Sig Wonder Build

[jsknockoff]

I picked up a Sig Wonder from Tower while ordering some supplies for the Cub I’m building for the Fall Build. I had a chance to open it up this morning and take a look at the plans. First thought, this thing is built like a tank! It was designed around using a fairly large for the size glow engine which would justify the beefy airframe. For my Wonder I will be doing some mild lightening and using an outrunner of modest size. I don’t want a guided missle, I’d like a quick sport plane that will hold up to a bit of abuse. Plans also call for 3 standard servos and a full size receiver as well as the glow engine, fuel tank, and flight battery. I should be able to shed some significant ounces by using smaller servos, a modern receiver, and the electric motor setup. I’ll be getting started on this one immediately after the Cub.

 

[rockyboy]

What's the suggested weight of the original? It'll be interesting to watch this one go on a diet

 

[Joker 53150]

You'll remove some of the glow-weight, but add much of it right back in with the battery tray, battery, access hatch, etc. It should still be lighter than with glow, and you can shave a few grams here & there by lightening other parts where possible. I did something similar with a Hobby King Red Swan glider balsa kit that was WAY over-built. My first Red Swan was built per the plans, and the second was done as an exercise in weight-reduction. The final weight was about 20% lighter than the original, which is fantastic for a glider. Hopefully Sig has good quality wood picked out to start with, and you may be able to add lightening holes to the ribs, maybe use thinner sheet and re-cut the ribs, use smaller bracing, etc. If you look back at the build thread I did quite a while back for that Red Swan "lite" I did it may give some other ideas.

 

[rockyboy]

Wow - a 20% weight reduction would be a huge difference in stall speed and lift! And lower takeoff and landing speeds too... all good things in my book

 

[jsknockoff]

Projected weight per the plan is 26-38oz. There are a lot of different ways to pull weight out of this plane, my goal is to get the weight down 30%.

 

[SP0NZ]

I bought a kit over a year ago, still sitting in the box. Would love to get mine built as well. Maybe this winter. I am also planning on making mine electric.

 

[jsknockoff]

It should be a fairly straight forward conversion. The only thing I noticed is that the cowling will need to be closed in on the nose with some triangle stock to shape for the spinner. Everything else seems pretty standard.