Sig Somethin' Extra

[inverted flyer]

I'm currently buildind a Sig Somethin' Extra and I'd like some advice from anyone who's built one or who can give me an engineer's perspective...

1. The plug in wings are quite sturdy (sheeted D-box) but with the double ply sandwich root rib they seem a little heavy. Is this doubling of heavy ply in the root overkill, and would it hurt if I made some (strategic) lightening holes in one or both?

2. Should the firewall (bulkhead) be set back a little to accomodate a longer saito 56 4-stroke?

3. Can two servos be put down the tail for rudder & elevator if the plane is building nose heavy? (I'm doing built-up tail feathers and ailerons instead of the stock slabs of balsa, so it should build out a little nose heavy)

Any advice on these questions will be greatly appreciated...thanks in advance

inverted flyer:confused:

[RCurtis]

I'm just finishing up my second Somethin' Extra. I love this design! I ran an O.S. .46 FX on the first and will probably do the same on the second. A number of guys in our club have built these...several have run O.S. Surpass 70 for 3D flying. A 46 is more than sufficient for my level of flying....I felt the 70 4 strokes were overkill, but I think the Saito 56 will be a very good match.

Regarding the wing ribs...I don't think 2 or 3 lightening holes would hurt, but I doubt that it would make a huge difference. The firewall *does* seem to be a bit forward...even with a 46, but I don't know what that might do as far as the strength in the nose. You *might* could just extend the side panels somewhat and accomplish the same goal.

Can't comment too much about the servos in the tail...sounds logical if you know for a fact that you're going to be nose heavy...but as you know the tail area does not have alot of structural strength.

[Aresti46]

Here is my two cents:

1) You don't need to modify that wing at all, that plane is really light, mine will hover no problem on a .46FX.

2) If you want you can move the firewall back, I didn't have to b/c of the 2 stroke

3)If it is going to be nose heavy go for the two servos, that would be pretty cool. I didn't do it b/c I don't have a computer radio to mix in any cool stuff.

Hope that helps and good luck w/ it, its a great plane

[inverted flyer]

Thanks very much for both your inputs, ...Im' only doing the second wing now but I like the build and apart from the slight warp in the ply root rib it's going together in a fairly fuss free manner...man am i a slow builder though!

[Darren Muncy]

Hi i have two of these wonderful aircraft the only problem that i have found with the design is that the landing gear needed to be moved foreward two inches . the 56 sato is a good choice one of the two i have is powered by a 56 sato and the other is powered by a os 46 fx with a mac pipe. the build is pretty straight foreward . just build it by book and you will have a great flyer.

[Viper Pilot]

I've flown my SE for a year now and love it!!!

No mods needed, IMHO.

One question, though . . . . . could my OS 0.46 FX be replaced with a 0.61??

Or is this over-kill??

My plane already hovers (at least for a few seconds) but I'm looking for ULV.

VP

[Ulf Rieder]

I've flown my SE for a year now and love it!!!

No mods needed, IMHO.

One question, though . . . . . could my OS 0.46 FX be replaced with a 0.61??

Or is this over-kill??

My plane already hovers (at least for a few seconds) but I'm looking for ULV.

VP

Thought you didn't like all the 3D stuff ??? :p ;)
Yeah put the 61 on there but don't forget to re-balance. Should be awesome power and fly great !

Ulf

[Viper Pilot]

Thought you didn't like all the 3D stuff ??? :p ;)
Yeah put the 61 on there but don't forget to re-balance. Should be awesome power and fly great !

Ulf

Ulf :p :p :p

It's not that I "didn't like all the 3D stuff", it's that I can't do most very well!!

I do like to do multiple spins (lots of them) and I want my plane to be a "dot in the sky" when I enter the spins!!

BTW, spins are considered 3D, right?? I mean, the plane is flying slower than stall speed, right?? Maybe I AM a 3Der after all!! :D :D

Actually, when I think about it, I like 3D, but 3Ders don't like me!!! :p :p

VP

[Enriki]

I installed a pull pull on the rudder with the servo located up side down in the bottom of fuse with just the arm sticking out, elivator servo was located in the tail also. Saito .72 up front with 13X6 APC, firewall was pinned, 1" added to rudder, 3/4" added to elivator.

[Sport Flyer]

I'm pretty sure balance would become an issue with any SE using a 4 stroke or a larger, 60 sized two stroke. I built mine relatively stock except for a larger rudder and set up my radio gear also as per plans. I use a Irvine 53 w Macs one-piece muffler. For 3d type flying I had to add a couple ounces of tailweight. My brother put a pumped OS 61 SF in his and needed to put his rudder and elevator servos in the back to compensate.

[Bullmax]

Hi guys, have you thought about the OS 55, way stronger than the 46

[propnut07]

I love my something extra with a 46.I am building another one and have a good 0s 50 to bolt on.I have seen them built using a older 61.the new os 55 will make it a rocket but then theres throttle control right?I wouldnt worry about lighting holes the plane builds light!I use cable ties to hold the wings on rather than rubber bands.the plane is a blast and because its two separate wings it travels well in smaller spaces.just a great goto plane.

[bowhunter_769]

I'm building my first SE. I'm ready to cover it. I don't know how it will turn out, but 'm putting an OS 55 on it. How do yall like the control rods that came with the kit? I'M thinking about going with sullivan flexable golden rods.

[ivanc]

Hi guys, have you thought about the OS 55, way stronger than the 46 yet a couple ounces lighter. :rolleyes:I think you have this wrong - the 55AX is 1.1oz (w/o muffler)/1.3oz (w/muffler) heavier than the 46AX. ;) There's no way a much bulkier engine (the 55AX) could weigh less.

Ivan

[Murocflyer]

Does the SSE have room inside for a 6V Rx battery setup? Should I buy it flat or stacked?

Thanks,

Frank

[Sotos]

Hiya Frank,

Been a while since I had my SE, but you should have room for a stacked 5 cell pack right behind the fuel tank, ahead of the ele/rud servos. Or.....

I'd go with a 2 cell A123 pack if you have a charger that can take em.

2 cell A123 pack from a Black & Decker VPX pack should run you less than $20 if you can find one.

[Murocflyer]

Sotos,

Thanks for the response. I hope the flat 5 cells will work as I just ordered them from CBP just this morning.

I'm really looking forward to getting my SSE. The nice thing about it is that I'll be able to leave the wing on when I take it to the field. Since I have the motor and servos from my Code 3 Pulse XT I'll be able to get it in the air quickly.

Frank

[RMan75]

Here are photos of my SE with OS .55 installed. Other than replacing the nylon push rods with metal, it is stock build. I may regret not adding more surface to the rudder, but we shall see.

[Toysrme]

On my second SE. First one had a stock sized tail with a pull-pull rudder, max throws on the tail. Raptor .46 (equiv to an OS 46FX with more 17k+high rpm power). With a 10*7, 11*5, 11*4 or 12.25*3.75 APC the SE could mostly hover, with no punch for climbouts.


I would strongly recommend a .60 2-stroke swinging an 11*6-11*8 prop VS any sub .60 sized 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine. The SE is very 3D able, but not with a sub .60 2-stroke. Youll never get the punch-out you want!
There are times where trying to swing a 12" prop on the SE's short landing gear make the thrust not worth it!

With a .60 you wont find yourself re-inventing the tail sections to get enough rudder control (which the SE painfully lacks). At most, cut the elevators out slightly so that the rudder has atleast 45* of travel.

[MikeMcChiken]

I always liked the look of the SE but never much thought of it as a prefered 3D ship . What kinda weights are you guys coming in at with a Saito 72 ? This plane looks heavy . It does have a nice fat airfoil . Ought to get some good floating action out of it .

[Dino78]

Does this plane really need the tail hardware braces? It would seem to be plenty strong without them!