I've been thinking of building Sigs famous Astro Hog and checked through the threads because I was looking to make some modifications and seeking ideas. I saw a couple of pics of changes made by some creative builders. However, I would like to see if there are any other changes some of you have made to update the Hog. Pictures would really be appreciated.
Thanks - Tony

No pictures but I have put electric motors in astro hogs. I have done it with great results. (Sold one) I have used brushed and brushless motors. I scratch built one 3/4 size from the original. Flew just like the big one. On my first Astro hog I had flaperons but not on the others. It took off in 10 feet and I had a hard time controling it at that slow speed! Not needed to land either. The Hog I made from the first kit weighed 9 1/4 pounds.

jim, what size engine did you use in the 9/14 pound hog?


have fun


Dan

Not an engine....a motor. Maxcim brushless with a gearbox. (3.7:1) 14 cells. I would recommend more cells though for a little more poop! 16-20 maybe. My cells weigh 2 OZ each though.

I builded mine taildragger version (you may order the gear direct to sig),^powered by os70 surpass, it's a great quiet flyer

I put shock absorbing landing gear on one of these. I used R/C car shocks. I have used these on a Tigerkitten and a Super Kaos. Takes all the bounce out of landings. I need all the help I can get.

Thanks to all for your suggestions and looking for any others as well. I may get into electrics in the future but will stick with modifying the present kit version. Salmonbug, I've read a few threads about using a .91 four stoke on the plane because it can turn out on the heavy side. Do you think this would be too much engine?
Jim, I like the gear mod, it's great. I think I just saw it in the current copy of Model Airplane News, was that your suggestion?
Hey guys, looking for more ideas on Hog bashing.
Thanks - Tony

it depend on the style of flight u want in my opinion.
I have plenty of overpowered modern designs (jett 50 whiplash, 32sx shrike 10......), but I thruly believe that the hog design should be fly trough the wings instead of the engine. Overpowered or not, your hog will always be behind modern patern aircraft. The best thing to do is to not overpower it and keep it in the range of engine it has been designed for. Make she a antique deco (I made it with red sunburst exactly like on the box) and a quiet engine and it will catch the eyes. Atempt to improve performances are hopeless in my opinion and will make it look stupid !


that's only my opinion

Yes that was my contribution in the MAN Mag. Got me a years free subscription!

Salmonbug, thanks for your opinion on the engine. I have a tendency to build heavy. I am looking for something different in an airplane and I've enjoyed watching my colleagues put their Hogs through the paces. IT will be a nice change from my other models that are more aerobatic.
I just realized you are from Belgium, I really enjoyed my visits there, great restaurants!!

Jim, again great idea and congrats on the free year of MAN.

Tony

we also have nice plane in addition to nice restaurants. I took this picture this afternoon in a static expo, you see my delta vortex (partialy finished) in front of one of our "small belgian creation"
22 Ft wingspan super constelation fly like a bird

Salmonbug great pic of the Connie. Does the weather allow you to fly it now? I actually flew on the real Connie the L1649G,again operated by TWA and called the Jetstream from Philadelphia to Los Angeles a very long time ago, a very impressive plane for its time.

It flies great with a Saito 91.
Here is a pic of mine.The mods I made were ,composite landing gear moved to the fuse,less dihedral,wheel pants,bubble canopy,bigger rudder,and fiberglass cowl.

Spicoli, beautiful job!! Where did you get the gear, cowl and wheelpants?
Thanks - Tony

Made mine a taildragger.

Flew for a long time with several different canopies/cowls/engines, and paint schemes.
Couldn't bring myself to make any big changes, and it was one of the best flyers I ever had.[sm=thumbup.gif]

Engines- Enya SS.40 K&B Sportster .45, 1971 SuperTiger .60 rear intake, and a (more) modern S.T .61. It flew great with all but the S.T. .61, which was IMO to much for it.
My 8 year old daughter used to fly it regularly with the old S.T.

Jetts

Thanks Tman.
I got the Klett landing gear and Goldberg Extra wheelpants [Aeroglass] from Great Hobbies in Canada.
The cowl I got from Fiberglass Specialties.

mine

hey jettstar , i thought a 46 was too small for the astro.
howd it fly ?

thanks

Dan

the connie is actualy grounded due to gear issues, but it should be back in the sky for the 2004 europeans shows

Here's a pic of my Astro Hog.

I have a TT .91 4-stroke for power.

Cowl is from Fiberglass Specialties.

Scott.

I want to thank everyone who replied to this thread with their ideas and pics. I plan to use a combination of your ideas for my new Hog, then I'll post a couple of pics.
Thanks again - Tony

Still looking for Astro Hog mods?

I decided to invert my engine and cowl it in. I shaped the cowl out of a block of balsa.

I think the tail feathers of the Hog look a bit dated, so I reshaped them, also! Actually, I borrowed a set of plans from the Sportster series, and scaled them to my Hog.

I've had it for over 15 years, and she still flies like a dream! I have an OS 60 in it, and she flies nice... no verticals, but do many full-scale planes???

The original (1st ever) Hog was only powered by a .30, (way back in the 50's, I think it was 1957) so a .46 would fly it like a Cub.

I had a K&B .45 Sportster, and then upgraded to a 1971(?)ST .60 rear induction. Both flew the plane like a well powered full scale.

Jetts

I've got my wings "in the bones" now. Will start fuselage first of next week. Any more thoughts on building modifications?

Mods I expect to do include: Taildragger (as instructions indicate) but with aftermarket tailwheel ass'y; aluminum main gear (however, I'm building the wings to accommodate the wire gear in case I change my mind); Fiberglass cowl which I bought from Fiberglass Specialties...I believe Stan's offers one too; Considering "rounding" the stab and finishing in PT-19 colors.

Any more thoughts, anyone???