I have completed building my first kit, a Sig Four Star 40. This was a great kit for a first build, lots of fun. The build took approximately one month including time over the Christmas holiday and lost of puttering and contemplating with beer in hand. The information provided by RC Universe members, their build logs and the LA Aeromodelers club members were a great resource. I incorporated several modification into the build that were recommended by RC Universe members (and a few that were not): I clipped each wing by one bay, drilled vent holes in the ribs and shear block to allow for venting during covering, hardwood blocks for wing hold downs, reinforced the wing sheeting around the aileron servo, added 1/2” triangular stock to support the landing gear mount and at the fin, ¼” triangular stock behind the wing TE between former F3 and F4, replaced the stock control rods with Sullivan Gold N Rods, replaced the stock tail wheel with a Sullivan tail wheel assembly, installed a 10 oz. fuel tank and enlarged the opening in F2 to allow access for the larger tank, sheeted the turtle deck with 1/16 inch balsa and tinted (Rit dye) and trimmed the canopy. I installed a TT Pro .46 engine and Futaba S3004 BB servos and covered the plane with MonoKote, using the Windex method for the stripes.
I need to complete the control rod connections and testing. Maiden flight is awaiting the accomplishment of smoother landings with my SR Mach II and decent weather. This build was a lot of fun and very satisfying, I am looking forward to the next project, likely a sailplane after a couple of home maintenance activities. I did learn that I am highly reactive to CA, nasty stuff. Thanks the RC Universe members for their suggestions.

Thats a sweet looking 4* . Very nice job for your first build .

Congratulations! looks like you've got yourself a great plane! Love the lemon-lime scheme.

Scott

Great looking plane. In case you haven't found out yet, your landing gear is on backwards. It will tip over on it's nose when on grass.

Very nice! Should fly great. Do turn the gear around, though.

Looks great! I also tinted my canopy and I think it looks better than clear. It gives is some contrast to the other colors too.

Nice looking build there pinnedup - my initial thought was John Deere colors ... that's the midwest influence So what's next on the building board???

Nice job on the 4 star 40. I just finished one myself. I am looking forward to the maiden in the spring. I have an Evolution .46 on mine.
Good luck with it.

Frank

Pinnedup,

Awesome looking Four Star. It ought to fly as good as it looks. Good luck with your maiden flight.

Great looking 4*. You will enjoy flying it even more that you did building it. The only thing when you shorten the wing it will want to land just a little "hotter that if it was stock. I did the same to my 4* 40 & 4* 60.- The 4* HAS to be one of the best flying most forgiveing planes out there. I'm thinking about trying the 120 size next. I hope they fly as well as the smaller planes. Geez, I love this hobby !!!!!

Thanks for the compliments on my 4 Star and the observation that the landing gear was backwards, I'll spin it around. Checking the plans they do indicate the correct orientation. I am planning to build and electric glider next, likely a Chrysalis or an Oly II. The next glow fuel plane would likely be an Ultra Sport 40 based on the rave reviews it receives on RC Universe, probably should be a kit soon before they are also discontinued.

I intentionally put the gear on backwards on my 4*60 after watching another one bounce a lot upon landing. I don't have any problems with nosing over on our grass field, and I like the looks better. I rarely bounce a landing with it, but I don't know for sure if the gear position helped. I have the CG at the rear-most point shown on the plans. It is not the least unstable that way, and balances easily. Theoretically tracking is better with the gear back. Jim

Congratulations. Beautiful airplane you've built there. The only problem I found with the 4* was that stupid looking canopy they put in the kit. Shame on Sig. They are better than that. I trimmed mine also and put some cut down black electrician's tape on the inside to make it look like a three piece windscreen and a roll bar looking thing over the top. All in all, a beautiful plane that went together well and yours looks better than mine.[:@][]

Very nice. Your covering looks well done. (better than mine ) Let us know how it flies. Maybe some video.

Hey Jolly, you got a pic of that canopy? Sounds like a "must see" to me. Thanks!

I just finished rebuilding a 4* that was trashed by a fellow flyer. Could someone tell me the Where the cg should be?

The Cg can be anywhere on the spar. Smack Dab in the middle works good. Thats a fine looking plane and with the 46 on it hang on. I don't know how you like to fly, but try a 12.25x3.75 APC prop. Take offs are 5' if you want and it will slow down in a heartbeat and still good speed. Good Job!