spacewalker SIGRC61, Building And Flying Instructions

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Painting the ABS Plastic Parts
The plastic parts should be sanded to remove the gloss before they are painted. Use only 220-grit or finer sandpaper. We
recommend that the plastic parts be painted with Sig Supercoat Dope or Sig Skybrite paint for best results. Sig
Plastinamel, Hobbypoxy, K&B Superpoxy, and Dulux (automotive) enamel have also been proven compatible with ABS
plastic and can be used if desired. Skybrite primer or K&B primer may also be used for a smooth undercoat. Do not use
other paints, dopes, or finishes without first testing to make certain it is compatible with the plastic.
CAUTION: Do not try to cover the ABS plastic parts with Monokote or other iron-on types of covering material. The heat
may melt and distort the plastic.
Decal Application
All the decals necessary to duplicate N107JA, N516MH, and N516HS are supplied in the kit. Notice that the curved
Spacewalker logos have been pre-aligned with the little spacemen so that they can be applied in one piece. Study the
plans and the pictures in this book for proper placement.
Model fuels are hard on decals. Even if you are using no nitromethane in your fuel, the oil can still get under the decals
and loosen them. Try to direct your exhaust out to an area without decals. Coating the decals with auto paste wax will help
protect them, but the wax must be replaced at regular intervals. If needed, replacement decals are available from Sig
(order SIGDKM261).
Cut out the decals with a pair of sharp scissors. Leave about 1/32" to 1/16" of clear edge around the decal. Round
the corners as you are cutting.
Wet the surface on which the decal will be placed with soapy water (use dishwashing detergent).
Place the decal on the model and squeegee the water from underneath with a balsa paddle and allow to dry.
This procedure will prevent air from being trapped underneath as is possible when the decals are applied dry.
Interior Detailing
Some modelers enjoy spending many hours providing their models with intricate detailing, while others spend no time at
all. The cockpit area of your Spacewalker can be given as much scale detailing as you wish, however no materials (except
for the plywood instrument panel) are provided in the kit. The following recommendations will add immensely to the overall
impact and realism of the model without taking too much time.
Paint the Interior
The wood inside the cockpit must be protected with several coats of clear dope. Once it is sealed, some flat black or gray
painted on the exposed areas will help give a less obtrusive appearance.
Instrument Panel
Both Jesse Anglin and Maxey Hester used a plywood panel in their airplanes, so the die-cut 1/16" plywood instrument
panel provided in the kit will appear very realistic when finished with several clear coats of dope or varnish. Several
manufacturer's make 1/3-scale aircraft instruments that can be fitted to the panel to give your model an added touch of
realism. After painting and adding details to the panel, it can be glued permanently in place against former F-3.
Pilot
A few manufacturer's also produce 1/3-scale pilots that are easily painted and mounted to the plywood top. Notice that the
pilot should be placed well towards the back of the cockpit opening.
Pre-Flight Checkout
Be certain to range check your radio equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions before attempting test flights.
A lot of problems can also be avoided if your engine has been well broken-in and the idle adjustment perfected on a test
stand or in another airplane before installation in the new model.
Adjust your pushrod linkages to produce the amounts of movement listed below. Measurements are to be made at the
trailing edge of the control surface.
RECOMMENDED CONTROL SURFACE MOVEMENTS
For test flights, the following are suggested:
ELEVATOR 1-1/8" UP and 1-1/8" DOWN
RUDDER 2" LEFT and 2" RIGHT
AILERON 1-1/16" UP and 15/16" DOWN