Written by Greg Gimlick
The legendary aircraft makes a fantastic ARF.
Read the complete review in the July 2014 issue of Model Aviation.
Specifications
Model type: Trainer ARF
Skill level: Beginner builder; beginner pilot
Wingspan: 78 inches
Wing area: 1,148 square inches
Airfoil: Flat bottom
Length: 65 inches
Flying weight: 8-8.5 pounds
Recommended power system: Glow power: .40-.53 cu. in. two-stroke or .50-.61 cu. in. four-stroke; electric power: 600-1,100 watt; 500-800 Kv; 42-50mm case diameter motor; 60-75 amp ESC with BEC; 4-6S 4000-5000 mAh LiPo battery pack
Radio: Four-channel with four standard servos (five if glow-fuel powered)
Construction: Built-up wood
Covering: UltraCote
Street price: $279.99 (airframe only)
Test-Model Details
Radio system: Spektrum DX9 transmitter; Spektrum AR6210 six-channel DSMX receiver; four ProTek 100SS metal gear servos
Flying weight: 8 pounds, 2 ounces
Motor: Himax 5018-530 brushless outrunner
ESC: Castle Creations Phoenix Edge Lite 75
Battery: 5S 5,000 mAh LiPo
Propeller: APC-E 12 x 8
Flight duration: 10-15 minutes
Pluses
• Quality construction.
• Great motor mount design.
• Nice wheel pants design.
• Quality covering.
• Predrilled control horn surfaces.
• Two-piece wing.
• It’s a Kadet Senior!
Minuses
• It’s difficult to find replacements for the 6.5mm wing bolts.
Excepts from the Review
I have high expectations for a product from Sig Manufacturing Company because of its long history of quality products. It was no different this time when my giant Sig box arrived with the new Kadet Senior Sport ARF. I shook the contents out of the coffin-size box and immediately began inspecting everything. The quality of the covering was excellent and the construction looked impeccable.
The Kadet Senior is one of those airplanes that everyone seems to recognize. It is a quintessential trainer with history going back more than 30 years and more than that with the smaller versions. I last built a Senior more than 20 years ago and it was popular for kitbashing among my club members. I flattened the wings to 2 inches dihedral, added ailerons, adapted it for a bolt-on wing, braced the tail, made it a tail-dragger, and powered it with a Saito 80 and later an Astro 40G on 21 Ni-Cd cells.
When I saw that the company had come out with a version incorporating all of the things I had done to that one, I had to have it! As an instructor pilot, I always believe that everyone should have a trainer. It’s good for practice and for regaining confidence after a crash.
I fly electric power almost exclusively now, and chose to power the Kadet Senior Sport with the recommended power system from Sig. The company offers several options—complete with manufacturer recommendations—and states its favorite of the bunch. How could I go wrong with that?
Loops, rolls, inverted flight, stall turns, and Split S maneuvers, are all within the normal flight capabilities with the given power setup and settings. It performs inverted flight well. Just for fun, I set up flaperons and they slow the airplane to a crawl. They aren’t necessary, but this airplane is so much fun to fly and experiment with that I couldn’t resist.
Read the full review in the July 2014 issue of Model Aviation.
Kit contents as they shake out of the box. The quality of the covering was excellent and the construction looked to be impeccable.
Servos set in wing and attached to control horn. Control rods are threaded with quality metal clevises.
The vertical fin is glued after horizontal stab is dry. Tape holds it perfectly aligned while the epoxy dries.
The Himax motor bolted in place and mount bolted to firewall with pre-installed blind nuts. THe recommended motor is a perfect match for the airplane.
A cavernous fuselage allows plenty of room for installation of a receiver and servos. A Castle arm Lock socket and key is installed for added safety.
Conclusion
“Throw all my other airplanes away. This is the only thing I need,” is the answer I gave my wife when she called to see how the test flight went. This reminded me so much of my old kitbashed Kadet Senior from years ago that I immediately felt at home. As soon as he finished flying mine, my flying buddy ordered one for himself.
How else can I say that this is a real winner? The traditional Kadet Senior is a great-flying airplane and this one is even better. If you’re an experienced pilot, it will provide tons of relaxation or excitement, depending on your setup. If you’re a beginner, it will carry you from learning through aerobatics.
Congratulations Sig! I’m retiring my 16-year-old LT-25 as my primary trainer and crowning a new winner.
Read the full review in the July 2014 issue of Model Aviation.
—Greg Gimlick
maelectrics@gimlick.com
Flight Video
Manufacturer/Distributor
Sig Manufacturing Co.
(641) 623-5154
www.sigmfg.com
Sources
Spektrum
(800) 338-4639
www.spektrumrc.com
Maxx Products International
(847) 438-2233
www.maxxprod.com
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
A Main Hobbies
(800) 705-2215
www.amain.com