Sig Staggerwing build thread...

[JPvelo]

Probably not the most exciting build thread but here goes.
All the parts punched out and sanded:
https://i.imgur.com/veqDyFS.jpg
And starting to come together:
https://i.imgur.com/Zqw3Mqo.jpg
Cut a new firewall from 1/4 ply, the kit supplied one seemed a little thin for blind nuts. I also wanted to have something more substantial to sink the cowling screws into. Since I fly from a stooge over grass I will be leaving the landing gear off.
This plane will get a bladder fed reed valve with a Tee Dee cylinder/piston. The motor tachs @ 17,500 on 15% nitro. I think my next fuel purchase will be 30% mixed with 10% castor, should be fun!
Here's a link to the finished model:
http://brodak.com/sig-beechcraft-staggerwing.html

[Ken Cook]

Jim, the Staggerwing is actually a pretty good flyer until the power quits.It has the aerodynamics of a brick, on the glide pattern. It typically cartwheels on landing even with the gear so glue the struts well or it's shedding parts on landing. My best flying version was lightened up a bit. I used a 2" holes saw and drilled as many holes as I could symmetrically across the wings. The wings were covered with iron on covering afterwards. I had severe warping issues with the box stock wood on the stab and rudder as well. This was mainly due to the incorrect choice of balsa. Seeing that I built a few of these, I was well aware that the model could use a bit of tail weight and I switched the rudder to bass wood and the elevator. Since your choosing no gear, you may just balance out quite nicely, this will keep the weight and drag down which may also assist in some good flying. My basswood parts were the same thickness as the kit built model. The stock control horn is a poor design, it utilizes a single screw to retain it and has literally no foot print to prevent it from crushing the elevator material. Seeing I used the bass, it prevented the crushing but it will rotate unless you epoxy it to the wing in conjunction with the screw. You usually discover this problem right when you get the plane trimmed out and you crash it. That's when you discover where the fuse breaks which is typically behind the lower rear wing. A 1/2A Dubro is a much better choice. I usually run the screws in prior to installing a few times to eliminate the possibility of slipping with the screwdriver and poking a hole in the stab.

The landing gear has a tendency to punch through the bottom wing. I laid a piece of 3/4 oz glass cloth on the bottom first prior to installing the wire which stopped that. Seeing you won't be using it, it's a non issue. My suggestion for the cowl is in regards to using it. I know it looks cool when you drill a perfect hole and have the cylinder neatly and cleanly projection from it. First problem, the cowling melts due to the heat. The second is you can't prime the cylinder due to the exhaust port not projecting enough which requires you to make a larger hole. I made a keyhole shaped hole which allowed the syringe to get in directly behind the cylinder and this kept the overall hole smaller around the cylinder so that it looked like it was customized rather than a butchered hole. If you choose to paint it like I did, dope must be done sparingly and quickly with light coats due to the plastic melting.

The paint will wash off of the plastic due to trying to prime the engine. The plastic which I believe is ABS plastic has a substantial amount of mold release on it. Washing with hot soapy water prior to painting is important to keeping the paint from sheeting off . Switching to Nelson Hobby polyurethane which is formulated for plastic/epoxy solved the fuel washing off. I top coated with clear Nelson. The cowling has two recess's within the front. Again it looks great if you cut out just enough for the engine case, but it overheats the engine due to insufficient air flow. Open the cowling in the front as wide as possible. I used a Black Widow and the vents were getting screwed up due to insufficient airflow as well. I had to cut small pieces of tubing to extend them out above and below the cowling. I cut 45 deg angles on the tubing and placed them into the slipstream of airflow. We have these little seeds around here in the grass which constantly get sucked into the engine's reed valve. I was taking the engine on and off so many times this required me to take the cylinder off as well in order to take the cowling off. At that point, I made a U shaped cut in the cowling which although wasn't the prettiest, it made the engine service removable.

A good flyer and I also think it looks great in the air. I currently have one of these remaining which I fly every now and then. Show us some pics when your completed. Ken

[JPvelo]

All right, here's the new firewall with 4-40 blind nuts waiting for install:
https://i.imgur.com/rJF8od7.jpg
Cowling fit and install:
https://i.imgur.com/Kf5g61r.jpg
Cheek blocks sanded down:
https://i.imgur.com/WGYaMEX.jpg
Going with monokote hinges, easy, effective, and a good use for monokote now that I've discovered ultracote:
https://i.imgur.com/INs8Xcx.jpg
Reinforced tail surfaces and wing struts for gear up landing in the grass (thanks for the tip Ken, your advice and insight is always appreciated):
https://i.imgur.com/LhKNuIB.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ufFXdCk.jpg
And, startingto resemble a model airplane!
https://i.imgur.com/gllUJcE.jpg

[JPvelo]

I installed hard mounts for the bladder tube and brushed the front end with thinned epoxy for fuel proofing:
https://i.imgur.com/fyrJk4m.jpg

Sneak preview of the Color scheme:
https://i.imgur.com/CfC6Yu4.jpg

[JPvelo]

Here's photos of the nearly completed model, should fly tomorrow.
https://i.imgur.com/rSuhPcR.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rbEnsXC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PboIjlm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/GVIZWVP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2Mlq1LI.jpg

[RknRusty]

JP, that's an absolute beauty. I can't believe I've missed this whole thread, I usually read everything you post. Great job. The colors are marvelous, I can't wait to see her fly.

[Cribbs74]

I'll second that. It looks really good. Let us know how it maidens.

Ron

[JPvelo]

All right loaded in the stooge and ready to go.
https://i.imgur.com/KoZ2QdC.jpg

First flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMfULHBS7R8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Got a few more flights in then this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6OvW1RHbrQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Lines went waaay slack overhead and pulled out of the bellcrank when the slack was taken up. Here's what she looks like now.
https://i.imgur.com/nPylJmP.jpg
On a side note the plane was painted with rustoleum four days ago and left to dry for two days in the car in 100 degree heat (car parked in full sun). The paint is completely unaffected by 15% nitro.

[SuperDave]

Ouch! That hurts even from here. Sorry.

Lack of engine offset, rudder offset or weight in outboard wingtip or a combination?

SD

[Cribbs74]

Looks like it was just lack of tension that caused the whole mess.

Hard to tell, but what kind of overhead manouvers were you doing? It could very well be the plane no matter how well built (and it was) couldn't do what you were asking it to do. Those slab wingers have limitations. I suppose the real problem was the bellcrank coming loose. All this is pure speculation of course.

All I can say is it was a darn nice model and you did an excellent job on it. I hope you repair it. Major Bummer man.

Ron

[JPvelo]

The main problem was crappy knots at the bellcrank. It also would have benefited from more engine offset. It looked cool in the air but mushed trough monouvers like a slab winger for sure. BUT, the tee dee .09 I won on the bay showed up today and ran on a prime on the first flip. I traced all the staggering components before I built it, I see a 20% larger model with an .09 on it and built up wings sometime this summer...

[RknRusty]

Oh no, from beauty to splinters. I watched the first video about three times because I didn't want to see the last one.

[JPvelo]

https://i.imgur.com/zC20YMM.jpg
Built up wings, two inches more wingspan. I built one of these twenty five years ago and it was destroyed on it's first day out as well. I have a score to settle... (evil laugh)

[Cribbs74]

Looks amazing, I may buy a kit and do the same darn thing.

Make sure you buy some steel leadouts this go around.

Ron

[bullit132]

i have one of those ordered ill get some day now,dont like what im hearing or the photos im seeing

[JPvelo]

Looks amazing, I may buy a kit and do the same darn thing.

Make sure you buy some steel leadouts this go around.

Ron

If you order the kit also buy the extra cowl and decals. It will set you back another six bucks but knocks five bucks off of sigs asinine shipping and you'll be set if you want to cut a second kit.

Jim

[JPvelo]

i have one of those ordered ill get some day now,dont like what im hearing or the photos im seeing

Don't let the picks scare you, just use the solid wire leadouts in the kit

[JPvelo]

"I don't know man, it feels like we were just here not that long ago."
https://i.imgur.com/Ymi5Ia8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lVIMowY.jpg

[RknRusty]

JP, if it weren't for men like you with stick-to-itiveness, CL would never have gotten off the ground. I could use some of that after today's flying adventure.

[JPvelo]

JP, if it weren't for men like you with stick-to-itiveness, CL would never have gotten off the ground. I could use some of that after today's flying adventure.

Do tell, I hope it's not to bad.

[JPvelo]

Built up wings with two inches more span, increased tip weight, increased side thrust. Leadouts pull tested multiple times. The only parts from the original are the cowling, tail feathers, firewall, bellcrank platform, and bellcrank. Essentially a scratchbuilt airplane. Should maiden Thursday morning.
https://i.imgur.com/LDJyvh4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9kHu3yE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/l4nLAGB.jpg

[RknRusty]

We'll be watching for the report. I think you have a superior plane this time.

[Cribbs74]

Allright!!

Looks good, bet it flies even better. Patiently awaiting the flight report.

[JPvelo]

Will post video in a bit, here she is covered in castor and still in one piece!
https://i.imgur.com/upheis0.jpg

[Cribbs74]

Hooray!

Awaiting the video. How did it fly with built up wings?

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