Howdy -

Finally got the nerve to build a plane - haven't done so since Arf's showed up- sorry.

Feels good to cut balsa, and the smell of 30 minute epoxy fresh from the microwave can't be beat - except for a warmed Krispy Kreme. Anyway - sorry to ramble on.

Need some help with the powerhouse for this plane. Plans show a .45 Enya 2 stroke - plenty of speed, but I am a Saito Fan and would like to know if a Saito 40 is enuf - need to be mindful of wieght - lite plane - less than 5 pounds fully fitted - not looking for lightning speed as much as I am for low speed torque. Might also consider an old OPEN ROCKER OS.

Also - when it comes to laying in the Turtle Deck - any tricks would be welcome.

I will probably post more questions as I start building wings and such.

Oh, and if you have one of these - what are the flying characteristics?

Thanks -

remember that bipes have a lot of drag. doesn't saito make a 52? that's the smith miniplane right?

If that's the Smith Mini A four stroke is what it should have. I tried A couple of 46s and the plane was still too tail heavy. I stuffed one of the older OS 70s up front and that took care of the problem. A good 52 four stroke Sato would be just about perfect for that little squirl.

Although I found the recommended c.g. position too tail heavy, with it moved forward to the lower wing leading edge, mine was a real joy to fly. Easy on and off the ground, good low-speed handling, and really yet very snappy.
I hope it's not your first kit! Also, those epoxy fumes are at least as toxic as the donut fumes, beware!

Built the Sig Miniplane years ago. Hope this isn't your 1st kit. If it's your 1st bi-plane, one of the most important aspects is wing incidence. Makes all the difference between a nice easy flyer and a handful with lots of constant triming! Those cabane struts can be a little tricky to get the correct upper wing incidence angle.
As I recall, mine was powered with an old Fox .45 schnuerle. Very snappy aerobatic performer. Easy flyer though. Mine was a little heavy. Covered with silk and dope and painted with K&B Superpoxy. I guess that shows my age! Seems to me, it did require a couple ounces of weight in the nose.
One thing I do remember was I couldn't keep the wheel pants on. Also the fairing on the landing gear kept cracking. Finally did away with both. Nice little bipe though. Good Luck!

John

I didn't do the fairing of the landing gear. Harry Higley's BIPLANES book uses the Smith as one of his projects, he details a good way to set up the cabane assembly. The book's well worth having anyway. Mine was in Monokote and applying the red sunburst over the white base was a huge hassle, I think Ultracote would be much easier.
I just loved this model, the way it looked and how well it flew! Wishing you the best with yours.
Here it is flying along the Continental Divide near Salmon, Idaho.

From the looks of those mountains, doesn't appear that the drought is over in Idaho. [&o]