Sig Kits
 

Ihave built a few Great Planes and a couple of Goldberg models. Ihave heard nothing but good things about Sig so I figure its about time I built one of those. Which would you guys suggest. And please. Lets just keep it Sig.

RE: Sig Kits
 

High Steve. I have built a bunch of the SIG kits over the years. I use the 60 size 4* to teach building with. It's a fun one to bash. My club had a racing class for just the SIG Kavalier trying to get the guys into building. The engine used in this class was the OS .46. The idea really didn't catch on but I built a lot of them for club members that wanted to race the class. Not only is it a great build and a fast little plane but at the end of the day you still had a really fun sport/stunt plane. It is one of my favorite builds and planes. With SIG just pick out the one that you like best, you can't go wrong with any of them.

RE: Sig Kits
 

You can't go wrong with a Sig kit Steve. So it just depends on what you want in a plane. If I had to pick one it would be the Hog Bipe. Goes together well ( a LOT less carving/shaping than the Astro Hog) and flys like a dream. Besides, 2 wings are always better than 1 :)

RE: Sig Kits
 

I have a Great Planes Super Aeromaster Bipe.  A pretty plane but it is a tough one (for me) to fly.  I have actually retired it for the season and hope by next year I am alot better pilot.  Currently flying the Tiger 60 and almost finished with the TF p-51.

RE: Sig Kits
 

I have built the Kadet MKII, kougar MKII, Herr Aquastar, and currently building a 1/3 Spacewalker.  All have been great kits and good flyers.  The Kougar is a nice build and a versatile plane.

RE: Sig Kits
 

I was actually considering the 1/4 Spacewalker due to transportation issues. Is that a one or two piece wing on the 1/3rd? . I wonder if a gas engine would be OK on the 1/4?

Itook a better look at the Sig website and Isee the 1/3 is a 3 piece wing. Did you have a build thread or post any pics of your build?

RE: Sig Kits
 

Steve, have you gone and looked at there web site?? Too many years ago I had a big one and as i recall it was a one piece wing. I just really can't remember and I didn't build the plane. I do recall it's big stunt, not a true knife edge but I used to fly it low to the runway at about a 45 or 50 degree bank, it looked way cool. It was covered in the natural colored Solar tex and I recall it had a Zinoah in it, a G-38?? I can't even remember that any longer. A very fun plane

RE: Sig Kits
 

Yes I have a build thread, see http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10..._8/key_/tm.htm

I am using a TGY 52 cc. You could use a smaller gasser on the 1/4 scale. As you know the 1/4 has a 1 piece wing. The 1/3 has a 3 piece wing.

RE: Sig Kits
 

I have built and flown lots of Sig airplanes, loved every one!! You know, talking about the 1/4 scale spacewalker, I bet the DLE-20 would be an SUPER match for nice scale and sporty type flying. I suspect that you could jam a DLE-30 on the front and make a pretty neat hotrod out of it.I am also a big fan of the 4-star series. All very nice airplanes.

RE: Sig Kits
 

I have built the Hog Bipe, SSE, kadet lt40, Kadet Mark II, 1/4 Spacewalker, and a 4 star 40. I have no bad things to say about them. The instructions, plans, and quality of the kit is just awsome.

I guess there was one little thing wrong. On my LT-40, some of the die cut wing ribs were die crunched, but a quick call and 2 days of waiting fixed that real easy.

The SSE kit by far is the best engineered and easiest to assemble in my opinoin. All laser cut, nice hardware package, and great plans and instruction manual makes it great for a beginner also.

Good Luck in choosing!

Jason

RE: Sig Kits
 

Did you happen to get the LT 40 during the time SIG was having a lot of problems before they sold out? Dies have a life span and manufactures tend to use them sometimes way past there usefulness. That last CG Cub I built the die cutting was so bad even running the parts through the over head sander wasn't a lot of help. SIG usually has no problem but once in a while??

RE: Sig Kits
 

I've done 2 Somethin' Extras (working on 3rd), 2 4Star60's, Hob Bipe, LT40 and Kadet Senior. Instructions are excellent. Only problem that I've encountered has been hard / heavy balsa. Easy enough for me to visit my LHS for replacements if necessary. Ton of build threads with and without bashes. Any question that may come up during your build can be quickly resolved by the RCU fraternity. Except for Gray Beard - he's never really built anything - he's just got us all thinkin' he's God's gift to building ...

JUST  KIDDIN" GENE ... HONEST [&:] Please keep your Daisy in the closet ...

RE: Sig Kits
 

My cover has been blown!!!:D

RE: Sig Kits
 

Smith Miniplane!

I love mine. It has no bad habits, looks great, a always gets attention at the field. [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4870668/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]Have a look at this thread[/link] for a bunch of build pictures and a bunch of finished ones. Don't take the comments about bad ground handling too seriously; mine's as gentle as can be.

RE: Sig Kits
 

Can you compare the flight characteristics of the Smith vs. the Hog Bipe? Just wondering if I should build a plane around my Smith Mini cowl?

RE: Sig Kits
 

Agreed on a GREAT airplane, but HORRIBLE advice!!!!!

I have never seen one easy to control on the ground. It can be controlled, but it takes a long time to master it.

I've probably built 5 of these, and had my own flying for about 10 years. Ground LOOPING QUEEN!!! Unless you learn to master it, and it won't happen over night. It has probably been since 2005 since I flat spun mine into the ground. I haven't flown one since, and I know I wouldn't ever be able to handle take offs like I did for a while.

Cubs are bad enough with ground looping(of course, mine were always overpowered-not so with the miniplane), but multiply that by 3, and you get an idea what you're dealing with.


Brian

RE: Sig Kits
 

I guess you CAN learn something every day :)

RE: Sig Kits
 

I love SIG aircraft!!!! I once bought a Goldberg Super Chipmunk...read the directions...put them back in the box...and returned it to the hobby store...too much hassle and I'm a licensed aircraft mechanic!!!! :)
I started with the Kadet MkI...then the MkII...the Komander...Four Star 40...Four Star 120...and the Wonder. I fly the Four Star 40 the most and never had it ground loop...a great airplane with it's Enya Super Sport .45 up front.
I have a Midstar 40, NIB, sitting in the spare room waiting to be built.
I have others...(mostly early ARF's)...BoxFly 20...Decathalon...etc...but I fly my SIG's the most...when I fly!
You can't go wrong with SIG kits...they are step-by-step with no problems. If you ever have questions you can always call them...I still talk to Bruce Tharpe (former SIG designer) once in awhile by email and he's always gracious and great to correspond with!!!

RE: Sig Kits
 

Built a Sig 40 Cub 30 years ago that was a great flier. Built another this year still is a great flier.

Was looking at their <u>"Rascal"</u> which is out of production. Anyone has one or has any input regarding it?

RE: Sig Kits
 

The Smith isn't near as stable in the air or on the ground but it is a total hoot to fly. I have never seen one that ground handled very well including my own. It's just a mater of time before you get used to it though then it isn't too bad. They do ground loop but like any of them, once you figure it out then no problem. They land pretty good though. I may have one for you in a while? Deal pending. I will email you if we get it and want to sell it. My flying partner thinks he may want to build it?

RE: Sig Kits
 

The darned thing lands at speeds slower than a trainer too....

VERY light wing loading. Even at 6.5lbs like mine was.

Brian

RE: Sig Kits
 

An easy fix for ground looping is to adjust the rudder for very little travel on low rate for takeoff/landing and switch to higher rate for flying!!!!!

RE: Sig Kits
 

If you have a need for speed go with a Sig King Kobra. Put a good 61 on it with a tuned pipe and retracts and you have a very fun airplane. I fly mine with a Rossi 61 RE. After over five years of flying it is in rework getting retracts and new covering. This time fiberglass and paint.

I have a Kougar with a Rossi 45 and a mini pipe. 5.5 lbs of unlimited vertical fun. My fourth one. I love it for a everyday flier.

I think any SIG kit you choose you will make a good choice. The kits are veterans of YEARS of production. Many have been around since the 70's.

I HAD the Sig Sun Dancer 50 bipe with a ASP 61 four stroke. It met its demise after a dozen flights with my first midair in over twenty years of flying. My midair was with a friend flying a Sig Something Extra. Not much left of either one after a nose to nose.

But overall the quality of Sig kits is top notch! I have a spare Kougar and King Kobra kit in reserve just in case. Both of those build fast too.

RE: Sig Kits
 

I've built three 4* 60s, an Astro Hog, a Hog Bipe and a LT 40. Getting ready to build the 1/4 scale Spacewalker. All of them were great builds and great flying planes. The 4* 60 series is probably the best I've ever flown. Reducing the size of the wing by 1 bay on each panel and putting a 91 4 stroke on it makes it an unbelievably fun sport plane. You can't go wrong. Listen to some of the advice about the planes known to be difficult to handle on the ground. The Hog Bipe is one of them. You can tame it, but it takes practice.

RE: Sig Kits
 

Most of my planes are SIG planes. I have a 4*60, a 4*120, two King Kobras, and am expecting to receive my 3rd King Kobra kit in the mail very soon. Had a blast with an O.S. .91 in my 4*60....but all my planes are now AXIfied electric planes (AXI outrunner's). The 4*'s are fun and easy to fly - great slow speed landings (NO speed almost!). The King Kobra's are outstanding airplanes in my opinion. My taildragger King Kobra is light and very fast. My tri-gear KK is fast and is the nicest landing fast plane I've ever owned/built.

I highly recommend SIG planes, however they are having problems getting kits/arfs out to the flying public. I've heard there's a balsa shortage that's affecting SIG. Also, there have been management/ownership changes at SIG.