Sig Smith Miniplane build
01-01-2013, 09:20 AM
#801
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RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
ORIGINAL: KaP2011
How precise is too precise? I've spent the last three hours setting up the wings on my SMP. The top wing is 1/4 degree pos. the bottom wing is 1/4 degree neg. I know that both should be 0 degree. Both wings are level and square to the fuselage. Should I keep working at it? I'm a real nit-picker at this kind of stuff, it makes me crazy sometimes.
The last SMP I had was a real pita to fly, I did not build it but I suspect it was not set-up properly. I don't want this one to be the same.
I think I'll just keep at it until it's perfect.
How precise is too precise? I've spent the last three hours setting up the wings on my SMP. The top wing is 1/4 degree pos. the bottom wing is 1/4 degree neg. I know that both should be 0 degree. Both wings are level and square to the fuselage. Should I keep working at it? I'm a real nit-picker at this kind of stuff, it makes me crazy sometimes.
The last SMP I had was a real pita to fly, I did not build it but I suspect it was not set-up properly. I don't want this one to be the same.
I think I'll just keep at it until it's perfect.
As the others suggest....shoot for perfection! However, you may find when you reassemble the wings later, it may again be out by the slightest degree. Wood is wood, and half turn more on a screw will alter the settings ever so slight or even a change in humidity will have an affect. Will it make a noticeable difference in the end, likely not. I tried to get it perfect, but each time I put the wings back on, they were out a "slight" amount. Finally came to the conclusion that due to the small size of this bird, it is next to impossible to have everything line up exactly every time....but did get it pretty darn close with my tool and it flies like a dream!
Rick brought up a good point/suggestion regarding the stab. I put in 2 degrees positive in the stab and it worked out perfect for me.
Good luck!
01-01-2013, 09:49 AM
#802
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
I went back to it after re-arranging my shop alittle, (I was having to walk around too far to get to the other side of the plane). After I reset the plane, got the fuse level, the top wing was dead on but the bottom wing has alittle bit of warp across the wing saddle, one side is 1 deg. positive while the other side is 1/4 deg. positive.
Time to break for some lunch.
I've not mounted the horiz. stab. yet but a prelimanary check with a bubble level showed it to be negative. It'll need some sanding at the pointy end.
I can't wait to start covering, I love the looks of this plane.
Time to break for some lunch.
I've not mounted the horiz. stab. yet but a prelimanary check with a bubble level showed it to be negative. It'll need some sanding at the pointy end.
I can't wait to start covering, I love the looks of this plane.
01-02-2013, 07:46 PM
#803
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
I've got my wings mounted, they came out perfect after several hours of fiddling with them. I made the N struts tonight, I'm glad there was plenty of 1/16th wire since I messed 2 of them up. The 1/4 X 1/32 brass of course was the exact length for me to cut the mounting feet too long by 1/32nd and only have enough for 7. Guess I'll have to make a run to the hobby shop tomorrow. I've also got the cowl trimmed and fitted for the Saito .56.
01-02-2013, 07:55 PM
#804
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
I deviated from the plans a little when I built the wing. I'm going to use 2 Ace 8107mini servos on the ailerons and I put shear webs in between the spars in an I-beam configuration. I can't find any data on the servos so I'm hoping they'll be strong enough.
01-02-2013, 08:01 PM
#805
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RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
ORIGINAL: KaP2011
I've got my wings mounted, they came out perfect after several hours of fiddling with them. I made the N struts tonight, I'm glad there was plenty of 1/16th wire since I messed 2 of them up. The 1/4 X 1/32 brass of course was the exact length for me to cut the mounting feet too long by 1/32nd and only have enough for 7. Guess I'll have to make a run to the hobby shop tomorrow. I've also got the cowl trimmed and fitted for the Saito .56.
I've got my wings mounted, they came out perfect after several hours of fiddling with them. I made the N struts tonight, I'm glad there was plenty of 1/16th wire since I messed 2 of them up. The 1/4 X 1/32 brass of course was the exact length for me to cut the mounting feet too long by 1/32nd and only have enough for 7. Guess I'll have to make a run to the hobby shop tomorrow. I've also got the cowl trimmed and fitted for the Saito .56.
Those darn N struts were the majority of my frustration. Getting the 0-0 incidence at the fuse was easy, but ensuring alignment to the tips and trying to solder those darn little feet was a real PITA. Should be one of the last "fiddling" items left.....
Have fun. Have you picked a colour scheme yet?
01-02-2013, 08:20 PM
#807
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RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
I did mine like the box cover too, and it really does stand out in the air and on the ground!!! Only difference is, I did checkers on the bottom of the lower wing. Can't lose sight of it and almost impossible to get disoriented in terms of which side is up! Many different colour schemes that look cool in this thread, but my favourite is the red and white as done on the box. 
01-03-2013, 05:48 AM
#808
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Yeah, I'm kind of a traditionalist. Or maybe I just don't have any imagination. I got a 1/4 scale Sig Spacewalker in a tradethat is perfectly flyable but I won't fly it until it has been re-covered in the original color scheme. It just looks wrong. Most planes that I like, I like because of a picture of the full scale plane that I've seen. If they don't look like the picture then it's just not the same.
I've got to get some more brass for the N strut feet today so I'm also going to try to find a matching paint for the red Coverite fabric.
I've got to get some more brass for the N strut feet today so I'm also going to try to find a matching paint for the red Coverite fabric.
02-15-2013, 09:22 AM
#809
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Took a break for a little while and assembled a TF P-51. Now back to the Smith. I've got the tail feathers mounted and I found some matching red paint for the cowl and wheel pants. Had to get it at an auto parts store, cost $68 for all the ingredients and 1/4 pint of paint. YIKES!
02-15-2013, 09:33 AM
#810
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RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Wow, the cost of that paint is almost the cost of the kit! How bout some photos on the tail feathers? Enjoying your build, glad your back on it.
02-15-2013, 10:19 AM
#811
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
When the guy told me the cost I almost changed my mind about the color scheme. All white was sounding pretty good.
Here are some pictures of the tail feathers. I used a dubro semi scale tail wheel and robart hinge points. The leading andtrailingedges are rounded and cupped to fit very close, the hinge line on the hinge points are set 1/8" into the leading edges of the control surfaces. The hingelines look loose in the pictures because their not glued in yet. Everything is just fitted together.
Here are some pictures of the tail feathers. I used a dubro semi scale tail wheel and robart hinge points. The leading andtrailingedges are rounded and cupped to fit very close, the hinge line on the hinge points are set 1/8" into the leading edges of the control surfaces. The hingelines look loose in the pictures because their not glued in yet. Everything is just fitted together.
].....Man that thing looks good....[8D]
02-16-2013, 08:10 AM
#816
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Yes.. excellent covering job....I wish I had the patience to pull something like that off. Would loveto scale this plane up a bit to say 60" span..
02-16-2013, 12:09 PM
#819
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Thanx for the comments guys. First bipe build. Looking forward as getting this one airborne when the snow melts Next up, got
a Sig Bolt kit begging for attention. Be using a Sig coverall with a sprayed finish on that one. Mini is done with a mix of Ultra
and Mono.
Next up, gota Sig Bolt kit begging for attention. Be using a Sig coverall with a sprayed finish on that one. Mini is done with a mix of Ultra
and Mono.
02-16-2013, 06:55 PM
#821
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
I'm kind of up in the air for my next build. I'm leaning towards a Sig Astro Hog or a Ziroli Ercoupe. The Ercoupe would be my first large scale build and I have read that the Ercoupe is not an easy build. Ihad a chanceto flya friends Astro Hog and really liked the look of the plane and theway it flew.
02-16-2013, 10:49 PM
#824
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RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Great thread and some beautiful Miniplanes indeed.
I recently finished mine in this scheme. Electric powered, 5S and 500 KV Brushless.
It will be maidened this spring I hope.
-Wayne
I recently finished mine in this scheme. Electric powered, 5S and 500 KV Brushless.
It will be maidened this spring I hope.
-Wayne
02-17-2013, 06:14 AM
#825
RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
You bet. I cannot wait to get this one up. Power will be an OS .46 Think it'll be a decent
flyer. Gotta wait for this winter wonderland around these parts to disappear though
flyer. Gotta wait for this winter wonderland around these parts to disappear though