Sig Firebird 1/2A

[Robert McHam]

Did anyone else have this plane? Or was I  the only one to have one?

Robert

[Jay]

What's a Firebird?

Jay

[Robert McHam]

in 1973 ( think it was) Sig came out with two 1/2 A C/L planes. One was the Firebird and the other was the Little Snipper.
They both had a solid core foam wing and were initially $3.95 and 2.95 respectively.

Robert

[Robert McHam]

I have no idea why they listed the Little Snipper in with the beginner models! THey were quite a bargain for the time!

Robert

[afml]

YES! I had/have one of those in 1969. Might even still have most of the body & wing to my FIREBIRD. The wood was untra soft, but boy did it fly!
These were by Jim Walker, and were available through Sig and local hobbyshops. FIREBABY was the first plane I ever looped on purpose SEVERAL times without crashing. The foam wing planes were FIREBIRD and a twin boom combat version, FIREBRAND. Tons of fun!!

Wes   

[Robert McHam]

It has been a long time. I believe you are right about those being Jim Walker Models. Was the Little Snipper also Jim Walker? I had one of those as well.   

Robert

[Roger Vizioli]

Had one, still do - up in the rafters.
Built in 1977, was heavy for the Cox engine, hung it up. Combat Kitten (still have it ) was lighter and faster.
Either would be fun with a Norvel.

[minnesotamodeler]

Like most all vintage combat planes, they're 'way too small for today's engines of choice.  My Rumbler is 30" wingspan and breaks 70 mph with a hi-performance .049 or Norvel BigMig .061.  These engines would tear the wings off those 60s-era combat planes. 

[Richard Grogan]

YES! I had/have one of those in 1969. Might even still have most of the body & wing to my FIREBIRD. The wood was untra soft, but boy did it fly!
These were by Jim Walker, and were available through Sig and local hobbyshops. FIREBABY was the first plane I ever looped on purpose SEVERAL times without crashing. The foam wing planes were FIREBIRD and a twin boom combat version, FIREBRAND. Tons of fun!!

Wes   

I had the Firebrand I won at a contest in 72' I think. My brother owned the LHS and donated kits for prizes, and the firebird was the other kit I didnt win.The Firebrand was wicked fun, had a TD 049 with red tankmount ! The balsa was soft on these! Oh, I dont remember it being a Sig kit......

[Roger Vizioli]

Ray,
You are correct, newer engines would probably tear the wings off. I'll leave it up in the rafters.
Roger