RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

supagloo,

Congratulations on the good parts of the maiden. Sorry to here damage was done. My experience was add down thrust in the engine. Was the pilot able to go inverted and see how the plane responded. Mine will almost fly inverted hands off just like it is upright.

When it comes to landing, I fly mine to the end of the runway with a couple three clicks of throttle. Cut to idle at the end of runway, and then usually add a click or two back in just before it touches down. This also helps minimze "The Bounce".

Good luck with the repairs and your solution.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Mine is built 100% per plan, no changes in anything, and do not recommend any.
At full power it tends to climb a bit, at half it's OK.
It's my best three-point-landing model (bipe or otherwise) and lands like a feather.

I DO have:
Lots of aileron differential
Expo (~60%) on aileron and elevator. Makes it "softer" and "nicer" around neutral.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Thanks for the input!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I have some current pictures of my Smith. These are courtesy of a fellow club member that also has a passion for photography.

Now keep in mind it was originally built in 1985 and recovered around 1990. Muffler sticks out like a sore thumb. It was built as a sport RC plane and was not intended to be scale. I can't describe how much of a blast it is to fly this thing.....

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

My understanding is that the ASP and Magnum 61 four stroke are the same engine.
This is the performance I get from my Magnum 61 four stroke.
15% nitro fuel.
Master Airscrew 3 blade 10x7 10500 rpm ready to fly
4 lb 12 oz static thrust

Master Airscrew Scimitar 12x6 10000 rpm ready to fly
5 lb 5 oz static thrust

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Buona Sera Signore.

I`m a brasilian modeller, just finished my Smith, well, not exactaly, she stil needs some scale detail.

Covering is Oratex Red all over (see photos in my galerie), what helps with the scale efect but adds a bit more weigh overal...

Power is OS.46FX, pitts muffler by Bison..

Couldn`t fly her yet because of the mais landing gear that`s too soft, although I did exactally as per instructions.

On taxi she waves erratically sideways, can`t hold a straight line for more than 3 meters...of course can`t take off and even If I could be so bold, landing wold be a disaster[:'(]

I saw a few pictures in the first pages and noticed that most of the Smiths are using the standard Landing Gear. No problems reported.

Does anyone see anything that I may have done wrong? Any suggestions on how to fix this or should I go for a set of sturdier aluminium L.G.`s?

Thanks for your attention:D

Tifoso

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Maybe you can post a pic of your gear?
Did you build from the kit or from scratch?
Did you use the wire from the kit?

I did my gear 100% per the instructions with no problems at all...

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Tiffoso,

First, I would like to say, I like the way your "Smith" looks. Nice job.

As to your take off problem. I don't have enough information here to know if you are refering to a structural problem with the landing gear or a handling problem.

Structurally the stock gear is plenty strong when done according to plan.

Handling wise the stock location is fine as long as you have a little practice with a small tail dragging bipe. With a little practice this plane can be taken off as beautiful as you please. But if you are new to tail dragging bipes you will need some practice. It is very easy to overcontrol the rudder on take off.

My suggestion at this point is Confirm the strenth of your gear. Some flex is good, Compare the location of your tires to the location on the plans (in reference to front to back of the plane). If all is correct try just doing some taxi runs and perhaps use a low rate on the rudder travel for take offs till you get use to it.

Good Luck

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

EF,

I did my landing gear with the supplied hardware and exactally as per instructions, apart the balsa finishing, but I dought this is my problem, as I`ve seen a few Smiths flying with landind gears without that finishing. But if we find out that`s the problem, so much the better, I can do that finishing with in a few hours and a bottle of wine alongside...;)

About the pictures I apologise but I stil don`t know how to post pictures here, If you or anyone can explain that to me I`ll gladly post a few pictures that I`m sure wil please everyone.

RICKSTUBBZ
Thanks for the comment on my Smith looks. You see it`s stil missing some painting and scale detailing but I`ll get to it soon enough.
After reading your post I believe it`s not a landing gear problem, it`s a pilot`s problem. :D
I have two other taildraggers (one PT 19 and a Focke-Wulf 190) but none with a tail as short as the Smith.
And this Smith is my first Bipe and Yes, its got a lot off rudder action on it...
I may be having a problem with too much rudder and too litle practice with such a short taildragger.

So 3 action to be taken:
1-smaller (or shorter...) rudder action
2-check the tires location according to the plans.

and practice...and practice...:)

Thanks a lot for the intput, RICKSTUBBZ, hope we have a litle bright red bipe storming brasilian skies soon

Feel free to add anny comments or advices that you think usefull.

Blue skies to all.

Tifoso

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Tiffoso,

Posting pictures, on the upper right corner of this exact post you will see a reply button. If you click on that, you will see an option to upload pictures on the lower left of your typing area. Click on that and follow the instructions. There are other ways as well but that is generally the easiest.

Another landing gear tip. I am sure you know this already with two other tail draggers. Anyway, if you have a little bit of toe-in(front of tires slightly pointing at each other) on your main wheels it will help a little bit with tracking.

Having the landing gear just bare wires is not a problem. Mine has been that way since it was built. Most recent pictures are on post 179 above.

Good luck, you'll have a blast with this thing and the Brazilian Skys will love it as well.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Ok, let`s if this thing works!:D

Tks again for the infos, I use to have 2 degrees fo toe-in in all my airmodels and it works perfetcaly...I believe that the wires of this L.G. ar a bit soft and "open" the toe a bit...but again, it may happen when I throw her sideways with that "tender" use of the rudder of mine...

I`ll check the toe-in anyways...

Tks again

Tifoso

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Many thanks to all! With your help I have constructed my first plane!
All history in pictures - [link=http://hinam.ucoz.ru/photo/6]Smith Miniplane[/link]on a site

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

This is the only picture I have of my smith miniplane, it flew great on a magnum .40, sold it to fund other projects, covered in worldtex covering, including all the trim, cowl was painted using perfect paint.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

hinam, planebuilder66,

Gentleman,

Nice renditions of the "Smith"[8D]...

pb66, I have seen a picture of yours somewhere. Did you formerly use that shot as your avitar or something?

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Hi Wulf
I have been following this for 12months now, finally decided to join, I have a couple of questions for you. Could you tell me how you applied your wing stripes is it paint or film? And also have you used a pump as you have your engine inverted, any advice here? thanks TAC221

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

RICKSTUBBZ,
No, I just recently put a avitar up for myself, and a couple of weeks ago, I added my smith pic to the models gallery of mine. Like I said, if you saw this exact plane somewhere else in this site, they are the new owners of her, I just can't remember who bought it off me.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I just read the wonderful things on the Smith Mini Plane. I built Mine in 1987 and it took me almost five months to complete. I originally put a saito 50 in it and it flew good. In 1995 I put a OS 70 in it and I felt it was heavy and landed heavy. In 2002 I changed it out for a Saito 56 and use a APC prop and 30% Heli fuel and it is great and lands light. It works well with 15 % fuel also. I love the look of this plane. I originally bought it and built it when I saw a green and white one at my field. This was only my third airplane. Still have it to this day. I covered it in monokote in the SMP red and white. Mine also climbs slightly when at 75-100% power but it lands smooooothly. I will post pix later if any cares to see them. My next build after the smp was a Sig Skybolt with and OS 91 on it. It is still around today also.

Have fun guys and fly the smp well and enjoy. Cool Bipe. Something about two wings..........................

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

mikedeeney,

Absolutely, please do, post pictures.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I am just finishing up my new SMP. I built one of these about 15 years ago and jsut loved this little bipe. I regret ever selling it. I will post pix shortly.

OS 46 AX
Slimline Q series muffler
Built per plans and instructions with mods explained in Harry Higleys BIPES book.

Happy Landings

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I passed the first tests. An airplane flies fine! Do I have a question - what exactly a paint you used?
My not very much good. [:o]
Regards

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Here is a few pix of the green smp that inspired me to buy and build, the construction of mine and the finished product in red and white. Also pictured is the sig skybolt I built.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

more finished photos

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

I just maidened my completed SMP today. What a treat! Just a wonderful little airplane. It is equipped with a OS .46 and a Slimnline Q series muffler and Futaba gear. She flew beautifully right from the start only need 2 down clicks of elevator and 2 right clicks of aileron trim. I consider this pretty good for a bipe. She is covered in Coverite fabric ( red and white), parts are pinted with TF Lustrekote Missile red. It was built primarily stock per the plans with a few minor changes here and there. She's a keeper.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

Here are some more....

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
 

And a few more....