I just received and have started to put together the Spacewalker II ARF by Seagull. First, let me say that this is one very sweet ARF. The quality of the model is immediately obvious from the well-executed, solid build to the (nearly) flawless covering. It really puts my RCM Trainer ARF to shame!!! And it's just such a fun looking airplane!

But, for every silver lining there is always a dark cloud. In this case, the manual contains a number of minor and not so minor errors that unnecessarily complicated what is an otherwise quite simple assembly. Several of the inaccuracies seem to have been caused by changes in the kit that are not reflected in the text. For example, we are told to make the Z-bend in the throttle push rod when this has already been done for us. I'm not complaining on that count. However, the description of how to mount the engine contains a number of problems. First the type of mounting bolts and nuts seems to have changed (for the better it seems) but more disturbing is that the directions say the make sure the engine's thrust washer is 5 5/8" from the firewall. Well, that's just plain impossible with any engine that would fit into the bracket. I thought the 5 followed by another 5 was a bit suspicious (classic typo) so I tried 4 5/8" and that's a least close so that's my guess as to what it's supposed to be. For what it's worth the photos seem to be more accurate than the text.

Also the fuel tank that came with the ARF is of a different type than the one illustrated and in fact actually seems to be the WRONG type (it's the kind with the little forward facing lip/foot) and that makes it impossible to seat the tank cap in the hole in the firewall. It should be easy enough to work around but it's a problem nonetheless.

Another "difference" is with the wheel pants. In the manual, and on the box which seems to reflect a prototype, the pants have an indent molded into the fiberglass where the landing gear bracket fits. Not on the my kit. The two (very nicely molded) fiberglass pants are both identical and this makes them somewhat difficult to keep from pivoting. I think I'm going to end up having to exopy there in place or leave them off. The pictures of the instillation give only the vaguest clues as to how to attach the wheel and pants with the hardware provided. You definitely have to put on your thinking cap.

Well that's all I've found so far because all the further I've gotten. Anyone else find any other construction problems with this otherwise superbly built and finished ARF?