This one has a OS 46AX motor on it. It looks practically brand new! As for the control surfaces im still working on the throttle but the ailerons and rudder and elevator I just guessed at. So it dont need much rudder huh? How about ail, and elevator?

Also I must bragg that I picked this plane up for $100, included motor and all servos, and even a futaba receiver which looks brand new but I have no use as I use 2.4g Spektrum. All servos work nice and smooth and I have yet to try to fire up the engine, but thats next

Also am I balancing upright or inverted? And does my fingers go on bottom wing or under top wing?

depending on the type of flying you like, I would start off with 1/2 to 3/4 on rudder, same on elev. ailerons.
use the expo in your fingers (don't move the sticks to much) till you get the feel of the plane. then fly it and then land and make the adjustments you need weather it is more or less throw.
100 bucks is great, I got mine from a guy here that gave it to me with engine/radio/transmitter/servo's/batt. ready to fly all i had to to was add fuel. so my bragging rights are better :)
he even shipped it to me for FREE. i helped him out on here trying to sell some other stuff and he just said i am going to give you this.
I offered to pay shipping he said no. GREAT GUY.
just have fun with this plane it fly's very well just be easy on the rudder on take off, other then that its a piece of cake to fly.

CG actually corresponds to the center of the forward bolts that attach the top wing. You can simply finger balance the plane right side up by placing your fingers on the forward bolts and lifting the plane. This ain't rocket science ;)

Nice score!

Also- the decals can be ordered directly from Sig for cheap :)

Here is the link to the setup specs.
I didn't use the decals that came with mine. If I can find them you can have them.
http://www.sigmfg.com/BuildManuals/SIGRC38SmithMiniPlaneSP.html

If you can't find anyone with decals you can get them from Sig. They also show the head rest.

I think the builder left the headrest off because it's a pain in the rump to fair the plastic piece into the sticks.

CG is at the leading edge of the bottom wing. You can start there and move it slowly back until it flies like you like.

Good looking bird!

Don

BTW: If you go to post #5 in this thread and look at the picture posted by RV7garage, you can see the balance point on the plans.

Don

GREAT info guys!

KaP2011, if you find them let me know.

Don, its a funny thing really I was trying to look at all those pictures of the plans but I couldnt find it on there. Maybe because I have never seen the plans before, heck, I have never even built off a set of plans before, I always buy ARF's.

You know the funny story about this plane was the guy had it listed on Craigslist as called a "Great Lakes Special", but when I looked up that plane I noticed this one was not it right off due to it having one of the wings with rearward sweep and this plane having both wings straight. So I posted a picture over on RCGroups and somebody said it was a SIG Smith Miniplane. Then everything started to come together. I just hope this engine runs. It looks nice and clean like it has not been ran much.

So pretty much this plane doesn't need much throw right? Anywhere from 1/2" to 3/4" for all surfaces?

I looked on SIG web site and I found the list of parts. For me to order the decal sheet I need and a windshield (mines not there) it was going to be $7.95 + $9.95 shipping!! :eek: Wow! I hope Kap2011 finds his. And would anybody happen to have a spare windwhield??? Lol, im sure I could come out cheaper getting from you guys

the windshield can be made real easy. it is a flat piece. I can trace mine and send you a copy. if you can find a smooth bottle you would already have the bend.

This brings back memories. I built one some 35 years ago and powered it with a K&B 40. I used silk and dope for finish back in the day when I was just learning the art of covering and finishing in dope.

Mine came out tail heavy as I recall. A little more nose weight in it would work just fine. Nevertheless, it was a fair flier at minimal surface throws. Someone mentioned 1/2" to 3/4" throw on aileron and elevator.....that's probably a bit much. Suggest that at low rates 1/4 to 3/8" is all you need. Set up the high rates at the 1/2-3/4 the other fellow suggested

Bob Howard if you could do that that would be great! Do you think I could cut it out of a 2 litre clear bottle? Also what about getting it to stick to the fuse, dont it have to be somewhat flat on the bottom of the windshield so it has something to stick to?

I balanced mine on the head of the rear wing attachment screw (top wing) and was happy with the way it flew and stayed there.
I didn't like the way it looked without the "hump" and was lucky(?) enough to have one left from the Sig Ryan STA that I smashed, so I put it on. Maybe Sig will sell you one with the decals.

Nick

PS. As you can see in the build photo, I moved the firewall back a couple of inches to accommodate an Enya .80 Four Stroke turning a 14/6 prop and it flew very well also. (but it did weigh ~7 lbs.) and the battery was under the tank too.

Good Luck,

Canopy glue works extremely well. Sand a bevel on the front of the plastic to get a good glue area. Usually, this bevel is only needed over the top as the piece of plastic lies flat along the sides. Bead on the canopy glue, and pin or tape the canopy down then don't touch it for a good 24 hours or more. For an additional bit of security, put trim tape or iron a strip of monokote along the fuselage/windshield seam.

For wheel pants, go here: http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/wheelp.htm

Don

It's the little triangle right below the leading edge of the bottom wing.
(and coincidentally, right under the rear mounting bolt of the top wing,:cool:)

Nick

Correct :)

Mine was built in 1974 and is still flyable after a recover job in the mid 80's. It has had an enya 29, 45, and finally a laser 70 on it. The four strke flys it very well. It will do wonderful flat spins.. Mine is balanced at the leading edge of the bottom wing as shown.

For CG, RV7garage said it on the FORWARD bolts on the top wing. You guys are saying the REAR bolts on the top wing. Which is it? I would think the rear bolts but what is RV7garage talking about?

Rv7garage stood corrected (and graciously concurred) in post 991. It's the rear bolt.
BTW, mine is still in one piece too but we've decided to build a new one since I plan to put a Saito FG11 in it.
Currently, the saito is pulling around my 1988 Taube (6 lbs) with a solid 50 degree climbout.
You can see how it looked back then with it's OS 40 FS by looking behind the smith in the pics in post 987. (no, I hardly ever crash ;-) )

Here are pics of the engines it's had, an OS .25, an OS .40 FS and now a Saito FG11 Gasser (.66 FS).
We've already got 2 hours on the engine and it's a sweet one!
Search youtube for saito taube to see it.

Nick:)

Since you are still asking I must assume you did not click on the link I posted in post #979 that takes you to the Sig website where the setup specs for the SMP are located. You should try it. It has all the setup specs for the SMP, including the C/G.

KaP, yes I did and I will print that out. I was just confused of your earlier post, but I got it now. Have you had a chance to look for those decals yet?

I will try and get some pictures of my progress later today. I have receiver and battery mounted and got the rubber cockpit trim glued on. Got all controls set up except for throttle, its always the hardest for me because I use a Spektrum DX6i and I like to utilize the Throttle cut-off button to cut off the motor of the plane. But I find it hard sometimes because you have to get it set up right in order for when you hit that button it closes the throttle completely.

I did find them. Send me a PM with your address and I'll get them in the mail.

The decals are vinyl with a self adhesive backing. I would suggest that after you apply them, you seal the whole airplane with a light weight clear coat.

I read in one of your earlier posts that this was your first bi-plane. It was also my first bi-plane. Mine was destroyed 4 times before I gave up. 20 years later I decided to give it another try.

When you first fly it be ready for anything. The first time I flew the one I have now it was like jumping on the meanest horse in the barn.

Did you get my PM Kap?

Yep, I got it. I'll get the decals out to you tomorrow.