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Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Old 05-14-2005, 08:41 PM
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DrDeath
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Default Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

I am about to come into the possession of a 1/3 partially completed Sig Spacewalker. I have looked through all of the threads that has any mention of the word Spacewalker and there doesn't seem to be a lot of "Information" about building these things. What I have gathered is that the G38 will fly it very scale like, though some would like to put a 62 in the nose. I am thinking about making this my first fully scaled out bird. I have been to a website www.spacewalker.org reviewing different paint schemes. I have a couple of questions.

1) What are some of the gotchas I need to worry about?
2) Has anyone gone with a ZDZ 40 for this plane and if so how does it fly?
3) This plane is too good for plastic so I will cover it with cloth any suggestions for someone who hasn't used dope in about 25 plus years?
4) Anything else someone who as built this think can say to help me with this project.

Thanks in advance.

Hopeful new Spacewalker owner
Lee
Old 05-14-2005, 10:11 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

DrDeath

> 1) What are some of the gotchas I need to worry about?
If you decide to paint, be very carefull not to put on too much as they end up tail heavy very easily.

> 2) Has anyone gone with a ZDZ 40 for this plane and if so how does it fly?
I used a Zenoah 45 in mine and it balanced spot-on. The ZDZ40 is very light so you will have to use pull-pull or push-rods for your rudder and elevator. Even then you might end up tail heavy. BTW - The G62 & the G45 weigh almost the same. Your choice should be determined by the altitude where you live. A Saito 300 twin looks very cool and the heads look scale too sticking out of the cowl!

> 3) This plane is too good for plastic so I will cover it with cloth any suggestions for someone who hasn't used dope in about 25 plus years?
I used 21 Century fabric on mine. No need to paint and looks very good. It is more expensive than plastic film but is very scale like. The only other down side is that it weighs more than film.

>4) Anything else someone who as built this think can say to help me with this project.
Keep it light!

Safe Flying!
Old 05-15-2005, 09:06 AM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Thanks blikseme300

I am heading to church and will be picking it up from a fellow flyer around 4:00 pm today. I can't beat the price on this model, $125!!! He got it from another flyer before he passed away for free. He will use the money for some kids he teaches in an after school airplane club.

I was thinking about 21 Century fabric on mine or the Worldtex that Hanger 9 puts out. What servos did you use on yours? I am thinking about Hitec 5625s since I can get them at a reasonible price or 625s. The engine choice will boil down to price. A Saito 300 is much more than I would care to spend. I also want to stick with gas due to the economy of it. I have two gassers already and like being able to fly for $2.50.

THanks
Old 05-15-2005, 12:08 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Dr. Death,
I have seen several of these fly, and I think they fly scale like on a gasser around the 38-45 cc mark. A fellow has one at our field with a G38, and it flys very scale like aerobatics, and if anything, is somewhat overpowered. His is covered in cloth and painted. In my opinion, one of the great things about scale giant sized models is that they are flying on the wing, not just the engine. Now I am not an advocate to underpowering an aircraft, but a cub flying knife edge or having much vertical performance is not very prototypical. As with all aircraft, keeping them as light as possible will make them fly better, and definately improve glide characteristics, but putting a huge engine in one destroys scale effect for me. Greg Hahn had a wonderful article in MAN a few years ago ( don't remember the issue) where he described how to power a model based upon the full scale power to weight ratio. One of the real eye openers was that a G38 will fly a Ziroli AT6 very scale like, instead of using the stand by G62. I have seen a friends AT6 fly very well at 27 pounds using a koritz 40 cc engine. A lot of performance has to do with matching the prop to the airframe as well. I'd do some research, if you are going to try and power your model " scale like".
Hope this helps,
Bryan
Old 05-15-2005, 06:17 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

I have a 1/3 Sig Spacewalker and I'm running an older Quadra 42 in it. This engine is a great match for this plane. You can get a US 41 (same as the Quadra 42) for pretty cheap and it will fly the plane great. It has enough power to do scale aerobatics and get you out of trouble, but not too much that it doesn't seem scale like. It is a great flying airplane and one of my favourites.

I've flown one with a G-45 (had a little more power, but generally handles the same) and I've seen one with a G-62. The G-62 provided much more power and allowed the plane to do more extreme aerobatics.

Mine is covered in Supercoverite and sprayed with Latex.

Grizak
Old 05-16-2005, 09:52 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Thanks guys for all of the information. I thought I would post some pictures of my next project. The plane needs a lot of work. I took some pictures before I started the restoration project. The first thing I needed to do was strip off the old partial covering. It needed to be replaced and I wanted to inspect the joints. The plane was put together with some form of wood glue. I will make sure that all of the joints are tight and the ones that aren't hit them with some CA.
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Old 05-16-2005, 09:54 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

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Old 05-16-2005, 09:56 PM
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DrDeath
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

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Old 05-16-2005, 09:57 PM
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DrDeath
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

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Old 05-24-2005, 01:37 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

That glue looks like the Ambroid Cement I used 47 years ago when I started flying U-Control. They still sell it (I think) so it must be pretty good. The covering looks pretty good on it. Are you sure you want to rip it off? It looks like it may be silk. If you can find that stuff now I hear it's about $15.00/yard or more. If it is silk it is very light and pretty strong. Takes Dope really well. A couple of brushed on coats of clear and it will be pretty well sealed.

Bob
Old 05-24-2005, 02:12 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Hey Bob,

The pictures doesn't do the poor job justice. Plus the tail feathers needed to be fixed. The person started to put in Robart hinges and then he just plugged them with dowls. I have to decide if I will redrill them or go with flat hinges. I plan on using Solartex/Worldtex to cover the plan and paint for the accents. I am thinking about doing the Red/Black scheme to be a little different. The Yellow/Red reminds me of Ronald McDonald too much. The building has slowed down since I sliced my thumb open last Friday building a hatch and not paying attention. So I am just doing some sanding and puttying on the plan. I also reinforced the firewall yesterday with some fiberglass cloth/epoxy mix and some Gorilla glue.
Old 05-24-2005, 02:45 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Some times the "details" are lost in the photos. If you aren't happy with it then by all means tear it off.

Regarding your thumb my father had a saying; "stay off the hospital side of that tool."

I just bought a NIB Sig kit from RC Universe Marketplace today. I'll be putting an OS Pegasus FF-320 (flat four) in it. I bought the engine about 6 months ago and have been looking for a home for it. If this flies half as good as my 80" great Planes ARF I'll be thrilled.

I won't be starting to build until next winter. Keep me posted on your progress.

Bob
Old 05-24-2005, 08:34 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Will do Bob,

I went to see my doctor to day to see how things are healing. Long story short I decided to see if a number 11 Xacto knife could slice my thumb, well, it can. I had attached the middle section of the wing to the plane and was using it as a little bit of leverage to trim the hatch I was making on the front of the plane. I then thought I needed some extra leverage so I moved my hand down. Well, I was rushing to get out of the house and wasn't paying attention and luckily I sliced it long ways so I didn't hit any nerves. I was really lucky since I fly with just my thumbs! The doctor was really impressed with the way I sliced up my thumb. The only good thing was it was a brand new blade and didn't hurt at all. I have many more nastier things I could have done to my finger in my workshop such as a scroll saw or a mini table or chop saw.

I have been taking pictures of the progress and will post them soon. I have stripped and sanded the wing sections of the model. They are looking pretty good. I am still trying to decide if I am going to redo the tail feathers or just fix the current ones. I am leaning toward fixing the existing ones since they are very straight, but the Robart holes will need to be fixed. I plan on using a G-38 in this thing and will order mine next week. I think I plan on selling my little Funtana 40 to get some money to buy the engine and servos.

I will keep you guys posted on where I am with this project. Thanks again

Lee
Old 05-25-2005, 06:24 AM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Lee............. Ouch!

I had a similar accident a few 3 weeks ago, though not as bad. I was trimming something and my wife came home. I didn't hear her come in until she yelled down the cellar stairs "I'm home!". Well, I wasn't ready for that and it made me jump.

Btw, I read a builders report for this plane online yesterday. This looks to be quite a project!

Take care

Bob
Old 05-25-2005, 09:16 AM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

A guy at the field had a similar story with a band saw! His little girl yelled down and he was REAL lucky, only nicked his finger. Could have been a lot worse.

Do you have the link? I have seen a couple of things online. Even though from the pictures above looks like it is well on the way to being finished, there are a lot of things left on this plane to do. I have to redo some of the stringers since they are not perfectly straight. I have been adding CA to all of the joints to make sure that they are strong since some of them have been coming loose.

I have been out to the Spacewalker.org site and others to see the real one. There isn't a lot of pictures of real ones out there. Here are some of the links that I have found

http://www.spacewalker.org

http://www.warnerair.com/

Hope this helps

Lee
Old 05-25-2005, 09:40 AM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Hi Lee,

I did a Google Search on "Sig Spacewalker" (found this thread there too!)

and I came up with this

http://www.rrcc.org/reviews/spacewalker/spacewalker.htm

It has everything including pics of each assembly.

Thanks for the links.

Bob
Old 05-25-2005, 09:53 AM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

NICE LINK!

Since I am on a boaring conference call I can review it now
Old 05-25-2005, 01:15 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Bob (Meesh),

OK, now will you get back to work !!

John
Old 05-25-2005, 01:21 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Hi John,

Probably not! I'm having more fun doing this.

Ok Mr. Gadjet! Any good ideas about coming up with an on board starter system for the OS Pegasus? Now wouldn't that be cool?

Bob

Old 05-25-2005, 01:24 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

I tried to send and email to Robert on that site you submitted. Email was kicked back. I am waiting for a response from the owner of the main site on new information.

I would like to see how some people attached the aileron servos to the ailerons. I have some ideas, but would like to see what others have done.
Old 05-25-2005, 01:35 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Lee,

I noticed that the last post there is over a year old. Maybe the gentleman passed away?

Bob
Old 05-25-2005, 01:47 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

I thought the same thing. Hopefully he didn't and I will be able to touch base with him.
Old 05-25-2005, 08:40 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Bob,

He is alive and kicking! I have exchanged a few emails with him. The plane is complete, but hasn't flown yet. He will send me pictures in a couple of weeks of the following

1) Aileron linkages
2) Rudder linkages
3) Elevator
4) Cockpit

Etc.

I will keep you abreast of the progress
Old 05-26-2005, 06:22 AM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

Hi Lee,

I'm glad to hear that. It's nice to know I'll have someone to go to with questions if I get stuck.

His build write up is very detailed.

Good Luck. I know yours will be ready to fly Looooong before mine will.

Bob
Old 05-28-2005, 09:38 PM
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Default RE: Sig 1/3 Spacewalker

More Progress.

I have finished taking off all of the old covering and have sanded some of the wing structure. I have also fiberglassed inside of the firewall and added some Gorilla glue because of a gap between the side and the triangle stock. I have finshed making sure the wing was straight and I have cut open the cockpit. I have started fixing the tail feathers since the tail feathers had holes drilled into them for Robarts that were to big for the wood. I forgot to take measurements with me for the balsa wood for the part I need to replace so the wood that was purchased is a little too thin. I will buy more tomorrow. I will post pictures of the horizontal later on. Here is what we have so far. The picture of the firewall is before the adding of the side wing dowl brace and fiberglassing the firewall. I will show that one later

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