Swager

My Feedback: (1)

Looking at the Super Skybolt or the SIG Hog Bipe.

I have built the 4 Star 40 and the Venture 60. I will build the SIG Somethin Extra this winter. Im leaning towards the SIG Hog Bipe due to the familiarity with SIG kits. But the Super Skybolt is beautiful!!



Suggestions or experience in this matter is greatly appriciated!

Bruno Stachel

My Feedback: (4)

I haven't built one yet. But I'm sure you will get a lot of votes for the Hog Bipe. I've seen a couple at my club's field, and have heard a lot of good things about the building and flying of them.

Hircflyer

Go for the Sig Hog Bipe............easy to build and fly............you will like it

Here's mine, after some small modifications

MathmanAHS

Heya Swag,

My CG Ultimate was an easy build and it flies great. You might look into it. When I started flying it, I was worried that it would handle a lot different than the monoplanes I had been flying. However, it flew as good, if not better than any of my previous planes.

Anyways, good luck!

p.s. I am ordering my Extra today...

plasticjoe

My Feedback: (22)

I second the CG Ultimate bipe. Mine was my first kit build ever and it was so nice. I'd build another in a heartbeat. A joy to build

Nuker

Ultimate? Well maybe but nothing flies like a hog

Bob

ps Hircflyer, I like your color scheme

plasticjoe

My Feedback: (22)

Here's my Ultimate
has a saito .91 in it
JR Equipment

camss69

My Feedback: (46)

A CG Ultimate was also my first kit, I had great success with it and it still to this day was my best flying plane ever... was...

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

SkyBolt, if your going to the trouble of two wings why not do it with some class?????

rc-sport

My Feedback: (12)

My Skybolt was a lot easier to build then everybody said it would be. I'm working on the Lanier Ultimate Pitts now. If you're confident in your building then go with the Skybolt. Does Sig still kit the Hog Bipe?

Hircflyer

Nuker.....yours is pretty nice also.

yes Sig still makes it.

Primodus

My Feedback: (56)

Another vote for the Sig Hog Bipe! Here's a shot of mine after a recent recovering job.

robert4u

My choice would be the Super Skybolt.It's a lot of work to build it, but it looks great.And it's a very easy to fly plane which is also capable of doing aerobatics

Robert

Swager

My Feedback: (1)

Oh Thanks guys!!

3 votes for the Hog

3 votes for the Ultimate, and

3 votes for the Skybolt!!

Your killing me!!!

Now instead of choosing between 2 biplane, now I have 3 to consider!!

I was actually thinking the Ultimate of a 2nd biplane if I like that style of aircraft.

Math, what is the size of the Extra you ordered?? Which one did you get, basically, which manufacturer?

Bruno Stachel

My Feedback: (4)

I've been toying with building a biplane since I got into this hobby three years ago. I've asked and seen and heard others ask about the best first bipe. The answers always seem to go toward the Hog.

Too me, the decision would come between the Hog and the Ultimate. Both have great flying qualities. The Ultimate might be a little easier to build, and a little more aerobatic - subsequently trickier to fly. The Hog is reputed to be a nice flying bipe, capable of mild aerobatics.

After it's all said and done, my choice would be the Hog. I prefer the classic appearance. The Ultimate, in comparison, is just too boxy looking to me. And if it's your first bipe, the Hog will be easier for you to fly.

rc-sport

My Feedback: (12)

Bruno, if you a combination of the Ultimate and Hog then build the Skybolt. As far a classic line I don't think you can beat the Skybolt. To me the Hog looks nice until you look at the nose, that open cowl with the motor sticking straight up just blows everything.[:-]

DamonTX

Hey! Don't forget the Smith Mini. I've got a FS .52 in this one but it needs more power, maybe a .46 AX would do it but she really flies great. But if you're deciding on one of the 3 previously mentioned biplanes, my vote is for the Skybolt. I built one several years ago and covered it like the box and it's still going strong.

boss351

My Feedback: (6)

Just to mess things up even further... I am planning on building a Flair Sopwith Pup next year, here is a link to a nice build thread on it: [link=http://homepages.tesco.net/~jimead/]Jon's Pup Build[/link]

From what I can gather in the UK these are very popular first Bipe builds. I have a Super Sportster 40 Bipe that I bought used and have been flying it for a while now, my first biplane, it is a blast. I am going for the Flair kit for its reported great flying habits, build ease and in our club here in Houston, it will be a little different from the wealth of Ultimates, Pitts, and the likes.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I agree 100%

That's one of my biggest gripes with SIG planes. Although to be fair, it IS an easy way to build a nose, so if ease of building is more important to you than good looks, it's a great way to go.

Here's my take on the 3 Bipes mentioned:

Sig Hog:
Pros: Easy to build, easy to fly
Cons: Looks like a Hog Bipe

GP Skybolt:
Pros: Looks good, flys Excellent
Cons: Probably the toughest of the 3 to build, but not outrageously hard, and it's heavy

CGM Ultimate:
Pros: Easy to build, Outstanding flier
Cons: Not for a novice

boss351

My Feedback: (6)

Just to get my post correct. The Flair kit is a Puppeteer. It is a 60" Sports Scale. I found them available in the US [link=http://www.thirdcoasthobbies.com/puppeteer.htm]here[/link].

On your list of planes, when I was looking for my first Bipe I tested a Hog Bipe and it left me a little nervous but I could see myself getting in to it. Like rc-sport says above though, the engine on full display is a little bit of an eye-sore. Before I stumbled across the Flair kit I was leaning to the Super Skybolt also, I really wanted a cowled in plane next. That is still on my wish list for one day as it is one of the best looking planes around.

Yes, I know my Sportster Bipe is similar to the Hog Bipe, that is, the engine is uncowled. But it was too good a deal to pass up and introduce myself to Bipes. I bought it used for $50 with servos. I have flow it plenty and am now about ready to re-cover and switch engines in it (was using a Magnum 52 2s), I am going to try a used Saito 65 next that is destined for the Pup later, just to get some four-stroke experience.

Bruno Stachel

My Feedback: (4)

I agree, and looking at Swager's original post, I think he might be leaning toward the Skybolt. To me the open nose of the Sig planes are a trade off between convenience and appearance. But he can find or make a cowl for the hog if he wants. I'm coming at this thinking of ease of building and flying. I think the Hog wins there. Especially if Swager is concerned about flying his first Bipe.

Nuker

Remember that Dan's Fibreglass specialities makes a cowl for the Hog Bipe so if the nose is an issue you can easily get an aftermarket fg cowl and invert the engine.

Oh no, now even more decisions

Bob

Jim T

My Feedback: (1)

Here's a pic of my Hob Bipe with a Stan's Fibertech cowl.

Jim

Swager

My Feedback: (1)

You people are not making my decision any easier!

Hog Bipe with cowl? Hummmmmmm!!

But that Skybolt is so darn pretty!!!

Now I may have to buy 2 kits. Trouble with the wife is brewing, I can just feel it!!

rc-sport

My Feedback: (12)

Geez Jim T now you really confused the guy. That cowl really dresses up the plane, looks real sweet. Swager, I have to say the Hog Bipe would be an easier build but definitely get the cowl.