apalsson

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I wonder how the G26 would go in this plane

mimoore67

My Feedback: (51)

There no reason your couldn't put a G-26 in this plane, however the G-26 many require you to cut up a lot of the cowling due to it's size compared to a glow engine. Here's a link to the [link=http://www.seagullmodels.com/Admin/cgi-bin/SanphamImage/SACH%2083.pdf]Instruction Manual[/link], see if there's any pictures in there showing some firewall dimensions or cowling measurements.

apalsson

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Today, I ordered one of those plains (Decathlon 120) to use with my G26 engine.
I realise the G26 is possibly a bit in the uper end of the power range and I may need some tail weight to offset it because the fuselage is short but I'm reasonably sure it will be a good combination.
I also have a Sullivan smoke pump I intend to fit.

Best of all, the price for those planes is quite attractive here in Australia or a fair bit under AUD$400.00 (USD $250 roughly)

I will post details and photos when I receive the plane

apalsson

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The courier brought my new Decathlon yesterday.
I have only quickly been through the box to see if everything arrived in a good condition and all seems A OK.

The plane seems well built, very lightweight but well constructed. Only thing I would have liked differently is if they had covered the underside of the wing in white, but that's just a matter of taste.
I'll post some photos of the contents when I get a chance

tassiemark

Gday mate! ,I am considering getting the same Decathlon myself,can't wait to finally see some real pics of this bird! Should be a great flier.

apalsson

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Mark, I probably won't build the plane for a few weeks because I'm moving early next month. I will try to post some photos of the kit and some observations

playntraffic

Disappointment []
Really was looking forward to seeing the build and hearing how she flew.

MormonMike

My Feedback: (2)

Yup, I, too would really like to see a report on this one. I bought a ThunderTiger 40 size some years ago and had nothing but problems with it being very difficult to take-off and land because of that short coupled fuse. It flew great other than that. This one may cause me to re-consider and go for the 120 size if the flying reports show positive qualitys. MM

mimoore67

My Feedback: (51)

As the starter of this thread! CAN WE SEE SOME PICTURES!

apalsson

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I think Decathlons have gained an unfair reputation for being difficult to take off because the tail isn't allowed to come up quickly enough on takeoff but the elevator stick is held back to prevent possible nose-over.
The wing is quite large as compared with the stabiliser so it is basically flying before the tail is allowed to come up. I think the trick is to advance the throttle quite gently and allow the tail to rise as soon as she starts rolling.

I have another plane that is quite short coupled, or the Corby Starlet and the trick was always to allow the tail to come up straight away and then keep her straight with the rudder.
Pitts Special also has the same issue. Strangely enough, when you practice on something like RealFlight, this is a phenomen they have not done a good job of simulating. You can ram the throttle forward very quickly without any tendency to nose over.

This Decathlon probably won't be all that different, hard to say through.

apalsson

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Yessah'!!

tassiemark

HAHA! doesn't look like I need to add my plea for pics,think the message has gotten across clearly!

MormonMike

My Feedback: (2)

Apalsson, Yes, that sounds correct. But I should have also said that as it's going down the runway at near full speed it would all of a sudden vear-off sharpley to the left [ about 45 degrees ]. That is no good and also resulted in it's crash. It began to tip-stall on the left wing, could'nt get it to recover and watched it do a beautiful cart-wheel crash. And yes, I was very pied. [:@] The wing on the ThunderTiger Decathlon is fully symetrical as it should be and that's what makes for fast landings and tak-off's. Seagull Models are a very good quality made ARFs so this is why I''ll watch this thread very close. I'd like a Decath back cause it was fun once it was in the air. SOMEBODY please get going on a build thread. MM Oh, forgot to mention, I do fly the Corby, 60 size and that 38% one too

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Mike, I was aware of that - it were your comments on the smaller Corby that got me to buy mine which now has in excess of 150 flights on it. Fantastic little plane ![sm=thumbup.gif]

apalsson

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Here are some photos as promised. The covering job is amongst the best I have seen on an ARF. They use Oracover (Profilm??) which has been applied flawlessly.
All windows have been installed and even the control rods are assembled and installed. The right door comes out as a whole and is locked in place with two plastic screws.
Firewall and the gear mounting skot have been fuel froofed with some gray paint which looks well applied.

As a downside, the interior is unpainted and as the windshield and all side windows have been gloed in place, detailing the inside of the cabin will be quite a task

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Does anyone know of a good simulator file for a Decathlon that goes with Realflight?

tassiemark

Thanks for the pics! It does look pretty nice,judging from the size of those windows the cockpit would look bare without some detailing,are you going to give it a try? Also are the tail surfaces airfoiled or flat?

mimoore67

My Feedback: (51)

I would hope the tail feathers are flat, as full-size Citabria/Decathlon/Super Decathlon are just steel tubing that is covered. I also noticed that the airfoil shaped seems to be symmetrical, jugging from the picture of the fuselage/wing attachment point.

THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURES! - AUSSIES ROCK!

NorfolkSouthern

If you have RealFlight G3.5, there are several files in the Knife Edge Forums, on the swap pages. These are all public domain. The photos are impressive. Now, they just need to make them available here in the States!

NorfolkSouthern

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

I was going to try to detail the cockpit, yes.
I have photos and templates of a Decathlon instrument panel that I was planning to make, plus I'll most likely make up a seat and other interior.
It will be a pain to paint the exposed wood, especially around the wing root but we will give it a try

I also have a Sullivan smoke pump that will go into the plane

dale691

This plane is being advertised here in OZ as a 2.0m plane for a 200fs?

What do you think?

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

I don't think it's being advertised for 200fs.
It's designed for a 120fs which I personally think will do the job well

dale691

I was just going off an ad I saw from Col Taylor on his specials in RCM #93. That's why I was questioning it! sounded wrong but wish it were right, can't find one big enough out here.

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Dale, if you are a builder, there are two excellent plans from Wendell Hostetler, a 30% and 33% size

Prop_Wash

Has anyone heard or seen anything from Horizon about importing these to the USA?