Well It's been quite some time since i've been around these parts. I don't even think i was in high school last time i was on here, and here i am in college. I come because the past 2 weeks i've been finding myself bored during the day. So i'm considering getting a new kit to work on and actually take it slow and build right. What i'm looking for is something small, like a 40" or less wingspan, and it needs to be a kit. It can be a trainer or a second plane as i do have a little flying experience.

I've been looking around, but just don't know what would be good. I'm mainly just thinking about building it now, and probably won't fly this one till next summer. I'm just getting bored after class. Anyone have some ideas?

I've built a Sig 4* but did a terrible job due to my young and dumb tendencies at the time. I'm open to glow or electric, but electric would be something new to me.

Welcome back Chad. We hope you've settled down some and can accept some constructive criticism. It did go beyond that at times before but that's in the past now. One thing about electrics is the cost of the batteries, ESC's and chargers in addition to the other "normal" things. Let's start by asking if you have any of your old stuff left or are you starting from scratch and what approx budget do you need to work in? Dorm room? They get crowded quick.

Chad,
Welcome back. If you're looking for smaller trainer type kits take a look here: [link]http://sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmart.exe/ThumbsV6.html?L+Sig+zqtu1640+_Ddp_5fSearch1_02a01R CSigKadetSenior_01Search_02Index_01SubMenu_02None_ 01Menu_02CatProd_01Thumb_02Kits_20_2d_20Trainers_0 1Manu_02SIG_01[/link] . Sig carries the Herr line of planes, which are smaller sized kits. These may be what you are looking for. Look around on [link=http://www.sigmfg.com]Sig's Website[/link] and look at some of the other Herr Kits besides the trainers.

Ken

If you get a chance take a look at E*Star Models website; http://www.estarmodels.com/.
They have a pretty good selection of smaller high quality laser cut kits. While advertised as electric I know that some can be converted to glow. I built their Pilatus Porter and converted it to glow. Or you could go electric. In any case they have some smaller very nice kits.

If you don't mind going the scratch build route, there is great little trainer developed in the 1/2A forum, the [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2301186/tm.htm]LST 1/2A Trainer[/link]. It looks something like a Sig Kadet, has a 40" span and has been proven to be a good flying plane. For a plane that small, it doesn't take much longer to scratch build than build from a kit, and its a whole lot less expensive. The Tunder Tiger TT .07 should fly it just fine.

Hogflyer

edit: This plane could easily be converted to electric power if desired.

Bruce,
I know i have a jug or two of glow fuel in the garage, but i doubt it's any good for using now. I'll be starting from scratch. It's not a dorm room, it's an apartment. So it's the size of a normal bedroom. I have a wall where i can build.

RCken
Which plane on the link are you referring to? I also forgot to mention ailerons are a must for me, i just started flying with them, and don't like the big wide rudder turns.

oldvet,
I'll take a look there

hogflyer,
I don't think I have the skill to build from scratch, but i'll look at it.

Please find a way to build on a flat HORIZONTAL surface even if you have to stick it under the bed when not working on it. Attempting to build vertically on a wall is NOT a good idea. Seems you tried that before.

I didn't mean building on a wall Bruce, I meant i had an open wall to put a desk against.

OK, I was just remembering.

Chad,
Look at any of the Herr Models kits on Sig's website. They are all smaller sized planes that might fit what you're looking for.

Ken

RcKen,
What do you think about this set up.
Sig Cloud ranger
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXZS57&P=0
TT .07 engine
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXRWT3&P=0
Hitec Optic 6. I'm tempted to just got with a tower hobbies analog radio instead the computer one. I dunno if i need it.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXPTT952&P=0

Is this something i would need to take to a RC field, or could i fly it outside of the field?

I built that Herr Cloud Ranger. It is a fun and easy build. Great for warming back up to it (building). All the interlocking parts make it hard to screw up. I powered mine with an OS .10 LA and it still makes everyone stop and watch when I fly it. If you have the time do a search for "Herr Cloud Ranger" on Youtube and you may find my video of it flying with my set up. I also have the same user name on Youtube so you could find it that way too.

mr67,
I saw your video. I think this could be quite a fun plane.

Well I think i'm going to go with the herr kit. I think i'll just do an order from Tower as i have no clue where the LHS is here in auburn, and it'll be a bit cheaper.
What all should i order as far as building supplies?I'm trying to keep it to a minimum. I'm thinking the following:
CA (How much?)
5 minute epoxy
Exacto Knife with blades

Is there more i'm forgetting?

If you're going to take your time building it, you might just use carpenter's glue instead of Epoxy and CA. You'll need CA for the hinges, but carpenter's glue will give you a lighter weight build overall. This is important on smaller planes. You can do the airframe with carpenter's glue and then simply buy a small bottle of thin super glue (CA) at Wal-Mart for a buck or two when you're ready to do the CA hinges.

I have an Ace Whizard 1/2A trainer kit and an Ace ME-109 1/2 Kit slated for winter projects:

http://www.acehobby.com/ace/ACE4245.htm

http://www.acehobby.com/ace/ACE4249.htm

I'm planning on building them with Thunder Tiger GP-07 engines.

These kits are available for $38.99 each or $85.99 with the TT GP-07 engine online at:

www.thundertiger4u.com

www.infinitehobbies.com

Chad, I do not use 5 minute epoxy for anything. It sets so fast I can't get everything positioned and clamped quickly enough. I use 30 minute, clamp it, clean up the excess, and leave it alone for 24 hours.

I'd start with a 1 ounce bottle of thin CA. If there is a Hobby Lobby craft store in your area they usually have half ounce and one ounce bottles and the prices are similar to most online sellers and hobby shops. They also stock a limited selection of balsa, basswood, and ply. Nothing big, but at least a possibility if you need to make a new part or two.

You could do most of the build with white or yellow wood glue like Elmers, Titebond, or other brands available at Home Depot, Lowes, or Wal Mart.

You can get things like sandpaper (when you need it) at Home Depot, Lowes, or Wal Mart; so no reason to mail order it.

You will need pins to hold parts in position. I like the hobby store T-Pins but sewing pins from Wal Mart will also work.

Hobby Town in Auburn
http://www.yellowpages.com/info-LMS6...3Dhobby%2Bshop

Alright so the new list:
CA (1oz)
30 minute epoxy
Pins (I forgot i needed them.[:@])


Bruce,
I'll check hobbytown out when i get the chance. I'm not on that side of town much during hours they'd be open, but i'll try to make it over there. I looked online and it doesn't seem they have the kit that i am after. It'll be a few weeks before i order or buy anything. We'll see what happens. Just need a grocery list so to speak.

Chad,
I had originally posted, but it got wiped out.

I would take stock of how much money you want to spend right now and determine if you want to go further in the hobby beyond this plane. Do you want to join a club, where you can fly glow powered planes? In my area, I know of no public spaces that I could fly a "fuel powered" aircraft, so i started with electric.

If that is the way to go, I would ask if you want to advance in electrics or stay with this plane for a while.
If you want to advance, you may want to look at brushless motors and possibly using Lipo batteries. This would be in comparison to brushed and NiMH batteries.

If you want to use brushed and NiMH, I would look at GWS and take a look at their Motors/Gearboxes/ESC's. If you are intent on the Herr, which sounds like a nice kit, and you want some help sizing electric, let us know. There are good tools to determine power output and flight duration/weight.

You may also want to look at united hobbies for the brushless and lipo stuff. I know a few guys that have been happy with them, however, buyer beware.

Best of Luck,
Curtis
P.S. what are you studying?

Curtis,
Thanks for the help. I think i'll keep the herr glow, because my good friend is a farmer who doesn't care if i fly out at his place over hundreds of acres of cotton. Back in 2006ish when i last flied i was part of a club, which i enjoyed, but at the same time, it was a long drive, and a lot of money for a paved runway and a lot more people in the sky. I have no idea if this will be a one plane thing, or if i'll actually get back into it again. I'm not interested in electric, basically due to the fact i'm ignorant about it, and don't know anything about it. I also prefer the power and sound of an engine too.

I'm mainly getting my basics down right now, as i have no clue what I want to do, but i'm thinking Civil Engineering.

Heres my "grocery list"

Good start, sometimes hobbypeople.net have things in stock, tower doesn't right now from looking at your order, you can also order it direct from sigmfg.com, but if time is no factor, bundle all the stuff you'll need and see if they have a price point discount going on right now, sometimes you spend $150 and get $20 bucks off by entering the code on checkout. Get more #11 blades, the 100 pack is what I got, your going to burn through them come time for covering, you have an Iron and plan on getting light covering, I actually found that towercote is really easy light wieght covering to use and it's cheap to boot.

For servos, the Hitec HS-65HB servo is a perfect match for your Herr Cloud Ranger. I've got them in a couple of planes and they are proving to be quite durable.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKYL4&P=SM

Hogflyer

Yes hs-65's are all I use in small electric helis, lots of power, fairly cheap and great quality. But you can find blue bird servos on other sites and fleabay for cheap and they work great too. GWS is hit or miss, I've had crap GWS servos and good ones too, I'm curious about the newer electrifly servos, they seem cheap and have the torque too.

Hs 65's are nice, but that's a bit more than i'd prefer to spend on servos. I'm not looking at radios yet though. I still got a bit to worry about that.

just get what you listed, and start building, it will be a little bit before you have to get servos and a motor with covering materials and tools for that. You might want to get plain old wood glu for main assembly of the airplane, it will build just as light as CA but you can sand it and it gives you more time to position the parts and think before your stuck with what you just glued. Titebond, gorilla glue, or great planes alphletic resin. I use the GP glue the most. You'll still need epoxy for the high stress areas and for fuel proofing but I try to stray from CA as much as possible now a days.