RE: Great Planes Seawind  
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RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/5/2005 3:56:25 PM   
jetlag


 

Posts: 49
Joined: 2/1/2003
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Status: offline 		I had not really wanted to put some strips behind the step, but a couple more might go a long way towards model longevity. The L wing has a crack in the sheeting that needs tending to...no doubt from the packers at the factory. This time the damage was not caused by UPS (I know because this is the third one I've recieved; the first two were damaged badly in shipping). Tower Customer service has been great, though.
Also, the end of the step in the middle (where you would put the 'bailer') was cracked badly. I've sealed the hole, siezed the cracks, and will paint over it. I don't need that bailer, anyway...Aint no water getting in there! (Let's hope!).
What's that stuff in the very front of the plane? Is that lead (Pb) clay? I sealed it in, as I'll probably need it there.
I'm going to put in the E and R servos in with clear silicone to seal 'em up and a synthetic grease blob around the output gear to keep water out...as soon as USC is through beating Ark. today!

Allen

(in reply to khh1955)
       Post #: 51

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/6/2005 4:31:14 PM   
khh1955


 

Posts: 50
Joined: 1/17/2004
From: Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Another FYI...

(in reply to jetlag)
       Post #: 52

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/6/2005 4:36:07 PM   
khh1955


 

Posts: 50
Joined: 1/17/2004
From: Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Status: offline 		FYI...
I'm planning on setting up two different "nose wheel" covers...one for flying off water (fully intact),and another that
I'll cut to fit around the nose wheel assembly. I found out yesterday,that the diecut wood reinforcer is about 1/8" too
wide,it doesn't fit into the nose wheel compartment. So,if you haven't glued it together yet,make sure that you trim the wood
to fit the compartment first!

Kurt

(in reply to khh1955)
       Post #: 53

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/7/2005 6:25:43 AM   
wcbrown@sierratel.com


 

Posts: 2
Joined: 3/5/2003
From: Ahwahnee, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I use a magnetic reed switch on my seaplane. The switch is on the inside and a small removable magnet on the outside of the hull turns the switch on/off thru the hull. A rubber band holds the magnet in place on the hull when the plane is sitting waiting.

When stored, another switch, wired in series inside the hull, is switched off to prevent any accidental oddities. Like, "hey what's this" as some dipswitch :-) pulls the plastic coated magnet off the hull, energizing the servos.
quote:

ORIGINAL: khh1955

Looking for ideas now...
I've never had a plane where the on/off switch & voltometer were inside the canopy & not accessible from the outside!
So I'm sort of wondering how I'm going to do this & still make it "not a hassel" to get inside to turn the plane on & off.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I also found that putting that tape on the outside edge of the fuse,and then putting the canopy over it doesn't really work...
you can see the tape,and it lifts the canopy up too much! I pulled the tape off,and sort of thought about putting the tape on the bottom
side of the canopy...but it still lifts it up too much...hmmmm....another issue to ponder!

I guess I could just use some white tape & tape it on...it'd be waterproof,look OK...but it wouldn't be very accessible!
Hmmm...hmmm...hmmm....the challenges of assembling an ARF!


Kurt

(in reply to khh1955)
       Post #: 54

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/7/2005 9:37:41 AM   
jetlag


 

Posts: 49
Joined: 2/1/2003
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Status: offline 		Don't forget to remember where the fuel tank is when drilling the holes for the upper cover...I drilled right through it! Oh, well...I guess I'll be on the phone with GP later...

Allen

(in reply to khh1955)
       Post #: 55

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/10/2005 12:35:16 AM   
Cherokeepilot


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 1/13/2004
From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Well money was spent last weekend at the LHS. A brand new Seawind and an OS91 FX was purchased. Now just need to get building.

I have enjoyed reading the posts so far on the plane. I just finished looking up the specs on a Saito 100 rather than a OS91 FX. The Saito 100 is approx 3.5 oz lighter and would actually sound better than the 2stroker on the Seawind. I believe its time to upgrade the engine. The -3.5 oz of weight doesnt seem like much, but that equals a lot less nose weight to balance the nose. Planning to fly just off water.

I am interested to hear from other pilots how they have powered their Seawinds? How much lead weight was added if any? what size prop used, 2 blade or 3 blade? What type of aftermarket muffler if used? I personally will cringe to put the 10inch long stock muffler on my OS91 FX. If I stayed with the 91 2stroke, wonder if a Pitts muffler would be suitable or any other type more scale than the stock muffler?

(in reply to Wine Country Flyer)
       Post #: 56

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/10/2005 2:42:12 AM   
seanychen



Posts: 2914
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Canton, MI, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Cherokeepilot
The -3.5 oz of weight doesnt seem like much, but that equals a lot less nose weight to balance the nose. Planning to fly just off water.

I am interested to hear from other pilots how they have powered their Seawinds? How much lead weight was added if any? what size prop used, 2 blade or 3 blade? What type of aftermarket muffler if used? I personally will cringe to put the 10inch long stock muffler on my OS91 FX. If I stayed with the 91 2stroke, wonder if a Pitts muffler would be suitable or any other type more scale than the stock muffler?



Actually, the engine is located about 7" behind the CG, so extra 3.5 oz there is equal to less than 1 oz at the nose, which is 28" forward of the CG (4 times the leverage).

I don't think the Pitts muffler for a 91 4-stroke will fit in the cowl. The cowl space looks pretty slender vertically.

If you want a 3-blade, get a Graupner 12.5x7 3-blade, since it looks nicer than Master Airscrew 3-blade, which comes in 13x8 size.

_____________________________

E_Total = M*G*H + 1/2 M*V^2
When H=0, all of airplane's velocity becomes crash energy!

(in reply to Cherokeepilot)
       Post #: 57

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/10/2005 3:58:17 AM   
Cherokeepilot


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 1/13/2004
From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks alot Sean

Will look into using a Graupner 3 blade prop. As for the engine, still leaning towards the lightest one out there, probably a Saito 100 for now. Airplanes fly like stones when lead begins to mount!

(in reply to seanychen)
       Post #: 58

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/10/2005 1:42:49 PM   
jetlag


 

Posts: 49
Joined: 2/1/2003
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Status: offline 		Keep it light as you can! I'm using an OS.61FX and will need about 6-8ozs of wieght in the nose to balance with no landing gear. I'm thinking a four stroke or a large 2 stroke might need a lot more.
Also, my kit had aileron hinge slots cut for two hinges apiece...I made it three apiece, same as the flaps. Strange, I would have thought it would've been the other way around.

Allen

(in reply to Cherokeepilot)
       Post #: 59

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/10/2005 7:59:33 PM   
seanychen



Posts: 2914
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Canton, MI, USA
Status: offline 		OS 61 FX with stock muffler is like 24 oz. OS 91 FX 2-stroke actually a little lighter. Saito 100 4-stroke is less than 21 oz., lighter than OS 61 FX. Modern 4-strokes are really light, and the fact their muffler don't have to be so big translates into further weight saving. Saito has about the best displacement-to-weight ratio out of any stroke.

_____________________________

E_Total = M*G*H + 1/2 M*V^2
When H=0, all of airplane's velocity becomes crash energy!

(in reply to jetlag)
       Post #: 60

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/11/2005 1:08:16 AM   
Cherokeepilot


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 1/13/2004
From: Jacksonville, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Sean

You are correct about the Saito being lighter. I decided to upgrade my OS91FX to a Saito 100 today after discovering a whopping 5.2 oz difference in weight, both mufflers were weighed too. I weighed them both with mufflers on a digital postage scale. The OS91 weighed in at 26.5 ounces and the Saito 100 weighed in at 21.3oz. I hope this will prevent me having to put 8-12 oz of weight in the nose of this Seawind. The plane is gonna fly much better without it and its not going to have a 10inch eyesore of a muffler sticking off the nacelle!

Greg

(in reply to seanychen)
       Post #: 61

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/11/2005 9:34:54 AM   
jetlag


 

Posts: 49
Joined: 2/1/2003
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Status: offline 		Greg
You're right. It took 13.5oz to balance with no LG. Total wieght is about 10.5lbs. I'm using the OS.61 since I already have one NIB. Hope to fly it tomorrow as soon as I put something bright on the wings so I can see it in a white sky. Still looking for an inverted pitts so I don't have to cut out the cowling to such a large degree. Plan to test fly without a cowling so I can fine tune the motor easily. Hope it goes well...
Allen

(in reply to Cherokeepilot)
       Post #: 62

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/11/2005 3:35:04 PM   
seanychen



Posts: 2914
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Canton, MI, USA
Status: offline 		I think if you side mount your Saito, you can complete hide the muffler by utilizing a 90 deg coupler. Have the 90 deg coupler turn the header rearward, and then connect the muffler to the header so it's like 45 deg in the front view.

I think with a 2-stroke, there is no nice way of hiding the muffler. Might as well get a pretty muffler like the Performance Specialist or Jett Stream muffler. You will need the power boost too. 61 FX stock is not a powerhouse by any mean. At over 11 lb and modest wing area., the take-off ride will be a while...

_____________________________

E_Total = M*G*H + 1/2 M*V^2
When H=0, all of airplane's velocity becomes crash energy!

(in reply to jetlag)
       Post #: 63

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/11/2005 4:31:33 PM   
Stevenhilton


 

Posts: 29
Joined: 9/21/2005
From: , ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		What prop works best? It is not specified in the manual and I have read the posts preeviously but who is flying what with what prop. Do you think a 4 stroke OS 91 will be sufficient?

(in reply to seanychen)
       Post #: 64

RE: Great Planes Seawind - 11/11/2005 7:27:50 PM   
seanychen



Posts: 2914
Joined: 7/20/2002
From: Canton, MI, USA
Status: offline 		For 91 4-stroke, the Graupner 12.5x7 3-blade will look and work best.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/grprop.htm