RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hawkeye, because my engilsh is still not so good ;) I've decided to give you some step by step photo ilustrated taping manual :D
I first mask everything. dont want the paint go where I dont want it to go ;)

1. The crossed paper simulates the wing. Take a pencil and draw (very lightly) lines of shape you whant to mask.
2. Take a peace of vinyl tape (for vinyl graphics, bilboards etc.) and position its straight edge as along one of the line you drawed on the wing. (set the corner very precisly). mark on the vinyl where is the second line drawed on the wing.
3. Cut the vinyl with sharp razor.
4. split the vinyl (not the thin corner, just opposite) and cut off its bottom.
5. Posiotion the vinyl triangle on the wingand if satisfied stick the end of it to the wing
6. slowly push out the vinyl bottom, doing it you will stick the rest of the triangle to the wing.
7. no comment (all glued)
8. mask the rest of wing using yellow masking tape or paper
9. ready for painting

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2161/masking.jpg
I hope this help

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Thanks,
I'll use that method when I get to that point.
...Steve

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hi guys. Have been reading the posts and getting some good ideas and tips. Have a couple kits (Smith Mini and a Citabria Airbatic Pro) and not sure which one to start next. Suspect will be the Smith as it will cost me less to get it in the air, and do not have space for another "larger" plane like the Pro. I was thinking of powering it with a Super Tiger G-51 with pitts style muff as was hoping for an in cowl installation and plenty of power for good aerobatics. If anyone has used a G-51 in the SMP...would be interested to know how it fit, and what performance was like.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

rc_wings,

I do not have a Super Tigre 51 in my "Smith". But I did put one in a 64" Great Planes Super Decathlon. That plane weighhs a little more than my "Smith" and that engine pulls it with authority. Yes it will fit in the cowl, You'll just have to find the right muffler.

on another note:
Back in March, I attended an open fly-in at a nearby club. One of the members there took various pictures of the event and captured a few of my “Smith”. Here are some shots that were posted on their web site.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Thanks Rick. I will likely use a Bisson muffler, so hope to have it contained as much as possible. Did pull out my Webra Speed 61 and held it up to the plans, but it would require a punchout on the cowl to fit. Suspect it would be way too much for this plane, and I cannot seem to find a pitts type muffler for it...or at least one that is compact enough, so will revert to getting a Super Tiger 51. Have run some Tigers before (40's) with great success, so hope the 51 will be a good match.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Who all has modified the ailerons to a more "standard" configuration in lieu of the top hinged method? Just curious, since I'll be at that point soon. Spent all morning yesterday aligning and soldering the cabanes. That was a treat.[:-]

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

All I have to say is, "wow". This thread is 2 1/2 years old already, and we've seen some outstanding workmanship here, as well as a great enthusiasm for the Miniplane itself. This is great! I just can't believe how time flies. [&:]

Its awesome, in this day and age, to see people who are still interested in building a kit like this. What a great sense of accomplishment you get when you're finished. Keep up the good work!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

All I have to say is I agree. It is sad to see kit building taking a back seat to ARFs. I am looking forward to cutting out all the parts. It will be so different from the usual die cut or laser cut kits. I'm a plans builder too, so this is right up my alley.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hi all

This is my first post on RC-universe :) and The Sig miniplane as I just have received all The way from SIG today is my fist real kit build :D and I'm looking forward building it and find it real awesome with all the help found in this thread. Thanks to all of you great builders who have contributed to this threat [&:]

Heine,Denmark

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

The two things I recommend to anyone building the smith mini plane are #1- beg, borrow or steal a copy of harry higgley's "Bipes", it actually covers the smith in detail for the areas of question, heck, it's on the cover! #2- make a baffle wall inside the cowl, it will direct the air over the cylinder instead of around it. The .51 sized engine will fly it with omph! a plain bearing 40 will fly it just fine too, so now is the time when you want to decide weather or not you want a cylinder head sticking out of the cowl. A small hot .40 will sit inside the cowl with a pitts muffler and show nothing but exhaust tips and a needle valve. A larger finned .51 will be poking the head out of the cowl.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

@ planebuilder66,
What .40 engine would you recommend for this little beauty?

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

An OS 46 would be a hot motor.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

OK sounds great, I actually have an OS .46 AX ready for a new plane, but will it fit inside the cowl without showing anything out?

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hi, Gentlemen

Just to keep the discussion line on powerplant...:

Using a OS .46...wich Propeler do you sugest?

I`m using 11X7 in mine (smith/Os 46 FX) with good results. Nothing outstandig, just the right thrust to my Baby...[8D]

Comments? Advices?

Blue Skies to all!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hi, Tiffoso

Witch silencer do you use on your Miniplane?

Or anybody got a suggestion that can fit inside the cowl?

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

With a Saito 56 you can fit the muffler easily if you mount the engine at an 45 degree angle downwards and use an 90 degree angle piece between the muffler and the engine.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Personally, I think that the Saito .56 was designed specifically for this very biplane!!!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

There is something about a four stroke saito and a biplane that is awesome. I personally have tried this plane with a 50 and 56 saito four stroke and a os 70 four stroke and I like the Saito 56 four stroke the best. But the gentleman was talking hot two strokes- OS 46 sideways with a pitts muffler.

Skybolt Biplane OS 90 four stroke

Ultimate 300 Biplane Saito 125 four stroke

Yak 54 Saito 180 four stroke- I know its not a Biplane, but the sound and power.

There is just something about the sound and the power of a saito four stroke.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hey, Im just getting back from a 2 year break (unwanted break) from the hobby. I have a trainer right now, and am working on a large aerobatic plane. I have the plans for this, and was wondering if it has any bad habits, or will it be good for a 3rd plane? The building bug has bitten, and i actually have a gf now that is somewhat supportive of this hobby.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

andrew66

It loves to ground loop! Other than that, It isn't a 3D monster, but it is fun to see in the air! It will draw a lot of attention on the ground as well.

It has a flat bottom airfoil. I might suggest a symmetrical or semi-symetrc airfoil change. It wouldn't be difficult to do, but then it would no longer be scale.

-Bipes

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I have no real drive to do 3D. Just isnt my thing. I have tried it on a sim once, and I would rather fly big loops and cuban 8s instead. I thought it had a semi symmetrical wing, but im probably mistaken. Other than the ground looping, It sounds like a good first bipe. I think scratch building it should be fairly easy. Its a pretty basic design, just lots of stick work, which i dont mind doing either.
Thanks for the reply

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

It is a great plane to fly. As far as bipes it is the easiest to fly - no bad habits on mine. Stalls are straight forward and gentle. Slows down fst to land. Great power and torque with the saito 56.

It has a flat bottom wing. alot of charater and great looks.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

The Miniplane wing is semi-symmetrical.

I didn't want to have to wait to dig out my Miniplane so I went to the Sig website

Kit Features
Semi-Symmetrical Airfoil
Traditional Built-Up Balsa Construction
Die-Cut Formers and Ribs
Molded Plastic Cowling
Molded Plastic Headrest
Molded Plastic Wheel Pants
Formed Landing Gear Wires
Formed Tailwheel Wire
Formed Wire Cabane Struts
Engine Mounts
Hardware Pack
Authentic Decals
Full-Size Plans
Scale 3-View Drawing
Photo-Illustrated Instruction Book


Don

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

hattend

You recieved bad info. The Sig Miniplane has a flat bottom wing.

My plans are right in front of me, and I've built three of them. More accurately, they are similar to the cub wing which I think is a Clark-Y airfoil. It is flat bottom and rounds up near the leading edge.

Everything you need to plans build thid bipe is on the plans. They are wonderful. You can buy the prebent cabanes and landing gear directly from SIG if you wish.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I think i might make my own, depends on the price and time to ship. Hattend's info is correct as per the sig website. They state it has a semi symmetrical airfoil. I think that cause i will be scratch building, I might change it to the selig airfoil that is used with the ultra sport and other aerobatic planes.... I will see when i start it. Right now i have to finish my current project, then will work on this one. I kinda want to always have something on the build board so that if i loose one, I will have a backup and one near completion. I just love building, almost more than flying. I need help! :D