Thanks Chashint, I am sure I will grow to like it.

I did not even follow the manual for the aileron throw. I maxed it out from the begining of the built.

I tacked the rpm of the Saito 91 swinging the MAS 14x6 today and I could get 8K on ground, is this sustained rpm?.... else, how to measure sustained RPM?

BTW, I have bench run-in this engine for about 4~5 tanks with 20%

My definition of sustained RPM is what you set the engine to for flying.

Then its 8k rpm.

Just wondering if the Astro Hog flyers here have also flown a Calypso, since its also from that era.

[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5425983[/link]

I have not seen one other than in photos.
It looks like an old pattern plane.
While I am sure it is an excellent flying plane it just has no curb appeal to me.
I feel the same way about the Edge, Yak, Sukhoi, Extra, and Cap.
They are great planes and I admire their capabilities, but I do not yearn to own one.
This is not a bash on any of these planes, just my personal taste in style.
Maybe someday I will fly one and the experience change my mind.

well the hog is finished, just need to find the time to get it in the air. will try to get some pics.

Great!! Wish you all the success in the maiden!

Cheers!

mine is finished too. If I'm lucky may get it in the air this weekend. Just a few little details before she is released into the air.

All the talk about new Astro Hogs being finished - you're making me want to take mine out to the field. Flying season is almost here. Snort snort!

V6

here's a few pic's of trackman's astro hog

Beautiful work!! Can't miss it with this colour scheme.

Well all you hog fliers out there I finally maidened my Astro Hog today. It's been built for probably 6 mos and between radio problems (which crashed/destroyed my Hog Bipe) and hesitation I finally got the nerve up and flew it. Flew great even with a good amount of crosswind and on a new field. I must now check out all my connections to be sure everything held up well and is tight and she's ready to go up again. Anybody else flying their hogs still? Oh yeah and I'm ready to attach some floats and try it off water.

Jim the Cub and now Hog flyer in NC

I flew my Hog yesterday. This plane is 20 years old and still flies great (has some patches in the monokote). I have a K&B .61 in it and this is the original engine (can't kill it). I now have another Hog on the building board that should be done in about a month. I will put a Saito .91 four stroke in it and hopefully this will give it some zip. I'll let you know what happens when I maiden it.

Great, I bought a Super Sportster with a K&B 61 on it and couldn't ever get it to run right. I had someone helping me and it just wouldn't run good a full speed, kept surging and not getting full power. Never did cut off and was able to bring it in both times but I couldn't figure it out. I gave up on it and converted over to a Saito 72. Still haven't flown it yet but hope to soon and would like to figure out the K&B. My Astro Hog has a Saito 72 on it too and seems to be plenty of power for me. I'm hoping to put some foats on the Hog once I get it flying regularly. I finished it about 6 mos ago and just now got it in the air. I was very nervous and would have liked it a little calmer, wind wise.

With respect to the K&B .61, sounds like you have either a fuel issue or a carburetor issue. I would change out the fuel tank to see if that isolates the problem. Also make sure that the tank is at the correct elevation with respect to the fuel intake at the carb. If you still have the problem, then, I would break down the carburetor, clean it and re-set the idle and high end adjustments. I have had four K&B .61 engines over the last 20 years and they all ran well. While they didn't set the world on fire with blazing speed, I found them to be fast enough, easy to start, and very reliable while in the sky. Rarely did they dead stick on me and when I landed the idle was dependable in continuing to run and taxi back to the flight area. Right now, in addition to the engine in my Hog, I have 2 in inventory. If you need any parts I may be able to help you.

The Saito is a good and dependable four stroke. I have a .65 in a Tiger 60 and it is the best running engine I have ever put in a plane. I am stepping up to the .91 Saito for my new Hog because I just want more power. If I over-power it, I'll do what you did and go to the .72 Saito. The reason I didn't originally plan the .72 is that if you compare the Saito specs for the .65 and .72, there isn't much difference in weight, size, dimensions, and horsepower. I know what the .65 is like and thought the Hog would need he extra power of the .91.

Goog luck with your K&B.

Great to hear you hogging!! Congratulations. My Hog is resting on the shelf for nearly 3 mths already. Maybe this weekend I'll bring her out for some fresh air...

Yes, yes, yes... Saito 91!! You will love it.

Thanks Capt Lou. Hopefully I won't need any parts and I can figure it out. I'll bet the carb just needs a good cleaning, etc. The guy helping me thought the needle just needed cleaning and that seemed to help somewhat. I just gave up on it too quick and threw on the Saito. I'm sure I will use the K & B somewhere else.

I have an OS 91 Surpass on mine and it is not over powered.
You will like the Saito 91 a lot.

The "Hog" build was completed today. Fairly easy build with the following comments:

I made a joiner from music wire for the elevators as I was a little leary of the wood dowel per the plans. Kept the dehydral at 12 degrees (6 per wing) per the plans. Covering is "Solartex" and a shot of "Minwax" semi gloss polyurethane. The windshield and pilot are both replacement parts for the G.P. "Stearman". Tailwheel is "Sullivan" and finally, it is powered by an old O.S. FS-70 4 stroke ( I hope it still runs O.K.). Later this week or next I will maiden her.

DaveB

I really like it a lot, very nice job.
The plane should do just about any trick you ask it to, just remember that it does it in a graceful manner as opposed to a violent manner.
I hope you like yours as much as I like mine.

[8D]You did a beautiful job. I'm flying my third Hog and it is also
powered with an OS 70FS. Good flying, I know that you'll enjoy
the aircraft. It's a classic.

Beautiful plane, DaveB. I love the Solartex. I use Worldtex from Horizon, which is the same product. It's the best iron-on covering I've ever used. I've been hitting mine with Brodak clear dope instead of Minwax.

Your plane looks so nice I dug out my plans. I had forgotten about the original power plant. Recently, a friend gave me a NIB Bramco, so I also dug out a K&B .35. With today's lightweight radios it could probably be done.

David

Nice Plane! After you fly it, you'll want to make another Hog. I have a Saito 100 on my Hog and it is not over-powered. I echo Charlie's comment that it is a graceful flying plane so while it will do most maneuvers, it won't do them in an over compensating manner. The one thing to remember is that it is very forgiving in its maneuvers so get use to it before you try anything fancy.

David, I was in Gboro today for a meeting. Been trying to find some fields around there. My brother lives there and has a son that likes rc stuff. Been trying to get him into airplanes. Where do you fly? I've only flown my Hog twice (with a 72 Saito) and flies great. I'm hoping to add floats and try it on the water.

Thanks,
Jim in Monroe