psuguru

I got one of the new Seagull pearl-blue Edge 540's for Christmas (SEA26-A).
The recommended control throws for initial flying are 3/16" on the ailerons. This can't be right. The 68" version (SEA 54) uses 5/8" as an initial deflection, more than 3 x the linear deflection on a smaller model. I thought that was about right.
I've contacted Seagull, and they've read my message, but haven't replied.
I'm not keen to launch 700 quid's worth of model into the air until I know the controls are set-up!!

I intend to scale up the deflections of the 68" version by a ratio of 78/68 and go with that.
Any comments anyone?

krayzc-RCU

My Feedback: (31)

maybe they had to many flyer wreak on the maiden who did not have the skills you have so now they safe side it all.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

The old Seagull Edge 540 [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Support.aspx?ProdID=SEA4000](This one)[/link] has 1/2" for a low rate on the ailerons

psuguru

You flatterer, you.

This is a BIG model.
The trailing edge is 3/16 thick.
So they're recommending that you move it up and down by the thickness of the trailing edge!
Scaling up the SEA54 gives 3/4" deflection. Looks sensible on the model too.

psuguru

And the V2 version has 5/8" up with 1/2" down on the low rate.
Do you think maybe they're making these up as they go along?

beachbrada

My Feedback: (17)

Where did you get the Edge from I cant seem to find in anywhere?

psuguru

Well,
The model was bought in the UK from Sussex Model Centre (well, all of them in fact)
The data is on [link=http://www.seagullmodels.com]Seagull Models[/link] web site.
They're in semi-scale and the model numbers are SEA54 (68 in) and SEA26A (78 in)
The control throws are in the instruction manual on the next to last page (or so).
Regards,
Carole

Falcon32

I’ve just checked out the S.M.C. website, this is a real looker.[8D]
Any thoughts about putting a 40 / 45cc gas engine in it, do you think it would take it.
I’ve just about had enough of the mess and cost of glow.[&o]

Don

psuguru

One of my club member chums has the SEA26B (same model in red).
Having more money than sense, he put a DA-50 gas engine in the thing.
Let's just say it was very sprightly. Knife edge loops and the like. We don't much go in for 3D at our club, so I couldn't say for sure if it would prop-hang, but I'm willing to bet it would easily do so, judging from the 3 inch take-off run.
I'm getting too old and crumbly for such excitement, so I've "only" got an OS120AX in there with a VP20 pump and a long bit of silicone tube to keep the goo off the airframe!

EZchopper

psuguru:

I've had a read of your review of this model and you say you have specced it out with 3152 servos
I use these servos in a Seagull Extra260 (90 size) and they are just on the ok side
I've used these servos on other models inc heli's
Although they are quite good and accurate, they will burn out the motor on a plane this size

psuguru

Oh No!
More expense.[&o]

Do you have any recommendations?

I prefer Scale-Like aerobatics rather than mad model manoeuvring[sm=shades_smile.gif], being a lapsed PPL myself, so I don't think I give the servos as hard a time as some would.

I had a bunch of Tower MG995 servo's (metal gear). The mechanics are beautiful, but the electronics are a bit iffy. Slowly, over the space of a year, they've all gone Pete Tong doing things like "Nothing at all" to "swinging wildly from side to side".
They're all in the bin now as I couldn't be bothered fo fiddle with them to see what was wrong. The IC and FET's all had their markers scrubbed off. Clearly RC servo copying is a real problem!!

EZchopper

If you're only into light aerobatics, you might get away with it, but I would recommend a stronger rudder servo at the very least.
I do fly my Seagull Extra260 (90 size) quite hard with these servos, but have just changed the rudder for a 9252 and does make a difference.
You say a club mate has the same model, what servos is he using?

Even Seagull recommend servos of 6.5kg/cm

I'm using Hitec HS5645MG's in a Seagull Extra260 (160 size), which is 71" span and AUW is 5kg (11lb)
These can be available for £30'ish
They're digital, programmable and metal gears
BUT they do tend to require a lot of juice, (your standard 'AA' cell packs are not really up to it)
If you go for Futaba or JR then it's the £80+ range of servos

psuguru

Thanks for all that,
I'll pay more attention to servo specs in future.

The battery pack is NiMH 2400mAH 6V. I've got a Voltwatch on it so will be able to track battery vs flight time, if it ever stops blowing and raining.

Mr. Mugen

I wonder how he has prop clearance. A DA-50 swings a 22 inch prop.....20 inch 3 blade. I cannot fathom this plane staying together let alone taking off with that engine. Any video of it?

Kevin

psuguru

Well,
I haven't seen him fly it for a while. He took the tailwheel off in favour of a skid. That raises the nose a bit.
And maybe I got it wrong and it was a DA26 (if they do one)
I've got a 16x8 prop on the OS 120AX and it looks a bit small on this model.

Whatever the engine was, the model was damn rapid and spent a lot of its time vertical!!


I'm having a bit of a weight and balance issue. With a "small" glow engine on the front, I need about 8 ounces up the front to get it balanced. I've taken the pilot out and the tailwheel off already. I'm thinking of moving the elevator servos into the fuselage and using Gold'N'rods for links.

psuguru

Just looked at the DA web-site.
It must have been a DA50. That's the smallest they do and it was definately a Desert Aircraft engine.

R/C Foolish

My Feedback: (6)

The only spec that is needed from the manual is the CG. Control throws are subjective to each flyer. Sure most manuals give you hi and low rates but I always set them to what is comfortable to me. Eye ball the rates for the maiden flight and then adjust for your flying style after. The specs are usually set by some professional flyer, the average guy set's up like that and then get's into all kinds of trouble on the 1st flights.

R/C Foolish

psuguru

Good advice there.
I still haven't flown it, the weather being 'orrible here, just down the road from Billericay, Essex.
I invested in a Great planes Accu-throw for the SEA 54 (68" E-540). I got the throws spot-on for the first flight and it flew straight as a die, but Lordy was it sensitive in roll! My hands were shaking so much after the first flight, I had to give up for the day!
So, I've set it up as I announced in the first post, just waiting for Der Tag when the wind, weather and wetness all stop conspiring against me!
Cheers,
Carole

fastmachine

hi, what would you think of using mvvs 35cc petrol in this model, have been looking for a model for this engine, i think this might be the one. any ideas?

psuguru

I think you'll need something between 3 and 4 bhp to have good vertical performance.
The 120AX is too light to balance the model, so rather than put 16oz of lead up the front, I've moved the elevator servos forwards into the fuselage.
I reckon a petrol engine would be ideal for this model and it clearly has been configured for big 4 strokes or petrol engines.

Falcon32

Hi psuguru
Have you flown it yet??
Can we have a flight report PLEASE

Thanks
Don

psuguru

Sadly Not.
I've been very busy professionally and just haven't found a weather slot on my free days.
I promise that I'll let you know how I get on.
Carole

psuguru

Sorry guys,
Still haven't flown the model due to the flying field having been dug up for improvements to drainage.
Our field was a WW1 fighter strip used in the defence of London.
It's been purchased by an enthusiast who is going to restore it, as close as possible, to operational condition as it was in 1918. see[link]http://www.stowmaries.com[/link]
The local parish council is giving him grief about restoring the 1915 perimeter track and access roads. Some clown thinks there will be people using it as a "rat-run". For pity's sake. There must be a dozen cars a day at most, and they're all from the model club. I think the UK's gone bonkers. It almost makes you want to become French.

psuguru

Well,
it was a perfect day here in sunny Essex for a first flight.
But that doesn't matter because they've ploughed the flying field again.
*****ng wonderful.
So, I ran the engine in the back garden, just to annoy our drug-addled neighbours.
Here's some photo's.
Note the servo's in the fuselage. there's a Perry VP-20 pump with a return to the tank via a non-return valve. Fuelling is via a Du-Bro quick filler and the filter is a Saito F1.
There's still some lead up front.

The first run was suitably rich, so there was plenty of stinky smoke; our neighbours are used to that though.
I've included a picture of my Mystic that I flew for the first time last week. It's 74 inches span, but it's dwarfed by the Edge!

Falcon32

Good to see your nearly there, can't wait to see a flight report