This is a straight forward build that even a first time builder can do and make the plane fly well and look good for years.
First issue is to inventory your parts and check for quality and any replacement Balsa ectt..
Next i like to label all the parts, put matching parts together like wing ribs and give a very lite sanding to match everything.
Finally-Trace all your parts on paper and keep with the plans (I know you want to get started), by doing this you can make easy repairs or build another 4*60 some day.

Clever idea with the tracing, always been in to much of a hurry to do that wishing I did when needing repairs. Good job!

Hey Frenchie powering my 4* with they ryobi. What prop you running. need more go power on my bird.

Tracing the parts is a must- actually free parts some day. I forgot to mention, look at picture two, that pile of balsa and ply-KEEP IT! you won't believe how handy the peices become down the road.
The Engine I'll be using is the OS 91 with a 15x6 prop.

Hello Frenchie,

Keep posting, i intend to build 4*60 this winter as soon as I finish my midstar.

I wanted to ask, do you intend to make a removable hatch for the fuel tank?
Don’t bother if not, I’m looking for a thread where it was done.

Thanks
Alex

I should have traced my parts! [X(]

Hey Frenchie. I just started mine this week. I have a busy schedule so it might be a slow build. No matter, can't fly in the snow. I'm powering with the OS 91fs too. I'm going to start with a 14 x 6. Love the tracing idea. Good thing I didn't glue yet. Beats trying too find all the pieces in the leaves after a crash. Can't wait watch your progress.
Cliff

I have a removable hatch on my 4* 120 Alex. It's the same plane just a bit larger but a hatch can be built in the same way as in my thread. See link below.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5288782/tm.htm

Thanks for the interest in this post. I'm not going to make a removable hatch, but not a bad idea. The next step before i start is lay-out the plans and make any modifications you want to do on the plans.
My modifications will be:
1. Clip one wing bay each side-Draw in new hinge areas. I'll use Robart Hinges on this project.
2. Add 1" to the Rudder and Elev. Draw on the plan
3. I'll Cowl the front using a "Fiberglass Specialties" Cowl. Clip the cheeks front of fuse.
4. Add several aftermarket products replacing the kit supplied products.

Hi French, I'm watching!! I wanted to mention A product I was sent to try from A friend that he has been using for tracing and making templates. It's called SeeTemp and they have A great line of modeling stuff, they advertise in RC Report.
The stuff is A nice thick plastic material and you just use an exacto knife to do the tracing with then snap out the traced part. I liked it so much I use it on all my Giant Scale plans built planes and keep all the templates in A large envelope just for those special days when something goes wrong or someone asks me to build them one too. It's cheap so give it A try some day. I like cheap!!

Sounds interesting, do you have a web site to check this out?
By the way, what do you have for a project this winter, always like seeing you posts and projects.

Correction-I'm adding 1" to the Rudder and only a 1/2" to the Elevator. Opps!

Remembering I'm building a straight forward Kit plane and not alot of modifications only enhancements. The idea is lite, very strong, good flight performance (like it's designed), last for years.
Laid the wing plans down and laid up the ribs, be sure to check the all the ribs that are the same, not much of a problem with Lazer cutting, a VERY lite sand is all that is needed. Sig directions are great, the wing goes together better than the 4* 40 or Mid*- WOW just tack everthing and the wing is complete. This should be an easy and fast build.

Addtional note-Use a straight edge on the plan lines when laying down any spar, don't trust the plan lines to be perfectly straight. Lay the spar up to the straight edge and pin.

I sure do have an address for these folks, when you get it they toss in A set of instructions on how to use it. That was nice of them. www.seetemp.com
At the moment I got side tracked again from my scratch built Giant Hots, it will be built at A later date. { Heard that before} A fellow gave me A very nice little kit from Texas Twins, an Extra 260 65 incher. I think I am the fourth and final owner of this one. They built A very good product and it's A great build for me. I have never done any real foam core work so it's A fun learning project, I have always avoided anything with foam but that was just because after over 50 years of building I had never done it so was A bit afraid of it. Not anymore, it's different but fun. The plane had been started but in great need of some TLC and reworking. I'm almost ready to start the fuse and it's mostly stick so I will be back into something I know.
I'm going to try to force A RC Showcase 1.40 gasser in it but if I can't then maybe one of those nice little SK 110s or something??
Not A lot to show anyone as far as building goes, just A bunch of sheeted parts right now. I'm having A good time watching you guys building right now and picking up some very good and helpfull ideas.
Remember, when I see A good idea it's mine from then on!!!
Gene

MY! MY! MY! I'm going to call you "Grey Beard the Pirate" Just kidding, ideas are ment to be taken, great form of flattery.

On to the 60 build
I forgot to mention I changed the dihedral angle in the wing as one of my modifications. The reason for the clipped wing for some of the new builders, I wanted to improve the roll rate and have less float & weight. This plane will float forever and i don't care for that as much as performance. This is not something you should do without flying the 60 first. Just add an extra hinge at the 2nd outward rib for future modification. Build strong and lite.

The picture below I added blocks for the wing hold down screws. Also note the small peices of shaped balsa at each hinge area. The trailing edges are not enough wood to hold a CA hinge let alone a Robart pin hinge. This will give the hinge more bite,. It's lite, cheap insurance and built to last. I use thin CA on all the joints followed by two coats of Medium and i'll finish the other side and glue up with 30 minute epoxy tonight, clamping the halfs together.

I find I can get the tank in and out very easily without a hatch. I glued a plastic strip to the front of the tank, and it sticks out so I can just pull and slide the tank out.

I don't have any problems with floating on landing. I found the key was adjusting the engine so it can idle low, and using a low pitch prop. I also find the roll rate with full span wings is very fast, whether in regular aileron rolls or snap rolls.

Jim

Then by all means don't change anything. This plane flies fantastic doing nothing at all and most should not change anything. but i do believe you can improve the quality of the build without adding flight performance weight. I'm not posting this build to sell needed changes.

French, you have to either pop me your email address or set up your PM so I don't clutter up your thread. I have A few giggles to for you.
Gene

Frenchie, I too want to clip the wings. Did you just move the last hinge in 1 bay? Still keeping 6 hinges? Also, I see your not sheeting the leading edge. Can I ask your opinion on that? I'm ready to start sanding the outboard ribs to match the inner ones. My first build and I'm scared to open the glue!

Frenchie, you've got some good ideas. Thanks for putting the thread up. I got caught up in the wing-clipping frenzy earlier this year after reading about it here many times. Everyone seemed happy with the mod. Used 6 hinges with closer spacing. I've only had mine out to the field a couple of times now and am still learning to fly it but if I had it to do again, I must admit that I might leave the wings the original size. I guess I just like floaters. To me, it flies fine with the clipped wings unless you let it get slow on final. If it slows down too much it starts sinking like a rock and lands very hard well above the stall speed. I've made some nice landings with it but have also had it start sinking rapidly resulting in a couple of very hard bouncers. I admit that I don't have too much experience and that's mostly to blame but folks should be honest with themselves about their skills and what they want the plane to fly like before they commit to this mod. It does roll very nicely, though. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about this plane and can't wait to fly it again but I just wanted to give my $.02 since I've recently finished and test flown one set up this way. The shorter wings do eliminate a bit of the Four Star's built-in docile nature but allow it to maneuver very fast and change directions in a small space.

I also enlarged the rudder and used Sullivan pushrods and tailwheel along with lots of beefing up around the landing gear mount and bulkhead just behind the wing. So far it's held up to all the abuse I've thrown at it.

I enjoyed building the Four Star and would gladly recommend it to others. Like Kmot, I'm now wishing I traced out my parts before using them. With my dumb thumbs, it's inevitable that I'll be needing more "parts" at some point. The Magnum 91 is breaking in SLOWLY but pulls it with authority.

Straubman-Kept the same amount of hinges, balanced them out. Keep the ends and the one by the horn similar to the plan. Sheeting the wing looks great, adds weight and don't need it for structure but i guess you have to draw the line on some things. I'm adding weight to other areas and want it a simple build. Go for it but be sure to keep the wing shape exactly the same.
Tee Bee-Thanks for the kind words-You are right-don't make the change to a great flying plane if you have not flown it. By the way, Great looking plane.

Glued up the wings with 30 minute epoxy-Use clamps and set overnight. Sheeted the center sections, Also cut holes for the robart hinges and glassed both sides of the wing center. Sorry no pictures of installing the robarts, moving along to fast.

Grey Beard-I don't know how to set the PM up-or what it is. You can e-mail me at [email protected] , I have another plane I talked with you about that was featured in AMA Mag called the NJ1. We did these as a club build. Chack out our web site and click on club build, you will see pictures of my "Darth Vador-Death Star" combat plane. Liked it SSOOOOO much I built another with some real serious controls and a serious motor.

http://www.geocities.com/plattevilleareamodelers/