Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Well, I decided I want to build my first kit. After everything I've heard about the SIG Somethin' Extra, I decided I had to give it a shot. So, I've gone ahead and ordered it (and the three colors I'm going to cover it in) from Tower Hobbies. I'm going to wait until it arrives so I can read through the entire manual before I go buying all the other things I'll need from my LHS.

Attached is the color scheme I'm thinking of doing. I know it's not exactly a first timer's scheme, but I'm detail oriented and I'll take my time. I'd like to know what you guys think about it (I'm already thinking about losing the striping on the top of the fuselage).

Also, as this is my first build, I'm not planning on making any big alterations to the kit. I do however want to make a balsa cowl and mount the engine sideways. Any tips/thoughts on doing so will be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: Forgot to attach the image... DOH!

EDIT 2: Also attached a version without the top striping on the fuselage. I think it looks better. What do you think?

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

A great contrast in colors and a different bottom and top are where its at.

Enjoy,

Jim

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Looks like a great color scheme[sm=thumbup.gif]

There are tons of threads on making a balsa cowl. Especially for the 4 star.

-tychoc

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

I'm in the process of side-mounting a Saito .72. The hardest part was figuring out the throttle linkage.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Thanks for all the pics krossk. I'm thinking about making a more tapered cowl, but your pics give me good ideas for construction. Was it difficult to rearrange the throttle linkage for a sidemounted engine?

I guess I'll just have to search and read through some tutorials on building up a balsa cowl for this plane. I was hoping for some ideas from people who have done it, but I can just go find what's already been said I suppose.

I'm glad the overall feeling about my covering scheme is a good one. I thought it ought to look good on the ground, and still be easily visible in the air. I guess I accomplished that. What do you guys think about tips for actually creating that covering scheme? Any advice I can get before I get the kit will give me something to think about until it's delivered (which should happen between the 18th and 22nd according to Tower Hobbies).

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Okay, I've been searching all over and I can't seem to find a good site (or thread) on how to make a built up balsa cowl.

Can anyone point me to a decent resource? I'd really like to do this, but I want to do it right.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

The attatched pics show my throttle solution.

As far as the cowl goes, if your're using built-up balsa, you pretty much start by adding stock to the front and then just carve/sand/shape until you get what you want, then cut it off and shape the inside and re-mount. You might also want to consider that Stans Fibertech has a glass cowl for the SSE.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Some pictures of mine. Did not like the engine sticking out the top and exhaust pointing at the wing. Have other pictures if you need to see more.
Steve

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

And Steve's pix are where much of my design was inspired. (Have you finished/flown it yet?)

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

krossk
Spring and summer are tied up with kart racing so building is slow right now. Been working on covering and have fuse covered in base color. Flames to come in a week or two. Will take picture of fuse at lunch. My flying season is oppisite from others as most flying is done in fall and winter. Have been around dirt track racing sence I was a kid so that is the #1 hobby. Flying is a close second.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

h@h racing: I'd love to see more pics of the build process for your cowl. That looks very much like what I was thinking of doing. Though I wonder if it would be difficult to add in more taper to your method? (You know, so it ends nearer to the spinner and kinda flows into it?)

krossk: That throttle setup is ingenious. I hope I don't have to try anything that complex though. It may be more than I'm up for on my first build.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Here are a couple of threads on a balsa cowl:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2211878/anchors_2211878/mpage_1/key_balsa%252Ccowl%252Cstar/anchor/tm.htm#2211878]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2211878/anchors_2211878/mpage_1/key_balsa%252Ccowl%252Cstar/anchor/tm.htm#2211878[/link]

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2544857/anchors_2544857/mpage_1/key_balsa%252Ccowl%252Cstar/anchor/tm.htm#2544857]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_2544857/anchors_2544857/mpage_1/key_balsa%252Ccowl%252Cstar/anchor/tm.htm#2544857[/link]

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_376907/anchors_376907/mpage_1/key_balsa%252Ccowl%252Cstar/anchor/tm.htm#376907]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_376907/anchors_376907/mpage_1/key_balsa%252Ccowl%252Cstar/anchor/tm.htm#376907[/link]

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

More pictures. No problem on pictures but will be later . Busy afternoon.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Thanks for the complement. I won't boast too much until I see how it holds up over time. The real problem came when I reversed the carb so I would have access to the needle from the top. It seems to work pretty well on the bench, but it has yet to be proven durable on a running installation.

Don't be so intimidated by the build. This is only my second one. As kits go, this one's a piece of cake - just take your time and make sure you understand what you are doing before glueing.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

tychoc: Thanks for the links!

h@h racing: Hey, whenever you can get them on is fine with me. I don't get my kit for a few days yet, so take your time. I appreciate the help!

krossk: I'll try to remember to not get too worked up over the build. I've heard this is a good first-timer's kit, so I'm ready to take my time and use this as a chance to actually learn how to build a kit right.

Thanks for all the replies everyone!

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

More pictures.
Front part is three pieces laminated together after they are wet down and formed. The sides can be extended with the sheets that they were removed from. The sides are sanded to get a round top and a sheet of balsa from the hatch forward is formed and installed.


Gone Racin

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Thanks for the continuing pics h@h racing. Hopefully, I can make a decent cowl myself.

Can anyone give me any tips on making a removable balsa cowl? I was thinking about doing this for maximum coverage while still being able to access the enging, but I'm not sure how the mechanics of it would work.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Look closer at the pics - it is side-mounted.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Yeah, I just realized that and edited the post. You caught me before I fixed it. :eek:

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

I'd like to get some input on modifying the rudder. I've heard that taking the top half of the fin as a counterbalance seems to give more authority than extending the rudder surface.

Any thoughts on this?

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

I can't yet speak to how it flies, but I opted for both based on other feedback on the kit.
I added 1" to the length of the rudder and added counterbalances to all tail surfaces.

However, I kept the c/b on the rudder small enough that it didn't effect the flying wire mounting points.

(Hmm - let's try this again with pics...)

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Damn, I forgot about the flying wire.... I guess I'll just have to wait and see what I can do. I do like the counterbalancing on the elevator, I think I'll do that one. I just need to figure out how to modify the rudder (or if).

Have you noticed this is basically the kiswa & krossk thread? :D

EDIT: With special guest appearances by h@h racing! [8D]

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Well, I added a single piece to the top of the rudder to tie the (split)V3 and R3 pieces together. This resulted in about 3/4" of counterbalance on the rudder. I think this was probably as much (or more) for looks than actual functionality.

I figure if anyone else has anything to add, they will chime in. There's enough people building SSE's that you can find just about any variation you are interested in. Besides, it's nice not having the thread diverge on too many tangents. I'm not in a big rush to get mine finished as I don't have any plans to fly it before next spring anyway.

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

Just thought I'd post a little update. My kit will be arriving the 18th (two days!).

Also, I went to the LHS and bought some supplies last night. So far, I've spent about $320 on this kit. The wife is not excited. You can read more about it here: [link=http://www.kiswa.com/entries/08-16-2005/expensive-hobbies/]http://www.kiswa.com/entries/08-16-2005/expensive-hobbies/[/link] (that's my website, I wrote an entry about my expensive hobbies).

RE: Ordered My First Kit - SIG Somethin' Extra
 

So have you decided what engine you are going to use?