I like the looks of that Saito 100 and would like to put it in a Bipe. Please add to my list.

GP Ultimate (too small)
CG Ultimate (too expensive)
Sig Hog Bipe (too slow)
Pits?
Christan Eagle?
Other?

Basically, I want a straight flying bipe with about 750-900 sq inches of wing. Maybe a clipped Hog Bipe with no dihedral. Hmmmmm.

how bout a big ol' WW1 bipe? Rich Urevitch has his 'plans and plastic' large SE-5 and Fokker D-VII that would handle that well. If you really love to spend, try out 3SeaBees, thaey have some extraordinary ARF bipes that could use a Big Saito chugger.

How about a Balsa USA Paeton II or 90' I have a II that
I will be putting around this summer... Looks like a cool ride!.

Jeff

Did you check out Northeast dynamics Bel-Air .60?

http://www.ne-aero.com

Second the Bel-Air 60 great flyer nice kit, also check out the Pica Waco Biplanes, really nice planes.

perfect for that engine.

mine isn't complete yet but you can see it as it is at
members.rogers.com/ctatham

The Bell-Air reminds me of the old Sportster Bipe.

The Skybolt sure has a lot of balsa shaping to do. Last time I saw that much balsa was in a Royal semi-scale kit. It looks cool though.

I actually did build a CG Ultimate way back when. It sure flew nice and easy with an OS 90 Surpass. Taught me how to do many many tricks. Never crashed it for two years then stupidly sold it in mint condition for dimes on the dollar to pay for college. I sure loved that plane.

not that much shaping actually. Most of the sides of the fuse are curved balsa with doublers. The turtle and around the cabane wires is sheet.

I'm building the skybolt myself, and it has a bit of wood bending, but like the last poster said, it's mostly 3/32 sheeting or 1/16. The fuse sides up near the front have to be bent a little to accomodate the wing bolt mounts. All I do is wet it and use strapping tape. I dont consider myself a master kit builder, but my skybolt is turning out perfect (My cabanes came out with perfect incidence without any modifications). I have really enjoyed building this kit. I've been working on it for about a week and a half, and I have almost finished the fuselage (should finish tonight). The wings are very sleek and thin, hoping they are not too delicate looking at the plans. Anyways, I have heared that it's not as aerobatic as an ultimate, but I sure love the looks of it. I had a Saito .90 sitting around and that's what I'm putting in it. I'm using pull/pull on both rudder and elevator, and using the Shell Aeroworks Trim scheme (I work for Shell International Oil). Anyways, I'll post some pics of it soon.

Stay away from the GP Skybolt. I've built and flown two of them. Although they fly really well if powered correctly, they ALWAYS come out very heavy for their size. This would be a great kit if you could get it lighter. I,ve tried everything I know of, and even left out some of it. You can not get it light enough to perform the way it could.

Silversurfer

What engine are you putting on it? All I have heared is good things about this plane..

Just ordered the Hog Bipe today. LHS $100. It will probably get a Saito 100. It just looks like so much fun. The type of plane that gets hundreds of flights. Just set it up and bore holes in the sky.

Only one choice, it's the CG Ultimate.
A 100 should pull it around ok but a 120 would give you unlimited.
For the money and the size it's the best flying plane on the market.
I fact I challenge anybody to tell me of a better flying 120 size plane out there.
Too expensive; I think not. :boxing:

Regardong the engine for the GP Skybolt. The first one I built had an OS 1.20 Surpass II. The second one had a Saito 1.50GK.
Both aircraft required the heavier engine more for nose ballast rather than for required power. In answer to your unspoken question, No, I don't normally build heavy. After 10 plus years of building competition gliders before entering the power plane arena about 20 years ago, i usually only build to fly, not crash.

Silversurfer

T Bob

I had a CG Ultimate back in '92. I agree that it is a superb plane. I practiced my turnaround routine dozens of time on that little bipe. Mine only had an FS91 and I loved it. The current price does seem a tad bit high to me. I guess if you factor in the f'glass components it's almost in line with other basic kits. I was never that fond of CG kits in terms of fit and wood quality though. My LHS says Goldberg kits are not available to him.

I'll soon be the proud owner of a Hog Bipe. Now then, how will I customize it. Oh the possibilities.

Silversurfer, Actually my unspoken comment was ( I assumed) that you overpowered your skybolt. When I got my kit, a little pamphlet was included warning the flyer of the dangers of putting a 1.20 on the plane. It said that you must power down in a dive....etc....The .90 Saito is the lightest in it's class, and apart from 3d, I believe that it's going to be a real nice flyer I'm only going to use a 700mA battery, and standard servos. I'm also taking off the wheel pants for 2 reasons: 1st because I fly off of grass, and 2nd to save on some weight. I've had this engine on a 9.5 lb plane, and it had nice response in climbs, and I feel confident that my skybolt will be of similar weight. Sometimes I just don't fall into the group that believes that more engine is needed to overcome weight, while a lighter/less powerful motor might give better returns.

Well,.... Today I finally got a chance to fly my Hog-Bipe with my new engine combo, "Thunder Tiger .61pro with a pitts muffler". It flew great with a 12x8 prop. I fixing to try a 3 blade 12x6. I love the looks of the three blade props. This is definately the best engine that I have found for my Hog. I bet the Saito FA-100 would be a great powerplant for your hog. Also just make sure all of your control surfaces are slop free and definately use the twin aileron servo setup. I saw one members Hog that just had one servo for all four ailerons and it had a bad flutter problem. I would also suggest replacing the tail wheel. I used a .60 size Klett tailwheel assembly. Also when finished post a pic of your Hog, I always love seeing how others modify their hog. It has to be one of the best kits for "bashing".

What about the Great Planes Ultimate???
even though it is a bit small what about the building
and flying characteristics ..........??? Any opinions!

Nothin' flies like a Hog

For great ideas on mods, check out Eric Kler's site on Fubar Hill home of the Hog Bipe cult

I finally finished building and covering mine yesterday (this took waaaay too long, work kept disturbing me). Most of the mods on Eric's site made sense and I followed them.
I also installed pull pull for the rudder; just because

If all goes well, my first flight is this weekend then photos will be sent to Fubar Hill for the gallery.

Nuker

I think you're not quite on target on that one. Because of the golden age styling, people think of the hog as only a "fly around the patch" barnstormer. Admittedly, it's no 3D machine, although I try, NONE of the .60 size planes really are . My Hog is a super performer.

The .91 on heli fuel is fantastic. I run the same 30% fuel through a Saito 100 on my Chipmunk and the engines just love it.

http://www.devino.org/mark/airplanepics/hog.jpg

Just my $.02

Hog Bipe to Slow ?????? Mine must be broken because it is a rocket with unlimited vertical on a 61 Fx and a 12-6 APC prop. Try one youl LOVE it
Brian

I can't belive this love fest over the ugly Hog Bipe.
You guys need to get out more.

Go outside????....leave my basement ?????? All that bright light...........No, I dont think so !!!!!

Hey T-Bob,

You want ugly? Get an Ultimate

Hog lovers unite!!

Nuker

I hope you guy's are joking.....