Smith Miniplane project
 

Not finished yet. Just thought I would show off all that stick work to some people who might appreciate it. My wife doesn't.

Smith Miniplane project
 

another shot

Smith Miniplane project
 

one more

Smith Miniplane project
 

Dr. wHine:
Get used to it.

Haw.

But the plane looks good.

Bill

PS: You noticed I altered the spelling of your user name, I'm sure. wr.

Smith Miniplane project
 

Now don't you just love it??? Looks really good and try to get that kind of satisfaction with an ARF, or worse yet, a SPAD!!!! :D

Smith Miniplane project
 

Drool drool :)

Definately on my must have list (currently 3rd in line).

Looks almost too good to cover.

So which engine is that I see waiting to go in?

Smith Miniplane project
 

Looks great so far! That model has always been one to draw my eyes. I might do one someday as I'm partial to Sig kits.

Whenever I ask my wife to check out my models during construction she says she gets the irresistable urge to squeeze real hard, especially on the stick-built ones. :eek:

Smith Miniplane project
 

Hard to compare the two....

A balsa creation like that is a perdy sight....


A plane flying in the sky (ARF or SPAD or Balsa) is a perdy sight...

Which is morer perdyer is a hard question to answer...

Smith Miniplane project
 

The engine is a new O.S. 52 four stroke. It fits inside the cowl with only one cut out for the valve cover. It sticks out only 1/8" and looks nice with the black finish and bright letters.

Next week I'll cover her and post some new pictures. I'm using Hanger 9 translucent white with Coverite solid red and white trim. Just couldn't bring myself to hide all those sticks.

Thanks for all the fine remarks. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Dr. Wine

Smith Mini
 

I've had six of these little buties and they fly just as good as they look. Te first one was the kit the other five where scratch built.Take it easy on the first flite and after that the skys the limit. This little plane is a ball to fly. And is very portable as far as fitting in your car or even the trunk with no disassembling. :cool:

Smith Miniplane project
 

After building the kit, I wonder how you were able to scratch build the rest.

If it wasn't for the die cut wing ribs and firewall, your first would be scratch built too. Actually Sig should call it a "Scratch Build Kit" or an ARK(almost ready to kit).

Miniplane
 

Dr Wine,

Very nice job! There is nothing quite like a bipe in the bones - very purdy! You'll like the way it flys, I have Sig's Hog Bipe and love flying it.

Cheers!

Jollidude

Smith Miniplane
 

Beautiful!!! Your pics inspired me to take another look at my unstarted Smith kit. It was the same as last time......sticks. But I have promised myself that she's next on the boards. What did you like best/worst during construction. Would you do anything different? And I can't blame you on the covering choice. Again, Nice Work.


[email protected]

Re: Smith Miniplane
 

You can see a constuction review on our site:

http://www.renderwurx.com/rc/h37/html/data.htm

I like building it alot... it was my first kit. I suppose the only thing that was "hairy" for me was cutting out the ailerons... I still don't like doing it... but oh well...

Now I've jumped up in size and building 2 70" Challenger III's...

Here's their bulding site:

http://www.renderwurx.com/rc/challenger3/

Smith Miniplane project
 

Lowlander69,

Thanks for the comment. There really isn't any one best thing, maybe how it looks. I just completed a H.O.B. spacewalker that was all laser cut. When I started on the miniplane it felt like I was back in 1970 something, man. The worst thing about the kit, the 109 sticks in the box.

I'm not sure if I need to make any changes, we'll see after I fly her. The changes I did make was adding sheer webbing to the top and bottom wing, setting the top wing to a neg. 1 incidence, custom make "N" struts of airfoil alum. tubing, and setting the engine to a right 2 deg. thrust. The plans call for zero degrees on the engine, however with the four stroke swinging a larger prop I thought it be wise. Used washers so as to make adjustments.

I also re-designed the ailerons. The originals are hinged at the top of the trailing edge of the wing and leading edge of the aileron. I hinged them in the center and changed the leading edge of the aileron, more traditional "V" shaped. My friend's plane just didn't have enough roll. I talked to other people on RCuniverse and they said the same thing, not enough throw in the ailerons. I'll post flight results later.

Don't be discouraged about all the sticks. It actually went together rather quickly. Use an X-acto saw to make the cuts in the sticks. You will see what I mean when you get started. It's much faster, easier and acute to cut the sticks in the same spot they will fit in.

The hardest thing is to decide on the covering pattern. I know what colors, just cant decide on what pattern.

Smith Miniplane project
 

Flew my Smith today and it was as sweet as always. Also have an OS 52 Surpass for power. Seems just right for this plane. Putting in the 2 degrees of right thrust was good move. Til I did that the torque roll to the left was hard for me to control. Covwered mine in white Solartex and painted on red sun burst as it shows on the full scale. Hard to keep clean, though. Anyways, enjoy it.

Smith Miniplane project
 

Great job! I for one would go with transparent red, and regular white, but it's your baby and you gotta do what you gotta do. Give us an update on the maiden. Good luck!

Smith Miniplane
 

I built one of those a year ago from the kit. Then built another one from the plans and made it into an SE5. I'll attach a picture.

It is a wonderful little airplane. Have a Saito .52 in mine and it is perfect. Certainly not overpowered. It is small though so fly it in close where you can keep an eye on it. Kind of looks the same upside down as opposite. Really hard to make a bad landing.

The SE5 has an OS .46FX in it. Does not fly as well because it is a pound heavier. The increased tail size required a chunk of lead in the cowl. Best to keep them light.

Best part is not taking them apart to take to the field. I can be in the air 5 minutes after arriving.

Miniplane is covered in Ultracote. SE5 in Monokote for the available colors.

You will love it.

Coop