SIG Astro Hog

Looked at the pictures and it looks like he is coming along quite well with it. You will love it. It is a fantastic flying airplane and is pretty easy to fly for a low wing plane. I like the idea of a 70 sized 4 stroke on it. I have an Enya 90 4 stroke on mine and it is overpowered. If I were to do it over I would go with a 70 also. If I can make a suggestion, talk to the builder and have him move the front landing gear forward about an inch from where the plans show. The gear as shown is right on the CG mark and the plane will nose over at the drop of a hat. I re-did the gear and moved it so the wheels line up with the LE of the wing and it is perfect now. Before it would not taxi on our grass runway at all even with full up elevator. Enjoy it once you have mastered your trainer. You will love it once you have the ability to fly it.

BTW, the focus of your next kit purchase should be an easy to build kit so you can get some building experience. The Astro Hog wasn't a hard kit to build, but there definately was some carving and shaping involved. However, I didn't have to fire up the chainsaw to get it done! There is nothing better than seeing something you put your sweat and even some blood into rise off the ground for the first time.

Good luck! David

Thanks David. I'm glad to hear that you think the 70 will be enough engine. I'm not looking for unlimited aerobatics. I just want to fly around, do some basic maneuvers, and make a smooth landing.

I take off and fly around pretty well with my ARF trainer; and Paul says his thumb gets sore from holding the button for the entire flight. Sometimes my landings can be pretty 'exciting'. I am getting better, and Paul says I should be ready to solo pretty soon. I did my first deadstick landing Saturday and it was actually one of my best landings so far.

I'll see if I can get the main gear moved forward, as we also fly from grass. I've seen photos of Hogs with aluminum gear bolted to the fuselage in front of the wings.

After I saw the Hog, with all of the blocks and compound curves, I was a little discouraged. I spoke to my instructor about how I really wanted to build something, even if only once, and he suggested building a trainer.

I did a little research and purchased a Great Planes PT-60. I downloaded the manual from the GP web site and read it a couple of times before I bought anything. It has really good instructions that were written on the assumption that the builder has little or no experience. It is a die cut kit, so most of the parts have needed some sanding and fitting.

I have the fuselage built and am working on the wings. I'm currently doing the wing sheeting. I've made my share of mistakes so far, but it appears to be pretty straight and it is strong. My brother came over and joined the wings for me, and I'll need his help for a few more things, but I've done the majority of it on my own.

Even though I should not "need" another trainer when this one is done, I'm very anxious to fly it. Maybe I'll like the PT-60 so much I'll try to sell my ARF trainer to a new person who needs an inexpensive entry into flying.

I'll see if I can take some photos of my progress and post them.

Regards, Carrell

It really isn't that hard to build. Just work on it a little at a time, follow the directions, and stay with it. Sooner that you realize, the plane begins to take shape and you're gaining a sense of progress. However, it looks your builder is doing a good job and is progressing quite quickly. The Astro-Hog is one nice, sweet flying plane. I think you will enjoy it.

My Astro-Hog is also powered with an OS70 four stroke - which is plenty of power. It really grooves through giant loops, split ess's, immelmans, snaps, spins, stall turns, avalanches, touch and goes, and whatever else you can think of. And it does them with in a relaxing, graceful style. It's still my favorite all around go to plane.

Here's a couple pictures:

And it flies great on floats:

Alan Harriman

It really isn't that hard to build. Just work on it a little at a time, follow the directions, and stay with it. Sooner that you realize, the plane begins to take shape and you're gaining a sense of progress. However, it looks your builder is doing a good job and is progressing quite quickly. The Astro-Hog is one nice, sweet flying plane. I think you will enjoy it.

My Astro-Hog is also powered with an OS70 four stroke - which is plenty of power. It really grooves through giant loops, split ess's, immelmans, snaps, spins, stall turns, avalanches, touch and goes, and whatever else you can think of. And it does them with in a relaxing, graceful style. It's still my favorite all around go to plane.

Here's a couple pictures:

And it flies great on floats: Alan Harriman ======================================== Your plane looks really good. What prop are you running? My initial plan is to use a Master Airscrew 13x6 for four strokes. I'll be using fuel with

10% nitro.

I did get a kit to build myself, a Great Planes PT-60. It's coming along but it will still be a while before it's done. I'm learning a lot, and might try a more complicated kit in the future; if this one flies.

Regards, Carrell

I'm using a Master Airscrew 13x6 prop and running Cool Power 15 percent fuel. (Use standard 2-stroke fuel)

That should be a good kit. Be sure to post here if you have any questions along the way.

Al