I have never built an R/C kit, but I've built a few Guillows "kits " and I have their Spirit of St. Louis awaiting tail feathers. I'm 14, and this is my first real attempt to work slow and make it look nice, and I'm really pleased. And for $70, it's not that big of a loss if I totally botch the kit. Any potential problems or weak spots?

Thanks,
Stephen Ertel

This kit is a dream to build. Take you time and follow the instructions carefully. There are a few mods that will make you life happier. Use 3/32" sheeting for the leading edges of the wing. The 1/16" is suseptable to damage with a stray finger through it. Keep it light, don't add extra wood or use heavy epoxy where not needed. The J hooks in the wing can be helped with blind nuts on the back side of the wing root instead of just threading them into the wood. Use good rubber bands or plastic zip ties to hold the wings to the fuse. You don't really need the tail feather supports, I put mine through the ringer and they are holding up fine. The hatch-canopy is a little tricky, I added an additional 1/16" balsa ply to the top. Use RC 56 canopy glue not CA with the canopy. Good luck, it is a great plane. I hope you don't intend on flying this plane until you have a few years under your belt solo. I have been flying for 30 years and it scares me sometimes.

Jeff

check the R/C Report magazine for a thorough as well as a
subjective review of this kit!

hey bud im 14 to and just finished building my SIG SE!!! Its great, but heres a few things I would do to make life easier. Follow the instructions closely, there are some mistakes in there, the wing sheeting is weak, I broke 3 sheets trying to put it on one wing, and I even soaked the sheeting before putting it on! and keep it light, I used zip ties instead of rubber bands, just because the idea of a rubber band scares me... good luck and hope it turns out good, remember nothing is perfect!

Thanks all! I think I am qualiflied for this airplane. I've been flying for a little over a year, but I soloed on my third or fourth flight. Video game age I tell ya! I've been flying my Stik for about 8 months and I've gotten to the point where I can fly it inverted a foot off the ground(broke a prop once), and do a short torque roll (1 1/2 turns) consistently. I will of course start at the minimum for the throw. I'd change the gear because I'm a four-stroke guy and I like big props. Sounds cool!

Thanks,
Stephen Ertel

How many paper routes do you have to afford 4strokes, at the age of 14? you must have a cool dad!!!!

Nope I just save my money. I've put over $1500 of my own money into this hobby. And I'm having a blast. And boy did it piss me off when the stik went in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i ref soccer... make about 500 or so each year, cause u only ref during the winter! which is good cause i dont fly during then, i saved up 2 years and then bought my first trainer with a futaba 6txas and a os70 surpass, and the trainer was a Thunder tiger trainer 40! but as far as a cool dad... hehe i wish!!! or i would have like 20 planes! right now i have about 400$ and i want to get the topcap but my dad wont let me get my 3rd plane!!! ahh it makes me mad...

Had my SE for two years now, Love It! built exactly as plans called for. Only thing I've had trouble with is the tail wheel wire is to light and tends to flex, causing poor taxi control especially on grass fields and windy days. No problem landing and taking off, which is usually pretty fast.
This airplane is so forgiving and looks a lot better than a Stick.
Have a blast.
I'am flying mine with a magnum 52FS, plenty of power. Have so many flights on it the tread is starting to wear of the tires.
PS.
You can probably fly this airplane better than us old farts!

Man that sucks shortman! You know there are just too many cool things in this hobby. You can never have'm all! And you spend all your money trying to have them. I'm going to get a job at the local Hobby People this summer to get some cashflow for that '65 Mustang and that 40% Edge with a ZDZ-160...

'65 mustang and a 40% edge???? how much u plan on making...

well...I've got my aunt's 66 studebaker that me and my great uncle are restoring and it will be worth about $6000 so that pays for the mustang and I figure I can make a couple hundred working at Hobby People. I've just gotta get about $8,000 from my dad which will happen right after he wins the lottery...