[dean2287]

Just got my Hog Bipe kit this morning from a seller in Colorado. Looked it over and browsed the manual - looks like a pretty easy building kit, lots of laser cut parts and pre-fab. I started a few little things like the engine mount and some of the fuse pre-assembly. I'll post up a few pics as it progresses.

[DO335]

I'm on my secoind Hog Bipe now.

Yes, there are several laser cut parts. However, check everything carefully before gluing. I've found that in many cases the fit of the laser cut bits is poor. Laser cutting is not the great saviour that everyone believes. If your cut is wrong, it doesn't matter how much laser cutting there is.

For example, the cuts in fuse doublers for the tabs on the firewall are at least 1/16" too wide. That gap must be filled to ensure proper alignement, consturciton and strength.

The tabs on the rear bulkheads are the right length. But when the bulkheads touch the fuselage sides, the tabs protrude about 1/16" and there is no space left for the rear deck sheeting where it is to follow the curvature of the tops of the bulkheads to form the trurtledeck. So something needs to be adjusted. You could fill the gaps between the bulheads and sides or trim the tabs and cut down the curved tps so that the sheeting will fit.

The doublers must be carefully aligned and checked against the fuselage sides or you'll have problems fitting the other parts that go into that area, such as the alignment blocks and braces for the wing cabanes.

Nothing hard here. Just requires care and some adjustments.

[dean2287]

Thanks for the advice! I've been looking at some other build threads for some guidance also. Mine came with additional instructions for dual aileron servos, which I think means that it is the newer kit.

I haven't built from a kit with so much pre-cut wood. I agree though that laser-cut doesn't mean precision-cut, and if it isn't right it can be tough to correct. Sig kits fly pretty good though, and even the Kougar I built a while back, which is FAR from perfect, flies really well.

Another project I have waiting is a scratch build Goldberg Bucker Jungmann. I've got all the plans and manuals plus the original stickers and a parts catalogue (not that it will help as it's all discontinued). That one will likely end up being a verrry long-term build.

[thuebner]

Hey Dean, hope you enjoy building your Hog. When I built mine I moved the main landing gear mounting block forward 1/2" to help prevent nose overs. It was a good thing I did because I still have some issues with prop strikes if the runway grass is not cut short. I have wheel pants installed so this will also contribute to the nose overs. Moving the gear ahead is a common mod for the HB.

[dean2287]

Originally Posted by thuebner

Hey Dean, hope you enjoy building your Hog. When I built mine I moved the main landing gear mounting block forward 1/2" to help prevent nose overs. It was a good thing I did because I still have some issues with prop strikes if the runway grass is not cut short. I have wheel pants installed so this will also contribute to the nose overs. Moving the gear ahead is a common mod for the HB.

Thanks Travis, that's already on the list. I'm also definitely doing dual aileron servos, and probably a dual elevator pushrod. My big consideration is a cowl. I'm going to run a .90 2 stroke mounted 90 deg with a Pitts muffler, so I have to cut out the side of the fuse. I'll either build up a balsa "cowl" or look at an aftermarket solution.

[thuebner]

Have you seen this site before?

http://www.fubarhill.com/sighog6.htm

Plenty of Hogs with cowls installed here. Fiberglass specialties seems to be a popular place to get cowlings from.

http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/cowlkit.htm

[dean2287]

Thanks Travis - I've seen that site, it's a good one for deciding on a trim and yes there are a few custom cowls there.

Here's what I've done so far - just the beginnings. I added some width to the gear block to move it ahead 1/2" or more. Nothing's glued in yet, just fitting. There's a pic of the engine I'm using also.

[dean2287]

Well, I certainly won't be ordering a Fibreglass Specialties cowl...$30 isn't bad, but another $30 for shipping? Forget it!

[chuebner]

Originally Posted by dean2287

Well, I certainly won't be ordering a Fibreglass Specialties cowl...$30 isn't bad, but another $30 for shipping? Forget it!

Check with your local hobby shop, they might be able to get you one in on a regular stock order.

[dean2287]

Good thought Curt, I'll look into that. There are a few replacement cowls for ARFs that might work also, such as that for a Corsair or Sopwith Camel.

Here's a little more building on the fuse. I found that once the firewall and F5 are glued in, it's very difficult to get the rear section to fit the bottom plate, as the sides are stiff and prefer to be rounded rather than straight. I had to clamp the heck out of it, and just hope that it holds. The rest is a piece of cake.