Trying to Identify a trainer
 

A guy has this for sale locally, 75 bucks, and just needs a transmitter. I hate to buy something like this used, but he said it hasnt been abused, and the engine is new, so I will take a look at it, and hopefully get it. I dont have any information on it yet, and am trying to identify it. Anyone have any idea what it is? If you can identify it, is it a good flyer? thanks guys!

trey

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

The fin is shaped a lot like the Great Planes PT-40 & PT-60, and possibly every other trainer out there.
What did the owner say it is?
What is the wing span?
I've never seen an ARF trainer in those colors. Did he say it is kit built? Or is it an ARF that has been re-covered?
What engine does it have?
What receiver and servos?

None of this really matters though. Unless it's a pile of dog poop it's worth 75 bucks. If it's built well and straight, one trainer is about like the rest.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

The wingspan is 57 inches. the engine is a GP42. Other than that, thats all I know. I can get more information tomorrow when I pick it up. The pictures are crappy, but it looks to be in good shape, and he says that it is. Thanks for the help!

trey

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

If you could get some better pics;) it would help but it looks like the old SIG Cadet fom bac in the 70 and 80"s

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

The Pt-40 has a wing span of 60 inches and a hatch just behind the engine bay. I think it is an older Sig Kadet or Kadet MK II. You might go to the Tower Hobbies web site and look at the current crop of trainers. wwwtowerhobbies.com . All ot the above were good flyers but the original Kadet was a three channel and many were converted to ailerons. You could buy the aileron upgrade parts from Sig. The windshield looks like a Kadet which was carved and rounded.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

it could be a sig mk2 without the cowl im not possitive though. if it is trust me its a great trainer and a deal at 70

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

def. looks like a kadet mark II wich i beleive WAS a 4 channel model. I have a partialy done seniorita at home, and illd say thats a darn good deal if thats what it is.....

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Definitely a Kadet MK II with out the cowl. Have on hanging in my garage just like it. I have flown several trainers and they are by far the best ones I've flown.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Definitely it's not a GP PT-40/PT-60.
Here's my PT-40

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

The airplane is not the issue or even its idenity most trainers will do the job just fine and the engine is fine. What is the issue is the electronic components in the airplane. Its a bit more involved than just running out and buying a Tx. You need to know exactly what brand the Rx is and if it is a negative or positive shift rx, possibly even a selectable shift rx The exact frequency and some others issues also thereare wide band units out there that are a liability as well.

Electronics including the Tx are the single most expensive part and of great importance. Even if the electronic equipment in the airplane is junk (For example Rx's that have been crashed in other airplanes) the airplane and engine is probably a good buy but its important for you to understand going in that the flight electronics may or may not be usable for you.

Mixing and matching of flight electronics and Tx's is fine and common if you know what the pitfalls are. there are many. Get someone knowlegeable to guide you through this and get info on what exactly is in the airplane.

Its for these reasons I always recomend that new folks start out with new electronics expecially if they do not have someone who knows mentoring them. Full packs of all the electronics including the Tx can be not much more expensive than just a Tx alone.

John

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

And if you buy a new Tx, it will most likely come with a receiver and 4 servos at little extra cost over just buying the Tx alone.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

75 bucks for a running motor and a built mkII that looks to be in good shape is still a killer deal. Even if the RX is no good, its likely the servos are in good shape. even if there not, four s3004's or other standard servos arent going to cost much...

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Well, I just got home from picking it up. I'm pretty happy with it. Doesnt look like its been crashed, and doesnt really look like its been flown much, or someone kept it very clean. I feel like I got a good deal, and I'm sure I will enjoy it. I'd say, from looking at pictures, its a Sig Kadet, maybe an older one. Here is what it came with...

GP 42 engine, new
Airtronics 92265 rx, fm, having a hard time finding info on it. I guess its an older one.
Airtronics 94394 servos.

Its all there, I will have to find a Tx to match the rx, or just get one of each for it. The covering has some holes in it, and they look like cigarette burns, honestly. I'll patch it for now, but would it be possible to remove the old, and recover it? Here is a picture, it aint much to look at, but it isnt supposed to be either!

thanks for everyones help.

trey

http://lewis.allen.home.bresnan.net/sig.JPG

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

most definitely a MK II Should fly great Give it a good once over to insure all is well with it.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

It would probably be a very good idea to recover this plane. Mostly because you could take a good look at the bones of it once you strip all the covering.

Should you find some fuel-soaked wood, or minor cracks, or joints without much in the way of glue; you'll be able to fix them all before they become flight risks.

And you'll get practice at the most complex of all RC tasks... covering. ;)

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Ill agree with that. Any clues on how to remove the old stuff? just peel it off?

trey

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Sometimes you have to heat it to melt the adhesive, but, most of it should peel off easily.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

I'm kinda scared to do it. I'm worried that I wont do a good job of covering it, but I would like to know if there is anything that needs attention. How many rolls of covering would it take to cover a plane this size?

I appreciate everyones help on this.

trey

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

I'd have 2 rolls of each color on hand, doing a 2 color theme. This should be quite a bit more than you need. I tend to ruin a few pieces, and make incorrect cuts, so I make sure to have extra. Or I make an extra trip to the hobby shop when I run short.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

While you're at it, you might want to order a cowl from Sig. That exposed firewall has got to be acting like a parachute

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

You don't really need to worry about the cowl/firewall that much. It's not going to create anything to worry about. In fact, as far as I can recall almost every trainer I've seen doesn't have a cowl over the engine. You'll be fine with it the way it is.

Hope this helps

Ken

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

I would concur with RCKen the cowl for all practical purposes is only cosmetic and not a real issue.

Now I am going to offer an opinion that goes aginst the concensus a little. Trainers are working airplanes with a mission which they usually do under all sorts of adverse conditions quite well. In most cases due to their hard life they become ragged cosmetically very rapidly. This in no way affects the ability to perform their tasks.

The point here is far to many people spend so much time fretting over minor cosmetics with their first airplanes that the important items like control setup, proper fuel tank setup etc. gets completely neglected.

Don,t start stripping the covering now. Instead use the time to find a club, instructor or mentor and have this person check the airplane. Chances are it is entirely airworthy with the ugly covering, its not that hard for a knowledgeable person to detect any real airworthyness problems with the cover on. Yea its ugly, so what most trainers get a little
ugly anyway. The point being you could be flying very soon and yes start a kit or whatever as you fly. Have seen many folks so concerned over pointless cosmetics that their training suffers and the acheviement of that dream is vastly prolonged

I am not real familiar with Airtronics numbers but I am sure that Rx is of the type that uses the old style plugs. This is not a real problem other than its goning to a source of much frustration particularly trying to just buy a Tx to match. Please, please buy a whole new radio set of your choice. It will include everything you need and potentially will only cost a fraction more than just buying a new Tx by itself.

Quoting myself "find a club, instructor or mentor" from above is the single most important action you can take in pursuit of that Dream of Flight.

John

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

let an exprienced flyer check it out and preflight safety check it. trainers get beat up so do't sweat the cosmetics to much. orientaion stripes or piano keys to make top and bottom diferent would be HIGHLY recomended. it looks like a early sig and i have never seen a bad sig (as long as no warps were built in or aquired)

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

John,

You seem pretty serious about the value of a new radio system. I'm sure you have good reason. I went ahead and ordered a complete futaba 6 ch system. That way, if I ever want to upgrade my plane, I have a radio that can handle more options.

Will the holes in the covering cause me problems? Do I need to put a patch over them? Seems like air would come rushing in them. I got in touch with a club here in cheyenne, and they have people who can help me learn. Once the radio gets here, and I get it installed, I will need to get some field equipment, and be on my way. I let someone at the club fly it first, and go from there. Thanks again everyone!

trey

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

trey
We can arm chair repair this all day.
All these questions and more if follow above two post get an instructor !!!
Tank hose servo etc etc he'll check all of these, show you how to correctly start the engine all of this good suff.
Show you the tools, nitro, glow power the list will go on...

BTW packing tape if holes are that small, fly that babe then another addiction has begun HEE:)
Rich

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Trey the reason I am so adamant about new Radio or at least a matched set is there are so many compatability issues along with other problems for example you would be amazed at how many illegal units there are still floating around out there from before 1991 that cannot be used. The point is there is now way for you to effectively avoid the many pitfalls.

We get folks all the time that try to mix and match or buy from flea markets and almost every case this results not only lost time and sometimes expendature of funds far greater than what they could have done by simply buying new full sets. Delighted to hear you went ahead with a new set, this is one of the keys to your success.

The very first thing for you to do is to truck on out to that flying field with the airplane. Network and met the folks (remember these folks in all likely hood are going to be your future friends, if approached with that attitude then you will do well) get involved and join the club. Let them look over the airplane and follow their suggestions.

Yes like like richrd mentioned above in all likelyhood all you may need to do is patch the holes with some packing tape.

Agine the single most important step for success is working with a mentor/instructor who will likely end up your future flying buddy. So get on out to that field as soon as possible with the airplane even if its not ready and connect.

Welcome to the obsession

John;)

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

I'd packing tape any small holes.. (or even big ones) Heck I used it for windows on the Kid's Eagle II.

As for the Radio I'd Just go get the best Tx /RX w servos you can afford if you think you'll stick with flying..
Brand is a whole mess of it's own.. I tend to go with whatever the Instructor has for a buddy box.

If you are on the fence hard to beat the $99 4ch JR setup..

JR and Airtronics are positive shift so a JR Tx should work with your Airtronics Rx.

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

Hey guys, time for a little update on my progress. My radio system arrived, and I'm really pleased with it. I installed the servos, and they will need a little fine tuning, I'm sure. Took it outside today, and fired it up. For the last few days, I have been putting it off, because I had a fear of sticking my hand behind the prop to remove the glow warmer. Today I went for it. I have a twist and lock warmer, so it held itself on there, while I used a dowel to turn it over. Once it got running, I was watching the glow warmer bounce around. Soon my fear was replaced with a new one. I could just see that thing falling off, catching the prop, and getting stuck in my forehead or something. So I reached back there, and pulled it off. No big deal. I'm glad I got over that. I started it a few times, and after the first time, I was careful about it, but I didnt mind doing it. Made me feel a lot better.

Yesterday, I got off work early, and it was a nice day out. I decided to drive to the local flying clubs field, and see if anyone was around. Sure enough, two guys were out there flying. The sign at the fence said "visitors welcome." So I went in, and introduced myself. They were really nice guys, and seemed very willing to help me learn. Both of them seemed very experienced, judging by their flying skills, and the quality of their scratch built planes. I stuck around for about an hour, and just watched. While one would fly, the other would explain to me what was going on. I stood there with a grin on my face the entire time. I think it will make learning much easier to have folks that are so helpful, and willing to help. They want me to join the AMA before I take my first flight, and I think its a good idea, for insurance reasons.

The rest of the stuff I ordered from Tower will be here Friday. Once that arrives, I'll be ready to take it out there, and have the guys look it over, and maybe they can give it a test flight. I'm pretty excited.

Quick question though, what do you guys use to anchor the rx and battery?

trey

RE: Trying to Identify a trainer
 

wrap them in foam, then just wedge em in.