i've already got mine tucked away for the rainy day i decide to start on it. i had the same thoughts of this kit being discontinued. i've watched the price go from 119 to 109 to 99 to 89 and i finally bought one. just felt it was getting too close to the end of the line.

MP3,
I found a mail order shop that lists the Miniplane. I've never dealt with this company, so I cannot vouch for them, but you can check them out.
...Steve

MP3

You can still order this kit directly from Sig Mfg.

-Bipes

Yes, the dealer in Chile asked it directly to Sig, I hope I'll get it in 2 week.

I didn't realize you could order directly from Sig. I also didn't realize that I forgot to include the link that I was going to include. If anyone is interested: http://www2.mailordercentral.com/quantummodels/
...Steve

i just got back from my xmas "vacation". im glad you got your camera back and its great to see your progress on this build. very nice work.

Thanks, Andrew- its been fun so far! And I hear you- after Christmas and New Years, I'm ready to go back to work...[sm=bananahead.gif] I'll post more pics soon, I've finished cutting out the ailerons and also fabricating servo hatches for the bottom wing.

Ilikebipes- per your evaluation of the 52 Surpass for this plane, I've decided to sell it and go with the Saito FA-62 instead. It looks like a sweet engine[8D].

[sm=thumbup.gif] Very nice choice. You'll find the Saito .65 to be a tad heavy, but don't let that bother you. Your Mini has LOTS of wing area. You'll be very happy. Even at 7.5lbs a Mini will float in for landings ( I've done it), and the wing is strong enough for much more.

I love this biplane!!!!

Thank you for wording it this way, because I'm not saying it is a bad motor, rather, I wasn't happy with the performance it provided for this biplane.
-Bipes

Cool- but I'm going with the 62, not the 65....the 65 w/out muffler weighs 19.40 oz., the 62 w/out muffler weighs 16.54 oz. and will swing a 13x6 @ 9900 according to the specs. I'm chomping at the bit!

Haven't heard much for a while. Just thought I'd bring the thread up again. Any more info-anyone?

'Bipes, I guess you're going to be keeping me honest, here!

Some info, no pics- just lazy. Lets see, I've...


Fabricated some flanged wheel collars for the wheel pants by soldering copper washers of an appropriate size to 1/8" wheel collars.

Cut out the ailerons from the bottom wing, fabricated and installed servo hatches for a dual-servo setup- also installed hardpoints for control arms.

Got all the holes drilled for hinge points, all control surfaces ready to cover (I think...!).

Started applying the balsa trim to the landing gear and cabane struts.

Installed the hardpoints for the N-struts.

Sanded, sanded, sanded some more.... the list goes on. Oh man I'm buried in the fiddle-work now[>:]

I got to fly my Mini Ultra Stick today, though-- thank goodness I can simply step out my front door and fly- there's a park next door. [8D]

How do you plan to mount the N struts to the wings. I've got to be honest, the way it tells you isn't that great. I found myself revising this procedure.

Dual Servo's? Are you using mini servos? I'd like to see your install.

what are you using to cover this bird? when i get mine started i want to try koverall. i dont like the shiny monokote look

Bipes- What in particular did you not like about the N-strut attachments, and what did you do differently? I'm pretty sure that I will end up reinforcing the N-strut hardpoints, and I'm also considering using some sort of bolt/nylon nut combo instead of the provided screws- maybe somehow mount the nylon nut inside the wing... you get me?

Andrew- I'm just going with straight Moneykote; I think it will still look nice, and I'm really not in the mood to learn a new covering method for this project.[:'(]

I'll post some progress pics this evening.[8D]
Here's a pic of the covering scheme I'm going for.

OK, a few pics of progress-to-date.

Homemade flanged wheel collars! - for those of you building this kit, I couldn't find them for sale anywhere, so I just soldered 1/8" I.D. collars to copper washers, and drilled holes according to the plans.

Here's an example of the balsa trim that goes on all the wires- cabanes and L.G.

Glue it on, fill the spaces, sand it to shape, paint it.

*$^%&#@ fiddle work!

The cowl really shines up nice without the coating of balsa dust....

More later, dinnertime now. Homemade eggplant parmesan [8D]

I would've waited to paint the cowl untill all the butcher work could be cleaned up. Looks good though!

I used hard balsa blocks and blind nuts in the wing. I looped both ends of the mounting wires for each strut, and bent then to a 90 degree angle, and put a 2/56 allen head bolt through the loop. I'll post some picks a little later.

If you can see it, maybe this will show what I'm talking about.

[img][/img]

OK, don't mind me as I pick my teeth...


Ilikebipes, that sure is one pretty Smithy! I can't see the detail of your N-struts, though- but I think I get you.

Here's a picture of my servo hatch, starboard side. Its just a mock-up, nothing screwed in yet. I know the holes for the hinge points look godawful, but after they are glued they'll be filled, no one will ever know.

I'm using these little gems for all control surfaces, and an HS-81 for throttle. These new high-torque/high-speed mini servos are great! Save weight without a sacrifice in performance.

An exterior view of the hatch...

the gap that you see will be filled with a cap strip, basically.

I'll have more later.

a mod that i did with my mini, is in between the landing gear spars, i made an access panel to get into the area under the fuel tank, that is where i mounted my battery. i didnt need to add any extra weight to balance it at all. ill get some pics up later.