*Seagull Westland Lysander*
#226
My Feedback: (34)
sailr (Jim), I don't have a web site. I just sell and trade via word of mouth and connections via RCU. It keeps me plenty busy. Send me a PM with your e-mail address and we can start a dialog via e-mail. As for special order Lysanders from Seagull (Vietnam) they can take 6 months to deliver. We can discuss. Leo Spychalla, (Spychalla Aircraft LLC)
#227
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, , UNITED KINGDOM
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Ok so I guess its about time I shared my conversion with you guys after admiring the work that has been done in the forum.
I started my conversion over a year ago but with other builds needing to be done first the Lizzy got shifted to the back of the garage. I had to get some kind of progress shown though in Oct 17 as we had our anual Model Transport exhibition where she was suppose to have centre stage at our clubs stand.
So here is some commentary to go with some pics I have taken as I have undertook the conversion.. Hope you all enjoy ;-) Feel free to ask anything you like..
I needed somewhere to hide the switches so with there being a natural hatch on the side of the Lizzy it seemed like bit of a No Brainer really. So made a frame and a door and put some magnets on it to keep it shut. It opens down rather than up as the real aircraft did because its easier to get to the switches without the door being in the way.
I also wanted to add lights to the spats so set about finding parts that I could use with the spot light unit I had bought some months earlier.
I am quite happy with the result as its glassed into the inside of the spat and quite substantial.
I cut the cowl too and added some detail to it at the same time..I also got an exhaust 3d printed and glassed one side. I blended it into the cowl using Car filler. Not worried about weight as I think I will need more anyway.
I also wanted the rear section of the canopy to slide so put rails into the Fuz following the real lines of the lizzy. Unless you have done this before I would not try this as it was a real pain to try and get it to slide smoothly.
Other things I have done so far is a detailed cockpit. I used a lot of gauges from a 1/5 scale Spitfire and Hurricane set which contain the standard set of instruments and other items which were standard for the period.
I also quite early on decided to do a Special Opps Lizzie so really needed to make a munitions carrier which I did but then the headache of how to secure it to the underside.
After much head scratching here I just tried to copy the original as best I could and its worked really well.
I realise this will prob throw the CofG way out but not got to balancing it yet.
I went for the FG60 engine wise and have run it a couple of times while its been attached to the Fuz... Really love the sound!
I also made a ladder which is sprung so it just fits in the holes in the Fuz and holds itself in.
I had to paint one side of the Fuz for the exhibition and decided to go for the yellow edged randal, not scale I know but I think it looks better and I like it ;-)
So just one side to paint and the other wing half to cover and paint.
I started my conversion over a year ago but with other builds needing to be done first the Lizzy got shifted to the back of the garage. I had to get some kind of progress shown though in Oct 17 as we had our anual Model Transport exhibition where she was suppose to have centre stage at our clubs stand.
So here is some commentary to go with some pics I have taken as I have undertook the conversion.. Hope you all enjoy ;-) Feel free to ask anything you like..
I needed somewhere to hide the switches so with there being a natural hatch on the side of the Lizzy it seemed like bit of a No Brainer really. So made a frame and a door and put some magnets on it to keep it shut. It opens down rather than up as the real aircraft did because its easier to get to the switches without the door being in the way.
I also wanted to add lights to the spats so set about finding parts that I could use with the spot light unit I had bought some months earlier.
I am quite happy with the result as its glassed into the inside of the spat and quite substantial.
I cut the cowl too and added some detail to it at the same time..I also got an exhaust 3d printed and glassed one side. I blended it into the cowl using Car filler. Not worried about weight as I think I will need more anyway.
I also wanted the rear section of the canopy to slide so put rails into the Fuz following the real lines of the lizzy. Unless you have done this before I would not try this as it was a real pain to try and get it to slide smoothly.
Other things I have done so far is a detailed cockpit. I used a lot of gauges from a 1/5 scale Spitfire and Hurricane set which contain the standard set of instruments and other items which were standard for the period.
I also quite early on decided to do a Special Opps Lizzie so really needed to make a munitions carrier which I did but then the headache of how to secure it to the underside.
After much head scratching here I just tried to copy the original as best I could and its worked really well.
I realise this will prob throw the CofG way out but not got to balancing it yet.
I went for the FG60 engine wise and have run it a couple of times while its been attached to the Fuz... Really love the sound!
I also made a ladder which is sprung so it just fits in the holes in the Fuz and holds itself in.
I had to paint one side of the Fuz for the exhibition and decided to go for the yellow edged randal, not scale I know but I think it looks better and I like it ;-)
So just one side to paint and the other wing half to cover and paint.
#230
Senior Member
My Feedback: (25)
Fabulous build! I still haven't finished mine. The canopy doesn't fit well and having trouble with that. Also really concerned about the CG as comments around the web have it all over the place!
Those who have successfully flown theirs could you please provide comment about where you put the CG?
Those who have successfully flown theirs could you please provide comment about where you put the CG?
#232
My Feedback: (25)
Hi Guys,
I'm about ready to start my second Lysander. Galen B and I special ordered uncovered and unpainted Lysanders from SIG. Our planes arrived last week. We are going to do our best to build some very nice planes. First impressions right out of the box is this far better than the covered version. If your like me and can't leave well enough alone you don't have to skin the Lizzy first.
The guys on this thread and at RSB have figured out many improvements for this plane. Our experience base is growing. Currently I am building a new canopy master that will have scale canopy framing. Also I am looking into programing 3D printing of instrument panels, cockpit side panels and other items I can identify and print. One thing I'm looking for are pictures of the rear cockpit if anybody has some please post them.
Also I have some usable parts from my crashed airplane. PM me if you have anything you particularly need.
Best Regards
Paul
I'm about ready to start my second Lysander. Galen B and I special ordered uncovered and unpainted Lysanders from SIG. Our planes arrived last week. We are going to do our best to build some very nice planes. First impressions right out of the box is this far better than the covered version. If your like me and can't leave well enough alone you don't have to skin the Lizzy first.
The guys on this thread and at RSB have figured out many improvements for this plane. Our experience base is growing. Currently I am building a new canopy master that will have scale canopy framing. Also I am looking into programing 3D printing of instrument panels, cockpit side panels and other items I can identify and print. One thing I'm looking for are pictures of the rear cockpit if anybody has some please post them.
Also I have some usable parts from my crashed airplane. PM me if you have anything you particularly need.
Best Regards
Paul
#233
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, , UNITED KINGDOM
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Paul,
i would be very intetested in what evet you can produce for tbe Lizzy. In particular a better canopy. I tried to do the framing myself but gave up so used 3 canopies in the end to get the overlap i needed.
i would be very intetested in what evet you can produce for tbe Lizzy. In particular a better canopy. I tried to do the framing myself but gave up so used 3 canopies in the end to get the overlap i needed.
#235
My Feedback: (25)
Warbird Guy,
We ordered a spare canopy, built a wooden frame around it to maintain it's shape. We then filled the canopy with Hydrocal (plaster). Now that it is dry I have to sand off all the canopy frames apply correct size frames. What worries me most is before I apply the new framing the plaster needs to be coated and smooth as a babies butt or it will show in the clear panels. I've been down this road a few time before. Things can go really badly if you are not extremely careful. The back up plan should the first attempt fail is to try a partial. Do the front cockpit only. I'll get there but it will be some time before it's ready. I have a small air force demanding maintenance and a P-47 and a F4U under construction, but then again I do love the Lizzy.
We ordered a spare canopy, built a wooden frame around it to maintain it's shape. We then filled the canopy with Hydrocal (plaster). Now that it is dry I have to sand off all the canopy frames apply correct size frames. What worries me most is before I apply the new framing the plaster needs to be coated and smooth as a babies butt or it will show in the clear panels. I've been down this road a few time before. Things can go really badly if you are not extremely careful. The back up plan should the first attempt fail is to try a partial. Do the front cockpit only. I'll get there but it will be some time before it's ready. I have a small air force demanding maintenance and a P-47 and a F4U under construction, but then again I do love the Lizzy.
#240
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cape Coral FL
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I set my cg according to the Seagull Manual and it flew fine. The plane is more difficult to balance than other planes, so perhaps that is where people have been getting into trouble.
I attached the balance jigs to the spar and made the plane tail heavy, it is balanced just as the nose starts to come down level. If you balance it even slightly nose down, you will be way too nose heavy.
I attached the balance jigs to the spar and made the plane tail heavy, it is balanced just as the nose starts to come down level. If you balance it even slightly nose down, you will be way too nose heavy.
#244
My Feedback: (65)
Fabulous build! I still haven't finished mine. The canopy doesn't fit well and having trouble with that. Also really concerned about the CG as comments around the web have it all over the place!
Those who have successfully flown theirs could you please provide comment about where you put the CG?
Those who have successfully flown theirs could you please provide comment about where you put the CG?
I have built and flown (2) and the CG was half way between the leading edge at the root and the centerline of the wing-tube. My maiden flight is in the enclosed YouTube video.
I had shortened the cowl by 2-1/2 inches to a scale length and I found that I was still a bit nose heavy in the maiden flight.
After some stall trials at altitude I felt very comfortable flying Lizzie down low and slow. The Lysander behaves well with power, lose power and be careful not to stall her too low. She falls off on the left wing and recovery can take altitude.
My initial landing was done without flaps and you can see how short it was.
My second take-off was with take-off flaps. It was airborne in less than 10 ft!
All flights after that were just plain fun! Low passes and touch and goes really highlight the looks of the Lysander and the sound from the Saito FG60R3 4-stroke radial.
Here are some photos of my 2nd Lysander:
Scott
Last edited by Fly2XS; 01-14-2018 at 09:10 PM.
#246
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, , UNITED KINGDOM
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Quick Question guys and a silly one considering where I am with my build but.... The wing struts did your have holes already drilled in them that correspond with the holes in the wing ? Mine do not and where as I have drilled mine Im not convinced they are in the correct place as the holes are a pain to line up.
#247
My Feedback: (18)
Quick Question guys and a silly one considering where I am with my build but.... The wing struts did your have holes already drilled in them that correspond with the holes in the wing ? Mine do not and where as I have drilled mine Im not convinced they are in the correct place as the holes are a pain to line up.
I took 4 3mm cap screws, lopped of the heads, chucked them up in my drill press and filed the cut end into a point. I used these in the wing holes to make dimples where I thought the struts should match. Mine are not perfect, but they are only off by a bit so mounting for flight is not a bad at all. The bottom of the struts on the spats -- that is much more painful... The limited access under the bracket (along the spats), and the fact that the bracket angle is a little off from where the struts want to be when attached to the wing, make getting that screw started really painful. This attachment is my only complaint when assembling this model...
#248
Senior Member
My Feedback: (25)
Quick Question guys and a silly one considering where I am with my build but.... The wing struts did your have holes already drilled in them that correspond with the holes in the wing ? Mine do not and where as I have drilled mine Im not convinced they are in the correct place as the holes are a pain to line up.
For the bottom of the strut, I solved that by using a machine bolt (hex head) rather than an allen head. That way I can put a small open end wrench on them to tighten. I also rounded the bottom of the struts so they can rotate down and be left attached to the fuselage. Makes life much easier!!
#249
Senior Member
My Feedback: (25)
Another complaint I have is that the canopy doesn't fit for *****! No matter what I do, it wants to buckle along the sides when I push the front of back down into place. Grrrrrr. I wish I had known in advance about the one from Hobbico. Bigger spread and $100 cheaper!
#250
Senior Member
My Feedback: (25)
Another complaint I have is that the canopy doesn't fit for *****! No matter what I do, it wants to buckle along the sides when I push the front or back down into place. Grrrrrr. I wish I had known in advance about the one from Hobbico. Bigger spread and $100 cheaper!