I'll be beginning my second build in a few weeks. I've chosen the Sig Somethin' Extra for my second kit. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for modifications I could make while building. I've read several places that people wish the rudder was bigger so thats the first thing I'm thinking about changing.

It's a great building kit & fly's great. You've made a good choice.

I didn't do much for mod's on mine, but if I would do it over again I'd go with a larger rudder & elevators (with counterbalances).

Some other things I have noticed guys doing is upgrading the landing gear and building a custom nose and ditching the cheeks.

I highly recommend a tank hatch. Some say it weakens the fuse strength, but I found that to be insignificant. Side mount the engine and cowl it. And as stated, enlarge the rudder and elevator. Set this plane up on dual rates, as it will turn on a dime! Enjoy

As Yel914 said, side mount the engine and build a cowl and I think a tank hatch is a must. Mounting engine on its side lines up the carb and tank center line for more consistent fuel draw and this is important. I have built one SE with larger rudder but found it doesn't really need it unless you are into knife edge flight. With a larger engine it will knife edge anyway. You may think the SE can't handle a larger motor but it can easily handle a Tower 75 if set up correctly. I have used many engines on this plane and this plane can peform with all. Engines I have used so far-- OS46, 61 Saito 65,80,91 Tower Hobbies 75. This plane is a great sport flyer and can handle fast of slow speeds with ease, ever with the 75. I think the Saito 82 would be a great engine for the SE. One other thing I would change is a taller landing gear from TNT landing gear. This allows larger lower pitched props.

Side mount engine gets you one other thing. It keeps most of the oil on the bottom of the plane instead of on the wing and down the side of the plane. Also sheeted the deck for a smooth look.

I think a sheeted turtle deck looks better, that's what I did on mine, plus change out the push rods and use a syllivan tail wheel assmebly.

I didn't do the larger rudder, but would do that if I was to build another one. It will not hold a knife-edge with the stock rudder.

-tychoc

How much should I add to the rudder? I really like the look of the cowled engine, I'd like to build one up out of balsa. Can anyone point me to a good how to?

Neddy,

This is the "default" page for 4 Star mods, upon which many of the balsa cowls at RCU is based:
[link=http://www.tompierce.net/rcplanes/sig4star/index.htm]http://www.tompierce.net/rcplanes/sig4star/index.htm[/link]

Search the Beginner's forum - there were a couple of build threads earlier this year that have lots of pics (many of mine...) and descriptions.
These should get ya started...
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3274319&key=SSE] Another Beginner Build - Sig Somethin' Extra [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3643212&key=SSE]WOW! Another Sig Somethin Extra Build[/link]

I cut the tail fin in half and used the top half as the counter balance on my rudder. Aft mount the elevator servo and put pull-pull wires on the rudder. I agree with the fuel tank hatch... if you ever need it you'll be glad you did it. Put a sullivan tail wheel on and I used the dubro plastic main gear... it's taller and keeps the rounded look. I power mine with an 0s50sx with a 12.25x3.75apc prop... it'll knife edge to the next county and back and has plenty of power. But like stated above... I've seen a guy put a 75 2 stroke on one and beat the crap out of it and the SSE will keep right with it. Great plane. I have pics of mine in my gallery if you want to look.

pine blocks and nylon landing gear bolts

micro servo for the throttle

Buy aftermarket control rods because the SIG pushrods/tubes seems to stick and bind. Again if you want power go for the 75.

Agreed on the control rods. Plus, they change adjustments with hot and cold temps.

Toss the CA hinges and use pinned nylon ones.

I'm planning on borrowing the OS 46ax from my LT-40 to power it, at least initially until I get a little more cash flow . I know its designed for this size engine. How well does it fly with a 46?

Plans so far:

add a bit to the rudder, maybe a counter balance.
robart hinge pins
sheeted turtle deck
side mount the engine and add a balsa cowl (I'd like to figure out how to make it removable)
replace the stock pushrods (maybe try carbon fiber, I know its probably overkill).

maybe do the rudder on a pull-pull system just so I can get some experience with this type of set up.

more thoughts to come.

The OS 46ax will fly the SSE very well. You don't really need more power, which usually comes with more weight.

-tychoc

I put that in too. No weakening there. It is a huge help though.

The 46 will pull the SE well in flight but won't have a lot of power for hovering or vertical flight. It will fly plenty fast enough for most and have power for tricks. With more power comes more weight as someone mentioned. This does have to be dealt with by moving the battery back and maybe a little weight added. My SE is a tad nose heavy with no lead and that is how I fly it with the Tower 75 and I can't really tell any difference in it compared to the 46. It does however make it much faster and powerful. If you use the 46, buy a Tower Hobbies muffler and go with a 12X4 prop for best performance as you will need it, unless you just want to fly around like a trainer.

Thats funny, my SSE will hover all day long on an OS 46FX and has unlimited vertical. Maybe I did something wrong? [&:]

Whatever you are doing wrong please let me know because my SSE with an OS 46 FX won't do that!!!!!!!!! Hmmm, maybe because I don't know how to hover??? Could that be why?????

Ken

Evo .46NT with Towers muffler. 15% Omega. Towers plug instead of the OS 8. APC 12.25x3.75. Mine will hover around 1/3 throttle.

Why the tower muffler? I"m assuming its less restrictive. Could I get essentially the same thing by removing the baffle from the p box muffler with the 46 ax?

It is a larger chamber muffler without a baffle. Some engines get more RPMs from them. They are somewhat popular and priced around $16, or so. I'm pretty sure that you will get more power over your OS muffler without baffle like I did. I didn't try that on my .46FX.

Even if the 46 would hover your SSE it won't do it with authority and would require wideopen throttle. With the 75 you can play low to the ground and know you have power to pull the plane. Plus the extra speed is a lot of fun. I like to fly low and fast over the field inverted at about 100mph just for the fun of it. Don't get me wrong though the 46 on a SSE is great but the 75 has soo much more to offer and only cost $89.99 on special.

I feel I have to inform you that I have just removed the Tower 75 from the SSE and installed it on a Shrike 40. I haven't decided on a prop yet but have alread installed the only prop I have which is an APC 12X8. Would anyone care to guess what the top speed will be? I know it will fly faster with other props but don't want to buy one now. I was thinking about the 11X11 or 12X10 but will give it a shot with what I have now.

Hovering at 1/3 throttle is hovering with authority. Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with what you are saying about the .75. I want to put a Saito .82 on mine one day.