What ever happened?

[Peter Nevai]

To the Sig Magnum.

This came up in the Score thread and I figured it deserved a thread of it's own.

Now if there was ever a model that deserved ressurection this is one. Of wonder why of all the kits Sig discontinued this was included. I know that for some reason foam wings fell out of favor, a phenomenon that persists to this day. A shame as it was a smart looking good performing airplane that went together quite quickly. Not a novice kit with the built up flaps and tail but certainly not the complexity of a built up wing.

I think a proper ressurection with good wood it could make a strong come back, considering how ARF's seem to be so popular today. Or does anyone think it takes less time to build up a straight and true open frame wing as it does to assemble a Foam core? Hmmmm why are there not more foam based kits of any kind around for that matter?

[Bill Little]

IIRC, it was the cost effectiveness (or lack thereof) in acquiring the foam cores. As I remember the story, Sig had to have them contracted out. If that was indeed the case then die cutting, or now laser cutting, is more cost effective. 

Mikey Pratt the designer, and Sig employee at the time I believe, is a member here and could tell us more.

[Bill Little]

My son "plans built" a Magnum several years ago.  This was just before he turned to "the pipe".  It was basically a stock Magnum (wings cored a *little* more) with canopy, fin/rudder, and a couple other slight changes.  This plane flew great with several engines.  Royal 45 first, ST 51, and even an OS 40VF-piped.  It presently sits stripped of it's Econocoat finish, and is waiting refinishing.  An ST 51 will go back in it.  I believe it is a very good design!

[steve pagano]

I was given a incomplete Sig magnum wings were done and in silver along with a foam tail also in silver. The fuselage is about 50 percent done. Does anyone know were i can get a set of plans for it? I would like to Finnish it within the next year. I called Sig but they don't carry them any more

[Leester]

Steve: No promises but if work turns out as usual I might have time Wednesday to run to Kinkos and have a copy made. I'll have to dig out the kit, unless you get a better offer I'll let you know Wednesday.

[steve pagano]

Steve: No promises but if work turns out as usual I might have time Wednesday to run to Kinkos and have a copy made. I'll have to dig out the kit, unless you get a better offer I'll let you know Wednesday.

ok,thanks 

[Gary Anderson]

Steve: No promises but if work turns out as usual I might have time Wednesday to run to Kinkos and have a copy made. I'll have to dig out the kit, unless you get a better offer I'll let you know Wednesday.

Hi, if you have the instruction booklet, I believe it would help most in the building process. Have a great day, Gary

[peabody]

I believe that several of the foam cutters have Magnum capability....and Tom Dixon has a nifty set of plans that show some worthwhile modifications....especially if you intend on flying off of grass...

[Howard Rush]

Didn't a foam wing win the Walker Cup last year?  Hey, you don't sand through the covering at the edge of the ribs. 

[peabody]

Howard....yup....and they build fairly straight, too....

Windy believes that a foamy can be built about as light as a built-up.....especially if a "Pro Stunt" finish is planned, because the finish gets the grain/silkspan filled quicker: less paint.

[Bill Little]

Didn't a foam wing win the Walker Cup last year?  Hey, you don't sand through the covering at the edge of the ribs. 

Heck, Howard!  A foamie won the Walker Trophy in 1969! (first one to do so, actually......)