Ok Guys I just got Sig's Something Extra kit for my winter project. I noticed that some of U added rudder extensions and counter balance ahead of hinge line, elevator also. My question is how wide of counter balance did U add to both control surfaces? Also would a pull pull on both rudder and elevator be a good way to go? I'm also going to use a Satio 72 with my home made landing gear to clear prop.

Thanks, Mike

Only added about 5/8 inch to the end but if you look close you can see what I did. The extra 5/8 was scrap from the kit so thickness would match. Added about 1 inch to back of rudder and used 4-40 rods for controls.

h@h's pictures look about right. You're not really counter-balancing unless you add weight to the extensions (don't), but it looks cool, is easier to add surface area (only need to add to one surface), and will give you plenty of control. I'm not sure the elevator needs as much added as the rudder does, though.

Sounds like you want to do much of what I did with mine. Most of my build (including lots of pics and answers to most of your questions) is documented in the latter half (or so) of [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3274319/anchors_3274319/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#3274319]this thread[/link]. I only have one flight on mine and I was VERY pleased with the way it flew. I dodn't really know if the p/p system on the elevator is a necessity, but it seems to work very well. I did it mostly just to see if I could to it. The Saito .72 is an outstanding engine for the SSE.

counter-balanced is the way to go (mass-balancing is not necessary - adding weight to the counterbalanced portion). You can even increase the size of the counterbalanced area to more than you see in those pics above.

That way you won't have to increase the overall area of either the rudder or the elevator.

Without these mods, the SSE has plenty of aileron action, adequate ele. and inadequate rudder at lower speeds.

I.F.

When I counter balanced mine... I cut the vertical fin in half and used the top half as the counter balance. I'm getting ready to build another SE this winter and plan on several other mods too. (my other SE had an unfortunate meeting with gravity but it lasted about 3 seasons so I'm do for a new one anyway)
I did pull-pull on the rudder, used a dubro main gear, added a tank hatch and plan on all of these on SE #2.

Thanks people for your input! Krossk I will check out your link on SE Mods.

Mike

Taller landing gear and a powerful engine will take your mind off your worries for a while. The fuel hatch is needed on all planes including this one. The larger rudder and elevator will make the plane more responsive but I like the stock ones. With the larger motor the plane likes fast air speed and the stock controll surfaces make for a very stable plane at speed and still has ok slow control. If you are looking for 3D then there are better airplanes out there but no better one for fun flying like this one.