LT40 Build thread
 

Last year I built a four star 60 and I enjoyed the build. I didn't get hardly any flying in last year, and I misjudged and put my trainer into a treetop. I wanted to build another airplane so I decided to build Sig LT40 and make it a taildragger. I'll post pics as I go along, so maybe it will help someone else. Also I got a lot of help when I built my last airplane. The first thing I did was open the box and get the manual out, then start checking everything off. Putting the wing parts in the lid, and putting the fuse parts back in the box.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

The pics didn't go in the first post, I'll have to figure this out again.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

you've got patience...i dig in and get the glue....:D

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I found the spars and the doublers. I glued them up before putting the plans down. After putting the plans down and covering them with waxed paper, I pinned down the spars, then trial fit all the ribs first before gluing.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

As I glued the ribs in I made sure they were straight up and down. The yellow tool there is handy it is square on the bottom, and you can use it for degrees. I used it to bevel the ailerons on my four star. Sorry I didn't post more pics as I was going on step by step, I just got in a bit of a hurry. The first rib is on a bit of an angle and the template has a bit of a curve on it. so I used the tool with the degrees to recheck. I put it on the drawing in the book as a reference.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I'll post the rest of the pics, the second wing goes the same as the first one. I did one wing one day, and another one today. On the 3rd pic I found an abs pipe joiner. It works good for making sure the ribs are straight up and down.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

looks good!!!!![8D]

i did my four star 120s one wing in a day too....once i get going............................................. ..................:)

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Geeze, have you get enough clamps??? :D

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Harbor Freight baby.!!!! I have the same set.
They all come in one box.....for like $4.99

.....and the large ones are STRONG.!!!

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Tail Dragger This was a 10 yr old ARF I converted
http://image2-6.rcuniverse.com/e1/ga.../lg-123518.jpg
The tail wheel wire goes up into the rudder through a guide tube
http://image2-6.rcuniverse.com/e1/ga.../lg-123516.jpg
use Nylon bolts to hold the gear on. There's a 1/4" plywood plate on the inside with the threads tapped directly into the wood reinforced with CA
http://image2-6.rcuniverse.com/e1/ga.../lg-123521.jpg
This is the main gear I used
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...?ProdID=HAN160
This is the tail wheel assembly I used but I made a new wire to go up into the rudder
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXD850&P=ML

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

I cut off the spars on the wing tips and in the 1st rib then sanded them. Then cut out the die cut part in the first rib. Minnflyer is seem you never have enough clamps. Is that ever a nice looking Lt40 W8ye. It looks really nice as a taildragger. I have a rounded fiberglass gear for the front. Did you cut a v in the bottom of the rudder? That is what i'm planning to do.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Next I installed the dihederal gage on the end of the wing. I did a trial fit before gluing it all together. Then I cut out the slots for the dihedral parts. In Canada we have a Princess auto, and I found some little files or different shapes and small tools that come in handy.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Finally the wing assembley glued. I used epoxy to glue the wings together.

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One can never have enough clamps..

You know that Mike... Geesh... [sm=biggrin.gif]

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

A suggestion.. If I may...

Consider using individual servos on the ailerons. It's not totally necessary.. but nice to have.

I did it on mine. And it's not to late to do on your wing.

I thought I had posted pictures how I did it.. But I can't find the thread... I can post some pictures if you want....

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

We Love our LT40, what a great first model... We have a OS46 on it and there is NOTHING sluggish about our trainer, except maybe my thumbs:D

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

For my tail dragger conversion the tailwheel is controlled by the rudder

I made a new longer tail wheel wire for the tail wheel bracket that is longer on the top to extend up into the rudder hinge line where I drilled 1/16" hole in the rudder and with a 90 degree bend, inserted the tail wheel wire into the hole in the rudder with epoxy all around it.

I used a tube guide for the tail wheel-rudder wire that is in line with the rudder hinge center line. It is anchored at the top by the wood of the horizontal stabilizer and at the bottom by the extra piece of plywood that was epoxied onto the bottom of the fuselage.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

LT 40's are cool........[sm=shades_smile.gif]

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

very nice! Ive built the LT 25 which is very similar. they go together nice without too much sanding/fitting. You just cant beat a kadet for a nice easy flying plane, thats quick to build and finish.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Thanks. Best trainer out there, IMO.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

vmsguy I think i'll keep it simple and just go with one servo on the ailerons. I know what you mean though I have 2 on the fourstar 60. I finished the sheeting on the wings. Cut the slots out of the trailing edge pieces for the aileron torque rods. I used CA to hold them in place being careful to get it only on the outer casing of the wire. I glued the pieces on the wing with epoxy. The CA is giving me a cold flu like feeling. I think i'll use epoxy and alphetic glue for the rest. There was a little piece missing on the one piece so I made a piece and glued it in. I'll sand it off later when it dries.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

If you are going for a bolt on wing now is the time to be putting your dowels in the front and the plywood in the rear for the bolts

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

w8ye, I think I'll just use the elastics instead of the bolt on wing. By the time you posted, I already had the sheeting on, and if I was going to do that it would be better with a block behind the leading edge. Anyways, I missed taking some pics again. I cut the hinge slots out. I'm using the dubro nylon hinges. I have a slotting guide and a tool for cutting slots. On the bevel of the ailerons I had to do them without the guide. I cut the hole and slot for the aileron torque rods. Then taped the ailerons and used a piece of balsa with pins in to hole them secure along with a couple clamps while cutting the aileron ends.

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

You are doing a good job

RE: LT40 Build thread
 

Thanks w8ye. I cut out the area for the wing servo and glued the plate on. Then glued the 2 stiffeners on the top of the wing.