RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Crash,

I would expect your OS40FX with the 11X5 or 11X6 to be just about a perfect 2 stroke fit for this airplane.

My “Smith” is now retired. Still in one piece and a hanger queen. Over the years I had three different engines in mine.

K&B 40 (the old 4011 with a perry carb) 10X6 prop
OS 45 FSR 10X7 - 11X6
ST G51 12X5 – 12X6 – 13X4

For me, the best all around combination was the 45 with 11X6. It had extra power in reserve. I did not fly it at full throttle except in loops and verticals, like in stall turns.

The old K&B 40 flew it probably very scale like and certainly was not over powered. (your 40FX will have much more power than this engine did)

The ST 51 had way more power than needed. Best prop combo with it was the 12X6.

There are a few video links posted in this thread somewhere. As I remember, the 45 was in it for all of those videos.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Got the Smith all finished up and put 3 flights on her today. it was a beautiful late afternoon here today. ( sunny, clear sky and about 85 degrees ). Ran three tanks through the Magnum 52. This is a great little engine. let her roll down the runway to pick up good speed and lifted her off. Couple of clicks of down elevator and left aileron and we were good to go. fun little plane to fly. The smith is very agile and what an easy plane to land. I was a little concerned about the gear but she lands so soft. For me the CG on the plans was right on. Had a ton of fun building and flying this cool little plane. Hope to see more built and posted on this thread.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hate to say this, but I even though I love the looks of it, I may bring the SMP kit to a swap meet in a couple of weeks. Looked at some of the other projects and decided to complete the Harvard and have a larger BUSA EAA Bipe kit that would be a better fit for one of my 4-strokes. (Saito 91). Trying to lighten the number of 40-50 2-strokes I have in storage.

Still, you never know.............

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

WOW!

Beautiful model. One to be proud of for sure. Thank you for sharing!

Brian

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Looks great and glad to hear the maiden was successful!!!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

After reading this thread I am going to get my Smith that I built about twenty years ago out of the basement and dosome finishing touches and install the radio and get it ready for spring.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

SPEED,

Sure looks good....
Congratulations on the maiden.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Ishould be getting my Smith Miniplane kit today from UPS. Looking forward to starting the build for the winter. It will be powered by a vintage OS40 FSR with a Slimline Muffler.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Very nice! Looking forward to seeing the progress!

Brian

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Well....slowly starting back on my SMP build. Some shots of the wing with wing servo hatches and one that is starting to resemble a plane. Was at a swap couple weeks ago and managed to pick up a SIG Skybolt still in sealed box, as well as a BUSA Phaeton 90 kit. So many bipes, so little time...... [&o]

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Be careful they come out a little tail heavy but not bad at all couple clicks of down and it flew solid, found out on maiden about 10 years ago, flew with a saito 45 4 stroke.<div>Fly's awesome</div><div>fly's so good I built a 3rd scale</div><div>now building a 40%</div>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">where would you get a cowl for it? i know about the guys at FSI and the "used to be" stans, but those were for the stock plans or planes. would you make the usual styrofoam/fiberglass and try to make it look the same, or do you know of other places that sell them? this is the only reason i haven't ventured into up-scaling plans. i have made cowls before this way, but just something to cover the engine. nothing fancy with scoops and such.</span>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

On the 3rd scale it was made the old fashion way, with Styrofoam and saran wrap then glassed over that. On the 80" you can buy from fiberglass specialty's.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Marko,

Looking good. I am jealous on the Skybolt find. I have too many biplanes already on the list to be adding another one anyway;).

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS">80"??? that thing got a hemi? http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif</span>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I will be running a 56cc gas burner. It will come in @ approx. 13lbs. all router cut parts,

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

RC Wings. Lookin very nice. Shouldn't be to much longer before she is in the air. Like the dual aileron servos. Wish I would have done that.

John

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I thought you guys would like this, My dad built this back in 1962, one of the first smith miniplanes around. My dad was the original founder of Aircraft spruce and sold it to Flo and her two sons who have now turned it into a multi million dollar company. I was a airport brat for many many years growing up around every kind of home built you could think of. And now just flying RC. The 40% smith is coming right along and boy is it going to be sweeeeeet. you will see a few pictures of the full scale here that my dad did and a picture with my mom standing right beside it.
also you will see it in the blue color the way it is STILL flying today. Of course it is running a 185hp motor now instead of the 65hp lycoming my dad test flew it with. Check out theinstrument panel on this bird now, this guy fly's anywhere and everywhere with this plane now. My dad passed away about a year and a half ago and me and the owner of N1G still is in contact. He flys commercial jets for a living.
hope you like the pics. I am a bi-plane fanatic i only own 6 right now but soon to be 7.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I think I may have just wet myself......

[sm=omg_smile.gif]

Brian




edit...

That full bubble canopy is BEAUTFUL! I have to build a giant scale version of this.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

hehe:D can you guess what one is the Model hehe.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I'm guessing that is a whip antenna on the pic of the 45 degree upline with the red star.

So, because I am usually wrong, I'll say the 2nd pic on the top.

Brian

Upon re-reading the post, it sounds like they are all full scale.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

yes it is a whip, and yes that is the Model :) covered in the same material my dads full size was covered in and painted with the same paint as the full size. and stitched also. You know what the neatest thing was about this plane is my dad sold it in 1969 as i guess he needed the money back then and i was only 13 at the time, but about 6 years ago the gentleman that owns it now called my dad and said hey Norm I am going to be in Albuquerque NM next week with NIG would love for you to meet me at the airport well that is a no brainier as The whole family was so excited my brother flew in from CA and me and mom and dad and brother went to the little airport where he flew into and of course we got there about an hour before he was to show up, and all of a sudden we heard the Barking sound of this straight pipped 185HP come across the deck about 4ft at approx 120mph and pulled it vert. with a torque roll right before our eyes then came around again this time INVERTED about 20ft off the deck and then brought her in for a be U T full 3 point landing and rolled right up to our family and shut her down and got out and gave each of us a hug and Handed my dad a set of Keys to the Plane with a key chain that said DAD on it. Let me tell you there was not a dry face in the family.
sorry about the storys guys but Dad and I were really close. All you guys flying the DSA smith enjoy and remember flyem low.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hi John,
very nice plane you've built.
I just wanted to ask you what you did with wing incidence and engine thrust?
Did you follow the plans 0 deg everywhere or you alter something ?
One last thing , I am planing to use a Saito 65 Do you think its O.K. for this model or it will be overpowered ?

Thank you very much,
Thanos.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I ran everything at zero, I ran a Saito 45 and it was pleanty. I think if you go with that big it will be real twitchy . I would watch the inputs on elev. and ailerons as it will be.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I'm curious about using a Saito 65 on the Smith as well. I'm thinking about buying one today from a guy on craigslist. He has a Saito FA-65 Black Knight for sale. From what I read, the FA-65 is the same case as the 80 &amp; 91.... so its heavy. My guess is that this is a good thing for the smith as it usually comes out tail heavy. Power should be in line with a 40 two stroke engine. Accoding to Saito it weighs 550g (19.4oz) and my OS 40FSR is 412g (14.5oz). Power ouput is at .95hp. What do you guys think?