I am looking for a winter project and am considering the Sig Citabria kit. Any suggestions about the kit and flying characteristics would be appreciated. I am an experienced kit builder so the construction is not a problem. If I decide to build this model I plan on replacing the plastic cowl and pants with fiberglass. The engine will be an OS 46 AX with a Pitts style muffler.


Thanks,

Jim

It's not anything like A trainer just because the wing is on top. It's A high wing stunt plane, I love them. I had the Decathlon and loved it. I still keep thinking about another one in my hanger too. I always show my students the plane as A second plane when they start getting into stunt flying.
As I recall mine was A GP kit though??? Been A while. Sorry, I can't say anything about the SIG kit but I can't remember building there Cit. Still, it's A SIG and I haven't found A bad one yet, just more sanding thennI like to do.

That Sig kit is a builders kit, lots of sticks. I have 1 finished but unflown and I liked it so much I have another in the box. Some of the engineering is a bit dated but still builds a great looking plane. Good luck on the build.

It is a great plane and a little more involved building. Just follow the instructions and you'll be ok. Flew mine with an OS .46 as well. As the book says, ALWAYS fly with the struts on and use METAL clevises to attach to the metal fasteners at the fuse. Plastic clevises won't last. Actually the cowl supplied with the kit is very good.

Im currently in the process of finishing mine. It has been a long build as other things keep pushing it back.
Yes, it is definately a builder's kit.
I made a few changes in mine: Instead of a bellcrank system for the ailerons, seperate servos were used. Instead of sanding and carving the wingstruts, I cheated and used preshaped struts. LOL instead of easyhinges for the rudder/elevator surfaces, I used Robart pin hinges for a more realistic look.
Now for the biggest change: Instead of a glow engine, it's going to be powered with a Hacker A50-12S outunner and 5S Lipo. This will require the modification to include a battery tray and hatch which is no big deal. The only thing that has me stalled momentarily is shaping the front of the fuse to match the cowl, which will be done this weekend. I also plan to do some interior work and an intrument panel. I down loaded a number of pics from Bellanca's website and got some very nice photos including one of the instrument panel which I can Photoshop to make it fit. the pilot is ready( Roger the Rude Pilot).
Tricky part is getting the cowl and wheel pants parts to fit. You may want to replace those with fiberglass ones from a supplier.
Overall this one will keep you occupied for a while. The kit is a great learning tool to advance to larger scale planes.
This is my 6th Sig kit and I still have the DO-217 to build. I still want to get the 1/5th scale Cub and the Smith Mini Plane, and I think I see a Kobra in the future, maybe even a Spacewalker.LOL
Can you tell I like Sig kits?

Hi, John! Speaking of Sig kits...did Mike contact you about making up a set of the Sig Liberty Sport plans from his plans? And, offhand, do you know if the Liberty Sport can be built from those plans (all parts shown)?

Good luck on your electric Citabria!! I built a glow version many years ago and it was an enjoyable build...takes some time but still fun. Can I twist your arm for one of those instrument panels when you make them?

Say hello to the guys up your way for Joyce and me. Joe

[quote]ORIGINAL: sqeakalong

Hi, John! Speaking of Sig kits...did Mike contact you about making up a set of the Sig Liberty Sport plans from his plans? And, offhand, do you know if the Liberty Sport can be built from those plans (all parts shown)?

Good luck on your electric Citabria!! I built a glow version many years ago and it was an enjoyable build...takes some time but still fun. Can I twist your arm for one of those instrument panels when you make them?

Say hello to the guys up your way for Joyce and me. Joe
Joe, Mike hasn't mentioned this to me yet, but I will be going over to his house Monday so maybe he will broach the subject. I don't see why you couldn't build from the plans, however you can order the manual from Sig. They usually cost only a few bucks. My plan for the Citabria instrument panel is to photoshop the photo and adjust it to fit the cockpit. I can make two copies. I just need to get a color cartridge for the printer and get started. It won't be anything fancy with bezels and the like but it's better than a piece of balsa.
BTW the large sheet copier I use does have a quirk in that it tends to stretch the horizontal lines a touch. It may not make a difference if you measure for the formers, ribs etc. From what I've been told, all roll sheet copiers do this to some extent. I guess it's the tradeoff instead of going to a blueprint repro shop and have it photo copied.
catch up with you later. John

Hi, John! Hold up on the Liberty Sport plan copying...might have a genuine kit coming my way. That would be neat, eh? Say hello to Mike for me.

Soft landings. Joe

Is there a chance someone might be able to copy a set of Sig Liberty Sport Plans for me? I have one sitting in the lounge room that I would like to recover and I'm not happy with the rebuild of tail section.