Sparks

Yes Chris 36" span - model of a model.   I'm thinking of doing a 48" span for the mass build. Just watching how Martin's full-size Hog progresses so that I can pinch his build tips   Richard

Nice build Martin, looking forward to seeing pictures of the completed machine.   I've just finished rebuilding my crashed 1/2 scale Hog over Christmas - new main wing and fus. Only the tailplane, fin and pilot (Daredevil Dudley) survived! Happy Hogmanay to you and all Hog builders! Sparks  

Must admit I never thought about it. At our club, wind direction dictated whether you did a LH or RH circuit after take off so I got used to doing LH or RH circuits at an early stage. I guess it depends on what you get used to when you are learning.    

Erflog,   If you are using Cyano, drill a 1.5mm hole down the centre of the hinge slots. It helps the Cyano penetrate the full depth of the hinge.    

Yes Chris,   A couple of coats of dope on the balsa followed by sanding. Wet the silk under the tap, wring it out, lay it on the structure and apply full strength dope around the edges to attach the silk. Then a couple of coats of 50/50 dope/thinners all over to shrink. Then a few coats of PolyC to seal and finish off. Amazing how well the silk goes round the corners, as good as Solarfilm but with the added bonus of the dope fumes!   Cheers, Richard    

Hi Danny,   Popsie is covered with Silk (from local dress shop!) and doped. The dark bits are Rustoleum Satin Green paint spray can from Charlies. I used Frog masking tape (B&Q) when spraying - nice sharp lines without bleeding.   She flies very well if left to her own devices but doesn't much like being told where to go (bit like me I guess). The plan is to fit single-channel control eventually (it's proportional rudder/elevator at the moment) but haven't been brave enough to do it until I have had more practice on the simulator. Hope it survives 'till the Greenacres do.   Edited By Sparks on 23/11/2011 21:22:11

Popsie is done and maidened,   Now for the Astro Hog(s) 1/2 size first (to replace the one I crashed) then maybe a bit bigger if I get the urge and have enough balsa left.   Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 23/11/2011 20:29:59

Martyn,   The original AMP Fred Dunn article (April 1958) and subsequent re-drawn plans by Berkely Models and William R. Miller (2004) all specify 3/16" Fin and Rudder.   Sparks (Hogaholic)

Hi Martyn,   The consensus of opinion from various groups is that a total dihedral angle of 6 deg is a good compromise these days.   Hope you will use the barn door ailerons and taildragger u/c, not the Sig narrow ailerons and trike u/c - it wouldn't look like a 'Hog otherwise. We'll let you off using the valve receiver as shown on the original Fred Dunn plan.   Cheers, Daredevil Dudley - Hog pilot  

Just read my previous post more carefully and noticed that the voltage is 3.6V, not the 3.7V expected for a 'LiPo'. So it is probably a Lithium-Ion despite the description on the cell.Edited By Sparks on 03/11/2011 13:54:02

The cell in my Sony Ericsson 'phone is a LiPo - the marking on it says Li-Polymer 3.6V 780mAh - it hasn't burst into flames yet!  

Vic Smeed Popsie - covered in Silk 'n Dope   To be followed by Mini Astro Hog to replace the one I crashed.

Here is some backgound and data sources for those contemplating an Astro Hog   The Astro Hog was designed by Fred Dunn and was first published in Model AirPlane News, April 1958.   A copy of this article can be downloaded from here:-   Fred Dunn's original Astro Hog Article   (post #14 - astrohog1.pdf, astrohog2.pdf and Astro Hog Flying Instructions by Fred Dunn.pdf)   The plans, also pdf, can be downloaded from here:   Astro Hog Plans   (post #2 - Astro Hog Fuselage.pdf and Astro Hog Wing.pdf)   The original Astro Hog wingspan is 72" but you can scale down the plans to whatever scale you want. Your local print shop (Staples?) should be able to oblige. Failing, that you can tile print it across several A3/4 sheets and stick together.   Worth downloading the plans just to marvel at the detail - note the valve receiver, ball bearing aileron bearings and elevator operated tail-wheel brake!   Smaller sized 'Hog' plans are available from myHobbystore:-   Plan RM283 - Astro Hog 40 by Dave Boddington - 82% scale - 59" wingspan (published in the Radio Modeller - January 1985 - I have the mag!)   Astro Hog 40 - Plan RM283     Plan MAG125 - Mini Hog by Harry W Gilkes - 42" Wingspan Mini Hog - Plan MAG125   Sig Mfg produce a full size Astro Hog kit, which is still available from the usual suppliers (SMC etc) Sig Astro Hog (there are instruction manual links at the bottom of the page)   The Sig kit differs from the original design in that they have moved the tailplane from the bottom of the fus to the top, which is OK (ish). However, the trike u/c option instead of the taildragger is heresy.   There is also a half size kit, 36" span, available from BMJR Models (US supplier):- BMJR Model Half Hog       Hope the above whets your appetite for a Hog fest!   Sparks  Edited By Sparks on 23/10/2011 13:25:56

1. Astro Hog 2. Mini Tyro 3. Super 60

Astro Hog   (any size!)  

The original Berkely Astro Hog plans in PDF format can be downloded from Here (second post down)   The full size Hog is about 72" wingspan (a lot of balsa) but, if you have Windows 7, you can print the plans out to whatever scale you want across several A4 sheets using the tileprint option in the print menu.   Build a Hog, you know it makes sense!      

There is also a Mini Hog - 40" wingspan (MyHobby plan MAG125).   My much loved half-size Astro Hog (36" span) crashed the other day so I shall be building another. The pilot, one 'Daredevil Dudley' was entirely to blame - see picture of the varmint below.      

PB...Yes, 'modern' piano wire does seem to be more ductile than the 'proper' piano wire of old. The new stuff has a ground finish compared to the original cold-drawn natural finished wire.   If you put the wire in a bench-vice and hit it with a hammer and the hammer doesn't spring back and hit you in the face, then it's the new stuff.   l managed to pick up some 'proper' piano wire from Balsa Cabin at the Nationals - worth giving them a try. Sparks - bruised face dept.

Hi Alan, As pointed out above, noise could be a real problem. The so-called silencers supplied with the small petrol engines that have recently appeared at our club produce sound levels way above BMFA's recommended 82dBA limit. Effectively silencing them is likely to be an expensive excercise. Sparks