mkpalmiero

I'm thinking of building a Sig 1/5 scale cub. Is anyone building one? I'm looking for any advice or tips I know Sig kits have a good reputation, but seasoned builders have a lot of knowledge to share

Dr1Driver

Built one many years ago. It's a builder's kit, lots of stringers and stick wood. However, it can be built VERY scale, and it's a great looking/flying model. There are no bad surprises. Just take it slow, read each step thoroughly and you'll do fine. Don't overpower it. A .45-.55 4 stroke will be great, and will fly it in a scale-like manner with a large diameter/flat pitch prop.

Warning: Sig has the capability to shrink balsa when packing. Once the parts are removed from the box, they will NEVER go back in!!!

Dr.1

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

I built one a couple years ago, still flying it, a great plane. I'm not sure if it's the same kit that DR Driver built, as this one is laser cut, and the fuse's lower half is a "trussed box " with formers and stringers for the top of the fuse. Wing struts are spruce, and FUNCTIONAL, wing tube to join the halves, will fly very scale on a .56 4-stroke. The 1/5 plans are also set up to build either the full span or clipped wing, if you want more aerobatic potential. I'd recommend a .65 to .72 4-stroke especially if you clip the wings. Robart and William Wallace both make a very nice set of scale landing gear in the $100-$125 range if you really want to fix it up, but the wire gear in the kit is very adequate.

Don41

I know it's been a while since you posted this but if you're a slow builder (like me) and have not yet built the wings I'd suggest that you pre-glue the blind nuts in those strut attachment points. If you follow the manual you'll find it almost impossible to complete this step properly on the front mounts. Other than that (I'm pretty much done with the structure) I have nothing but praise for this Sig kit.

Should the unthinkable happen I will definitely build the kit again.

bps

My Feedback: (3)

I beleve that the 1/5 scale kit is the laser cut kit and the 1/6 scale kit is the "Sig Builders" kit with lots of building, sticks... I have built the 1/6 scale. Took me a winter to do it, but I love to build and take my time.
JEB

papermache

My Feedback: (35)

The 1/5 scale laser cut kit is a great build. Excellent results and great detailing opportunities.
One tip - make sure you run your pull-pull rudder cables BEFORE covering. The instructions say after, but it's a hassle and a half. Believe me, I know.

papermache

rogsteele

Thanks for the tip on the pull pull rudder, I'm just about ready to cover mine, it's been a great kit to build

goldwaterman

I've been building the Sig 1/5 cub. Nice kit! My plans are an OS 70S II Surpass, Wallace gear with a few extra scale details. Aluminum cowl boot, etc. I'm going with cub yellow coverite fabric. I took .750 off the nose to fit the 70 mounted on an os mount. What is it they say about the best laid plans!

goldwaterman

Here's another shot with a box i built to house the electronics and battery. [ So much for scale!! } I've been having fun with 1/8 dowels in preparation for sheeting and covering the interior. This is my first RC plane. Maybe i should have stuck with plastic models! My next kit is going to be a Dynaflight SD, or a Hostettler 30% Super Decathlon. These threads are better than any instruction manual. You guys are Great! Special thanks to KHodges for the tips!

goldwaterman

1/5 sig piper cub. Be careful not to break the cabin posts at this stage!

mkpalmiero

khodges, thats a great looking military cub, is that a sig kit, how much work to convert to military?
I would like to build a 1/5 scale to military.

boxbeam

My Feedback: (188)

Just a suggestion you may want to consider. The cabin structure on the Cub is susceptable to major damage if you catch a wing on the landing or even an easy crash (if there even is such a thing). I reinforced the four cabin uprights with another layer of 1/8" light ply just to give it a little more strength just in case it has one of those unfortunate scenarios.

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks, it's the same kit Goldwaterman is building. The greenhouse is pretty straightforward, basically it's just substituting the kit center section and wing tube assembly for a framework of hardwood that creates the windows of the greenhouse. I used basswood and spruce square stock for the crossmembers, doubled the thickness of the airfoil shaped piece where the wings attach. Instead of butt-jointing the crossmembers, the wing root is notched to receive them; it gives more glue surface area, plus I pinned the joints. The round framework is 1/4 and 3/16 dowels, and they do share part of the load. The four cabin uprights that boxbeam mentioned are reinforced with dowels, the angled ones that rise from the cabin floor to the center spar are reinforced with carbon fiber bar stock (1/8x3/16). Indeed, these are what breaks in a ground loop where you catch a wingtip.

goldwaterman

Thanks. That's a good idea! I'll build them up, before i crack another one! Mike.

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

Just make sure the uprights maintain the slight bend and same relationship to the framework. This determines the dihedral angle of the wings.

goldwaterman

Yes, Thank you. I save all of my cutout scrap. I can duplicate the parts if need be. That L-4 of yours is really sweet! I have another kit on the shelf. Down the road, I think I'll build one.

goldwaterman

I've been doing some interior work on the cub, prior to building up the fuselage. The side panels are 3/32 sheet covered with coverite. The seats are scrap balsa upholstered with material cut from a womans purse. I'll add seatbelts and other details later. Cub yellow aerogloss was used in the compartments.

goldwaterman

The cabin flooring, and the top of the electronics box are 1/32 walnut sheet. My slimline extreme pilot "Gramps" says. " Ya gut me all gussied up ta go flyin here, Sonny! Now git off yer duff and get this Cub in the air !!

Don41

I like what you did with the cabin (I wish I had done more to mine) I'm wondering though,,, where are you going to mount servos,batteries,etc? Is there room?

goldwaterman

Thank you! The servos will sit in the kit supplied tray in the baggage compartment area. The battery, receiver and switch all go under the seats in a box i built to protect them. The top lid is removable through the doorway to access the electronics. This makes the seats look funny though, because they had to be made short to fit on top of the box! Mike

goldwaterman

Here are a few shots of the cabin assembly. strut members and interior wing ribs.

goldwaterman

Adding the left side fuselage and window doublers, and test fitting the cabin top window section.

goldwaterman

I have added the cabin and nose sheeting. Installed the remaining bulkheads and glued fuselage stringers in place. I went with hardwood on all but the spruce top stringer. We'll see how that flies. I glued the door doubler on the wrong side! So i had to make another one from 3/32 sheet.

Yak18

My Feedback: (11)

Hey whatever happened to this beautiful cub build?

Yak

goldwaterman

Hello, Thanks for asking. I've unfortunatly had to shelve the cub project for a while. But she's back on the bench, now. The wings are built and i'm working on the struts now. I made some mistakes with the hinging of the tailfeathers, so those will have to be redone! Here are some shots of the model now. Best regards, Mike[img][/img]