RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
I agree with EF on the aileron arrangement. This plane isn't large enough to warrent the need for the extra servo power. The bad thing is the extra weight it adds to the air frame becomes burdensome on it's performance. Dorona. You never cut into a wing spar.
Posted on: 7/14/2012 4:36 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154683

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Be careful about the Ebay auctions. I've seen people pay more on Ebay than they would direct from Sig. The kits are no better, just older!
Posted on: 7/2/2012 6:25 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11140601

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Jake, The Smith Miniplane is still available from Sig. Here is the link. http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmart.exe/MainMenuFV5.html?E+Sig Go to aircraft-RC kits-scale models.
Posted on: 7/1/2012 5:51 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11138408

RE: Sig Citabria Build
Okay. We want to see this build continue. Let's get to work. Chop, chop.
Posted on: 6/29/2012 5:35 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11137123

RE: Sig Citabria Build
Nice work. But isn't it a little off subject?
Posted on: 6/29/2012 5:48 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11136234

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Hi Mark, My engine is offset 2 to 3 degrees to the right.
Posted on: 6/26/2012 6:15 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11132211

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Hey Mark When I look at the plans and my airplane the bottom surface of the lower wing and the upper longeron that the stablizer rests on are absolutely parallel. Have you made the saddle modifcation that I addressed in post #110? If you haven't your lower wing will not fit in the saddle and the incidence will be way off. Check out the post on page 5. Let me know if you need farther clarifcation. Dale
Posted on: 6/24/2012 12:37 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11129969

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
I have been though the prosess and have flown my Pup. It is a great flier so far. I don't have near the flights on it that I would like to have. We have had so many windy days here lately, it has become very frustrating. It's difficult to get a confident feel for the plane with constant 10 to 15 mile an hour winds with gusts of 25 mph. I did add a steerable tailwheel which made the ground handling much better. It also brings the tail up off the ground making the wing incidence more managable and therefore more effective. I also added more right thust. Without these two mods you could not keep the airplane going straight down the runway. It would constantly ground loop because you could not get it going fast enough for the tiny rudder to have much effect. The tailwheel may not be scale, but I found it nessesary for ground control on takeoff. I just re-watched the video I took of the attempted first takeoffs and it was rediculous how many times the airplane would ground loop to the right.
Posted on: 6/23/2012 8:55 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11129354

RE: Sig Citabria Build
[quote]ORIGINAL: optech GADZOOOKS!!!! Check this out; http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SIG-CITABRIA-R-C-MODEL-AIRPLANE-KIT-NEW-/350569510922?pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item519f92380a Maybe you should'a auctioned off this kit and built something else with the profits [;)] Either that or buy a bunch of kits from Sig and dole 'em out on Ebay to morons that pay those bid prices. [/quote] Sucker born everyday!
Posted on: 6/5/2012 8:02 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11108123

RE: Sig Citabria Build
I don't know Star. That looks not so good. Maybe you should cut those blocks out of there and make some new ones that are big enough to put the hole in the center of the block. There is no rule that says the blocks have to look exactly like the drawing. If your wing comes off in flight you won't be very happy when the fuselage drills itself into the ground.:)
Posted on: 5/29/2012 8:28 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11099368

RE: Sig Citabria Build
[quote]ORIGINAL: Ilikebipes It is RC Universe.... They are dropping the ball hard core! I don't know anyone posting pics that can actually post them. And when they can, they are stuck with 2-3 pics at most. This is a dying forum. Unfortunately. Brian [/quote] How so Brian? Aren't they making money here.
Posted on: 5/25/2012 5:12 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11094150

RE: Sig Citabria Build
Some excellent advise is given in these forums.
Posted on: 5/21/2012 9:12 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11089841

RE: Sig Citabria Build
You will not get any appropriate engine to fit within the cowl. Except for an electric motor, they will all stick out somewhere.
Posted on: 5/15/2012 5:06 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11082200

RE: Sig Citabria Build
Starwolf, I would stay away from the Supertigre engines. I have 5 of these, from .40 to .90 and although they run good and make good power I will not buy another because it has become all but impossible to get parts for them. Until that changes I will not purchase another. The Saito is a great engine and would suite the Citabria well, but go a little bigger. A .62 Saito would be better than the .56.
Posted on: 5/15/2012 4:18 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11082136

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
Sorry to here your have had it with your miniplane. I too have built a couple of lead balloons. Been there. Done that. Sounds like another testimonial about the importance of building lighter than you think it needs to be. A few ounces here and there will turn a fun flyer into a Dud.
Posted on: 4/1/2012 7:05 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11024345

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
I will do the same in having our best flyer take mine up. Like you said, He won't have the same emotional investment. He also has more experience with this type of biplane. If I didn't get the balance correct, he is more likely to be able to control the airplane. I've got some time before a maiden. It will not be until April or May. As I write this we are having a 1 meter snow storm, I can't even get to the out of the house. Anyway, great job on your Pup. Best Regards, Dale
Posted on: 2/29/2012 11:32 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10981721

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
[quote]ORIGINAL: ALO 111 I think i am finished... [/quote] Wow, What a beautiful model. It looks like a museum piece. Very nice work. Congratulations. Are you afraid to fly it?
Posted on: 2/26/2012 12:53 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10976885

RE: Sig Smith Miniplane build
"I have a Sig Citabria to build now" Tac I have built and flown the Sig Citabria. If I could give one piece of advise it would be to keep it lighter than you think it needs to be. With the short tail moment it can be very squrriley. Good Luck
Posted on: 2/10/2012 9:55 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10952817

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
8.4kg does seem on the high side. Mine came in at 6.35 kg ready to fly. I mounted the dle 30 with the standard mounts, and an unmodified firewall. This does push the engine forward about 35mm. I am sure that this made a big difference in the balance. Still, I added .7 kg to the nose. I built an extention that pushes the cowling out were it needs to be. Picture shows the extension and the 24oz of dead weight I added.
Posted on: 2/10/2012 7:45 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10952654

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Simple answer. Neoprene. It's the black rubbery stuff that's been used on cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers, string trimmers, anything with a gas engine. The good hobby shops are carrying it in the appropiate sizes these days. Forget the tygon and all the other crap. Neopene is the way to go. As far as size goes, I have a 12oz dubro tank in mine.
Posted on: 2/10/2012 7:16 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10950368

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Doug, I like your landing gear setup and have used something similar in the past. I can't decifer from the picture what the curly stuff is on the top. Is it some kind of rubber band? DW
Posted on: 1/26/2012 6:57 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10929751

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Hey Doug, Sorry, I guess because to me it is a miniature airplane first, and a scale warbird secound or maybe third. Ease of use is usually my first priority. If I was concerned strictly with scale it wouldn't be there. But then it would also have a five thousand dollar radial engine.
Posted on: 1/24/2012 5:29 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10925937

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think
The weight of fuel is not considered when balancing this plane. Balance is measured with an EMPTY fuel tank. I would estimate the weight of an empty fuel tank at about the weight of a servo. So you are good there. When you put your battery in then nose you are in fact ahead of the game because it can take the place of the dead weight that you would otherwise need to put there. Your speed control, taking the place of another servo. Also a plus. I would think that lightening holes in the tail pieces would be a plus, also in the pod, as it will not have the stress of carrying the weight of fuel, only the motor. Wherever you can save weight on this plane, do it. Mine was built according to plans with a .46, and it flys like a lead sled. Also, there is no prop relief on the plans. You would have to make modifications where interference would otherwise occur between the larger prop and the wing surface. But, that shouldn't be very hard to do.
Posted on: 1/23/2012 11:15 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10923405

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
SkyPilot; I didn't want to use a servo to operate the choke, prefering to keep it simple. I tried a lever that twisted on an axis to open and close it, but it wanted to bind up and it took too much torque to turn it. With a little experimenting I came up with this lever setup and so far it has worked very well. The rod is a piece of welding rod with a washer soldered near the end and collets to hold it in place. The bracket has a small slot in it that allows the rod to dance around a little bit while moving forward and aft.
Posted on: 1/23/2012 10:20 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10923063

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Here is a system I am trying on the pup to absorb shock on the landing gear. It is probably similar to what you may find on a Cub.
Posted on: 1/23/2012 8:15 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10923079

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think
drumduan, I have found that weight and it's distribution on this airplane are very critical. It must be kept as light as posssible. I have found that that an OS46 is just barely enough power if you are at or even below the called out building weight. A OS55 would be better, so unless your electric system has got lots of power and low weight I would rethink going that way. Adding any weight to the tail only makes the problem worse and I am told that raising the pod causes all kind of problems. It's probably better to put a relief in the top of the wing for prop clearance. The best way to improve the problems that arise with this plane may be in finding a way to move the engine forward, thus achieving balance with less weight. Good Luck DW
Posted on: 1/23/2012 7:28 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Seaplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10923021

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Hey Guys, My Pup is close to complete and I am finding that even with the DLE 30 standing off the firewall by what I thought was a lot, I am still going to need about 24oz of weight in the cowl to get the balance correct. Is this a lot for this model? DW
Posted on: 1/21/2012 6:15 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10919724

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
[quote]ORIGINAL: Zor [quote]ORIGINAL: senrak Hey Zor, Okay, I see what you're getting at. But what advantage would there be to a setup like that? The only possible advantage I can to see is maybe less pressure on the shaft bearing, and then only at certain times. DW [/quote] Why repeat myself ? I posted how I do it. You do it the way you feel like doing it. ( This line is just repeating
Posted on: 1/18/2012 2:51 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10915667

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
Hey Zor, Okay, I see what you're getting at. But what advantage would there be to a setup like that? The only possible advantage I can to see is maybe less pressure on the shaft bearing, and then only at certain times. DW
Posted on: 1/18/2012 1:42 PM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10915559

RE: Balsa USA 1/4 Sopwith Pup build
5blue, How is the spreader bar on your example held to the landing gear strut? It appears to be only by the rubber band. Is that the case? DW
Posted on: 1/18/2012 8:17 AM by Author "senrak" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10915106