RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Ps Go into,SIGkits,once you are in Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

TCraft Lover, chelmer, tks for the comments, that's the spirit...be proud of what you acomplish is one of the goals for me...learning and improving myself is another.
chelmer I wonder what histories you could share with us...time for a book or at least a blog, what do you think?

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Tiff (kinda like that...:D)

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hi Tcraft, Biplanes need a lot of breeze over the wings ,so use a bigger fan. All three engines I have had in in the mini were propped with 13/7 13/8 APC. The os 70, saito 72 and saito 82 were fitted inverted, but gave problems with fuelflow [ tank carb alingment on the mini] so I mounted my present engine [ os alpha 81] sideways to dramatically good effect. This is the motor with the APC 13/8. [Snowman,anybody out there with a shovel, I need to get out!] Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Thanks Tffosso . Be back. Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Ps.Tcraft. A 13/6 APC would be fine, but I cannot meet the 82 Decibel UK limit with finer pitch. This why most of the club fly fourstokes. I have not had a two stroke for over 15 years because of the noise problem.</p>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Glen,
Thanks for the engine / prop input. I've decided to use a .56 Saito and 12-6 MAS wood. I'm not really concerned with verticle capability but I am considering putting some lightening holes in the 1/8" sheeting on the fuse front. What say ye on that thought? We've had a little snow also but at times the blasted wind is a killer. I had a 4 foot drift across my drive 2 weeks ago.Current forecast is for snow tonight and all day on Thursday ending on Christmas day. White Christmas? Bah Humbughttp://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...humbs_down.gif

Best Regards,

Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave, The Saito 56 will fly the mini nicely but I would take a 13/6 APC with you, you might be surprised. [not for vertical though]. I would avoid lightening holes at all costs, keep it strong. You should get an accurate c/g with 56 , try fitting flight battery loosley to balance, I often fit the flight battery on platform behind servos - no added wieght- on a lot of my models.

General. I have in past postssuggested engines and props for the mini, but I now realise that the UK and therefore me, is seriously constrained by the 82 db limit ,so will pull out of that help line. The usual practice is to power up and prop down the noise. Sorry Folks. I have started on Electric flight, but you need a wake up call now and then!! No noise problem though.

My town just got a snow news item on national tv 1 pm, so now we are famous! Glen.</p>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Glen, thanks for the Prop / CG pointers. After better thought the front end lightening holes make no sense as, based on the drawings, it appears that I will probably need some nose weight anyway. Have fun with your new found weather related fame and fortune.

Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave.I will say first off that this has worked for me on the smp for c/g. Even with an OS fsa 81 up front.

On the plan there is a triangle balance pointdraw a vertical line 90 degrees to datum through point of triangle up to bolt heads of upper wing , you will see that the line passes through rear wing bolt heads just forward of bolt centre [ or in your case center] THISISWHERETOBALANCE the mini. Ido this with tough steel ruler [ Idont know what you call a measuring tool in the States] under the bolt heads at the line point .

The plane is fully assembled MINUS the flight battery. You then balance the model with the flight battery along side the fuselage [ it will most likely rest on the upper surface lower wing next to fus]. The model should balance at this point 1 or 2 degrees nose down. Where the battery rests is where it is fitted inside the fuselage.

Even with my OS fsa 81, I have demosrated hands off sticks, low 1/2 throttlefly past, rocksteady.
hope this is of help, [Perhaps you could lendmea shovel!] Glen.
. Ps. if your engine is side mounted you will need lead Port lower wing tip [but Iexpect you know that! ]</p>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hi all. Following above notes on C/G those of you who are flying your smp please , just for sake of argument, place a forefinger under the two rear upper wing bolts ,engine facing you, and the model should balance slightly nose heavy. This is just for interest.

night night. Glen. Just having my bedtime ovaltine.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Helo, Commander.. interest comment on C/G...I'm a bit far from my Smith right now (a tad above 1.600 km... :) ) but when I'm back home I'll check it out...

Best regards from Brasil!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Reply to Warbird 2. Ray,
Hope you get this. Ok on London smp. No contact yet.


Apologies in general to those who know their C/G from their xmas turkey . You can hang your smp upside down on C/G as we know, but much easier right way up! Over and out on that [unless someone asks]


Regards, Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

A question for all of you experienced SMP builders. The plans show only two hinges per aileron plus of course the torque rod on the inboard side. Is this arrangement strong enough or should there bea third hinge added?http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../msn/50_50.gif

Patiently awaiting the 14" snowfall,

Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

I put in a third hinge on each side

Won't hurt a bit

Don

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

<span style="font-size: larger"><span style="font-size: x-large">THANK YOU DON http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/thumbup.gif</span></span></p>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Tcraft.

I used hinges with steel pins, Three on each side is fine although I just have two but three better still. Make sure you put Vaseline on the hinge pins before cyno fixing.

glen

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

TCraft, I dont know how far you have got , but if you do use steel hinge pins dont forget to recess the hinge line to bury the round part with pin. Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hi Glen,
I've used the metal pinned hinge quite a lot in years past. They have their own installation requirements to be sure. I've mostly settled in to using Sig easy hinges. (CA hinges) Not because they are better, just easier. Although I don't recall ever having had a failure with them.
We've received our first blast of about 6" with another 14" scheduled today and tomorrow. Did you ever locate that blasted snow shovel?
Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hey Dave,

I noticed in an earlier post in this thread you were asking about getting good fitting fuse trusses / miter joints. I've attached some pics here of a method I use that is simple and very effective. Credit for the pics and the very clever tool go to Walt of BuiltbyWalt - a builder extraordinaire! Thanks Walt!

I would also highly recommend the miter saw and miter sanders from Fourmost products - I use them all the time!

Regards,

Bob

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave, I realised,as i should have done,[sorry] that you must be a very skilled model builder in order to even contemplate a Smith. It is always difficult to judge skills on line. BUTTHEREARECLUES, like Minis!!

Best wishes , Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave, As it does in this country the snow, a full 6" and all the Supermarket car parks closed [ anybody out there got a Turkey!], is going as fast as it came. You may now have my shovel.


Beans for Xmas , Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hi Bob,
Would you be referring to the great Walt Umland?( I believe the last name is correct)I'm familiar with him through a CL forum. He, to me, is the high muckety muck of model builders and also a fine human being. I sure wish I would have had that system when framing the fuse sides.
Thanks for the build lesson.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../thumbs_up.gif

God bless and Merry Christmas,
Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

No problem Dave -

I think Mr. Umland is a different Walt - if you check out "Builtbywalt" . Com or check out some of the Carden build threads you'll see examples of his fine work - something I aspire to for sure.

Anywho...good luck with your SMP - I'll be following along!

Best regards,

Bob

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hey Glen,
I'm sure my building skills are second to most posters on this site. Truthfully if I had known what a Sig "craftsman" kit really meant I probably would have selected another subject.Anyway I was considering using 3/8 or 1/2 inch air foil shapedtubular aluminum ( UK speak: aluminium)
covers over the cabane and N strut wires. The balsa covering over these looks to be more of a lesson in patience rather than practicality.
Glen have a great Christmas
and God Bless You,

Dave

P.S. - Thanx for the loan of the snow shovel
but mine has an 8 HP motor and has
done it's job this morning.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...eeth_smile.gif

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hi Dave, hope you had a great Xmas. Family chipped in on Turkey so all went well . Terrible here, one flake of snow and everything stops!

Note your comments on struts , I too did not want to follow the Sig plan, but I am not sure if I made it any easier for myself.

I made up four "N" struts in medium balsa 3/8 /1/8 strips, designed to place the wire struts in center, [ already soldered together] . I then cut two thick blocks of MDF, covered in cling film. Made hard wood spacers slightly less than 1/4 thick. Now [I am getting there!] assembly- Lay one N strut on MDF, spread thinly with 30 min epoxy , place wire N strut onto balsa , coat inside of other balsa N strut with epoxy, place that over to match , cover all with other MDF block ANDTHEN squeeze the blocks together to meet spacers, with strong clamps. This will press the wire [including soldered joints] into the balsa. Much later, take apart and you have cabane struts completely covered . Sand tosymetrical shape. I did the same for end wing struts,only for those I used thinner balsa. All looks good to this day.

There is a saying in UK [ you may have it] "Please dont try this at home!!!!!

Happy NewYear, Glen.</p>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Probably obvious- but one at a time. Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hello Glen,
Very glad to see you've survived the holidays! I don't want to come off as too much of a dolt (maybe theshoe fits) but could you tell me what MDF stands
for? http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../msn/50_50.gifYour method seems at least as easy as following the plans. I've seen a few photos of the SMP with just bare painted wire that don't look too bad. My thoughts on the airfoil shaped aluminum tubing were poorly thought through. It won't work.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../cry_smile.gif

Dave

P.S. Just about wore out my snow shovel!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hello,

"MDF" = medium density fiberboard....available at your Home Depot Etc...hopefully means the same in UK!

Regards,

BOB

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Thanks Bob!http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f.../thumbs_up.gif

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave, Sorry , I thought afterwards to spell it [ medium density fibreboard] out.Bob got it right. The block of mdfis 12mm thick [at least it is here] nice and tough. Cut just a little larger than the N strut so that the bends clear the sides, about 4.25 by 5.5 inches times 2 pieces. you will end up with a balsa sandwich reinforced with wire. Bit tough to eat, dont try! I rounded the inside corners of the N just to make it look nice.

The end wing struts can be madein single lengths and the diagonal strut [ hard balsa] can be added afterwards. You will have a thin wire sandwich 1/4 wide 1/8 deep made into airfoil by sanding. Except of course where the diagonal strut is glued. As you realise the MDF [or indeed strong plywood] will be cut to suit.

Regards, Glen. 10 .45 pm here, night night.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Good Heavens Glen, don't you ever go to bed!! Thanks for the detailed instructions.
Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave, I said in post 36 to sand struts to airfoil shape. All that is needed is a simple "O"val shape keeping balsa fat round wires. The smith is 10/10 on drag anyway.

We are told you dont need much sleep when you get older but at 80 I disagree!

Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Good morning Mr. Chelmer,
At 80 years of age I really need to start treating you with more respect! I'm no where near needing my strut assemblies, just looking down the road. Actually I'm just final fitting the engine cowling. I'm disappointed in how much material I had to remove to get engine clearance. Almost wish I'd had a 2 stroke of some flavor to use. But I do like the 4 stroke. I'm not familiar with the 10/10 ratio you expressed but I'll just assume it's good. I saw earlier photos of your mini. Love the yellow and red.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/thumbup.gif Time for more coffee.

Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Dave,
Thanks for your kind thoughts. On my Wii fit report I have an age of 57 years. So all you flyers out there who would likekeep flying many more years than your age, go get your Wii NOW!!

Enjoy the Party!

Glen.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

What are your preferrences or experiences regarding the lower wing incidence? I'm fitting my wing now and it looks as though I'll be sanding out quite a bit of balsa.

Dave</p>

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Build it to the plans and you will be happy with it.

Mine is built exactly to the plans with zero incidence top and bottom. I love the way it flies. It balanced perfectly with no extra weight, and needed almost no trim. I haven't had any of the problems with excessive down elevator trim that I have heard in other posts. I haven't had any ground handling issues either. It goes nice and straight down the runway with a little rudder and doesn't have a tendency to nose over on our grass runway.

If I do it again, I'll build to the plans again.

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hi Icegs,
Thanx for the input. My incidence meter tells me I'm at zero now. My issue is that the wing dowel contacts plywood plate very low. Nowhere near the plan view. In order to get the plan location for the hole I would have to really remove a lot of wing saddle stock. I think I'll just use it the way it is since everything looks nice and level and square. Thanks again.
Dave

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Hey if anyone is lookin for some trim designs here is my dads full scale for some ideas!!!

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

SHE'S A BEAUTY!!http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...wink_smile.gif

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane
 

Here is an interesting link you may want to check out. The Smith Mini Plane gets revived:

http://www.skyclassic.net/sky_disk/index.html