RE: RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Bruce It should say in the manual. I originally put a OS 91 FX in mine and later changed to a ASP 91.
I set the 91 on the engine mount and put the cowel on. I then put the spinner back plate to the spinner on, (make shure you leave about 1/8 inch gap between the spinner back plat and the front of the cowel. Pull the cowel & spinner back plate off and mark your holes useing a drill bit.
Take the cowel off and drill your holes.
One thing you might use is a wide paper clip clamp or a small C clamp to hold the engine in place on the engine mount while you are making adjustments.
If I remember right there wasnt much room (about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch) between the back of the motor and the fire wall.
Good Luck
NEDYOB

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Okay guys it is 2/26/04, and I am in the process of putting a newly purchased SeaGull Edge540 together. I have read all the horror stories about wings folding, elevator failures,rudders snapping, and under-powered engines.if you are still looking at these post, tell me what you think of my proposed set-up;
Saito 91 4/stroke (like they make anything else)
Futaba S3010 servos ( new model 70/90 oz torque) for control surfaces
Futaba 3004 for throttle (mounted behind engine compartment)reduce adding nose weight
Fiberglass main wing joint
Carbon Fiber laminate dihedral brace
support wires on vert. stab, is this a good idea??
replace wheels with 3" diamond cut foam for long grass,remove wheel pants
set up "Flaperons" for landing, will this help prevent snap roll at low
speed?
Pull-Pull set up for rudder
Install baffle on left side of air intake on cowling to redirect airflow to engine

And just for kicks if I can keep the weight down a perry smoke system.
Has anyone out there done a smoke system with a small 4/stroke?
Is it normally pumped into the carb, or the exhaust? As Perry has a unit that according to the write up has a carb injector needle valve fitting.
Serious replies to this site and to:
[email protected]
Thanks for all the excellent info and ideas;
Capt.Kirk
Port Huron Mich. yup that is the thumb in the mitten

RE: RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

I don't think you'll have any problems. The plane flies really great. Just make sure you don't factor in too much elevator throw. That was my problem from the beginning. Once I toned down on the elevator throw, the plane flies great. Make sure you do everything you can to make the plane as light as possible. Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RE: Seagull Models <span class=
 

I ordered a Seagull Edge 540, then I saw all the posts regarding this model and read through the lot in an evening. I then tried to cancel the order but it was on its way from Sussex Model Centre and appeared this morning. Tonight I have it mostly assembled and everything appears okay at this stage. The horizontal stab people have complained is weak is made from solid good quality balsa on mine with laminated hard balsa strip l/edge and t/edge. It is very rigid and will not break in the air. I have tried flexing the wing (I reckon it would be best to break in my hands rather than all over the flying field): the wing also appears sufficiently strong. Perhaps Seagull have been listening and made the necessary modifications...

In general the quality appears very good. I have taken the precaution of fibreglassing the u/carriage mount and have bought some quality ball connectors and clevises. Lets hope the problem is solved.

I have a set of HS 475HB servos that will be running at 6V and the power will be an MVVS 91 with Just Engine's own in-cowl silencer. I have retained the rudder pushrod: if it seems weak I'll replace it with a closed loop system later.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes - at the moment we have sub-zero temps and snow in the UK. From what I've read if the thing doesn't break in the air it will be a great model. I reckon the two strokes are favourite for a model like this where the weight might be a bit critical...

Cheers,

Mick.

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

I would like to thanks everyone for the excellent tips on the Seagull 60 size Edge 540 modification (wing joint mod, pull-pull rudder, etc..). I had a great day Saturday (03/06/04) with my bird; test flew it without too much problems. The bird has a Saito 1.20 spinning a 15X8 proper at @8400 RPM.

If anyone wants picture (s), I could shoot some and post it.

Great job everyone and keep the information flowing!!!

Best regards,

Federal1998:D

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

To all owners of the SeaGull Edge 540, I contacted Horizon Hobbies, and their Techi told me that they had received No reports of any problems with the wings folding on this plane, and that all defective planes would be handled on a plane by plane basis? That is what he really said. I too have one of these things, and though it looks good, I have flexed the wing like you would if you where going to add some washout. The left side wing was as stiff as anything I have ever seen, but the right side twisted ,and the covering wrinkled so much that I was afraid some thing might crack. I have fiberglassed the wing joint, and will install a wire brace kit on the tail, but I am still afraid that this thing will not survive the maiden flight. I think I will take one more suggestion, and that is to cut open the wing and install some 4 mil carbon fiber tube to the wing spar and the dihedral joiner box. I hope that this will increase the strength of the wing at this point, as almost every report is a failure at the right wing at the wing root. The horizontal stab problems are intriguing,are these problems being caused by not removing all the covering from the slot before applying epoxy? Anybody want to give an "honest I may have goofed" report on this. or maybe the fit was a little tight when they pushed the horiz.stab into the slot and maybe caused a crack at this point? It would be nice to get to the bottom of this, as it is a plane that some people report is a nice flier, and performs 3D and other moves without incident! Well if anyone wants to give me their after crash autopsy report, I would appreciate it, as I am waiting for some nice Michigan spring weather to test this thing out. Until then its spads and realflight. Kirk

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Hello, if you have access to Futaba servos, they have a new one out, the S3010, it puts out 70+ oz @ 4.8 volts, and 90+oz.@ 6 volts. 3 for $75 from Tower Hobbies. plenty strong. I suggest using pull pull on the rudder. It is a easy install and worth the effort. Good luck, I am waiting for good weather to fly mine, using a Saito 100, with a fiberglassed wing joint,wire brace kit on the tail, and reinforced the wing inside at the dihedral brace joiner box to the main spar. I am not letting this thing fall out of the sky like a wounded duck. stay in touch and letus know how it works out .
Kirk

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

I don't know about the Edge 540, but recently bought a Seagull Models Razzle 3D. It will be ready to go in about 2 weeks and it looks like a pretty good kit. The only thing I wasn't too pleased about was the covering, which I think could have been done better. I can get most of the wrinkles out with a heat gun.

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

I just finished my Seagull 540 and headed out for a test fly today. I had a 91fx with a 14x9 APC in the front, and had added pull pull rudder. take off a non event, loops not bad and fly by at around 3/4 throttle and something came off, it was half of the elevator Switching to high rates I was able to get it down in one bit. As we looked over the rear of the plane, the tail plane was broken and it has ripped out the LH rear side where the servo was mounted. the balsa is very soft with no leading or trailing edge support. it has broken through the lighting holes, I wanted to fly this in an event and start doing some 3D and free style but even when I make a built up tail plane I'm not sure after reading what I have now.

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Despite of all the problems reported here, I went out and bought the Edge 540 from Seagull some weeks ago. Flew it this saturday, and it flew very well.
Did some loops, rolls and snap-rolls. Nothing broke!! :)
I'm looking forward to flying it in not so windy conditions.

Lars

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Ok people, I bought my Edge about 3 weeks ago, and I have read every story both good and bad. The problem is the only ones I tend to remember are the tragic ones. As I write this my nearly finished plane is sitting in its cradle awaiting a Saito mount for the Saito 100 that I decided this plane required to allow it to perform to its full potential. I installed the new Futaba S3010 servos in the elevator, rudder and ailerons. the rudder is pull-pull, the servos give in the area of 90 in/oz of torque at 6 volts from a 1200 MA Nimh
battery pack. The wing joint has been fiberglassed, the wing was cut open at the end of the dihedral box,and the wing was inspected and reinforced at this location. A cracked rib was located in this inspection, and repaired.The wing bolt T screws were removed, the hardwood brace was reinforced, and real 1/4- 20 T nuts were installed. Flying wires were installed on the tail surfaces, both above and below. All servo control rods are 4-40,with threaded clevises. The wheel pants were discarded, and 3" diamond cut foam wheels were installed. Strategic stress points in the airframe were reinforced with both CA, and epoxy where required. The overall weight is just under 9 pounds. All throws were set to the manual specs, both hi and low rate, and my try out flight will be recorded with a digital video cam showing all mods to the wing and airframe in the preflight assembly before the flight. If I too experience the dreaded shed of the lifting surfaces AKA wings,tail etc. a copy of this flight will be sent to Horizon Hobbies and stills to this site. as a Christian, please don't wish me luck, but the Grace of God that this plane will perform as it was intended, and not a wounded duck. I am a new member to this site, and I want to thank you all for your input on this model, both the good and the bad. The best thing that we can do is give fair and honest reports on our building techniques, and possible mistakes/errors in judgment. Thanks Capt. Kirk

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Where should the center of gravity be? I seem to have misplaced my manual.

Thanks!

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

It's 3 1/2 inches from th lading edge of the wing.
NEDYOB

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

After building a built up tail and adding top and bottom flyiing wires I could tow of this sucker now. starting to log some good triming flights, adding a little up and right thrust things were looking good. For aerobatics I ran a 16x8 and it few like it was on rails. Running out of time I took it to an event where you had to do scale aeros and then a free style. in aeros I pulled 8s and up to 9.5 great!
In the free style I changed the prop to a 16x6. I took off with 2x rolls 3' of the deck to a knife edge lap, and then pulling up I did a few snaps, spins, hovers and then a spin down, pulling out to a snip and then a kAfter building a built up tail and adding top and bottom flying wires I could tow of this sucker now. starting to log some good trimming flights, adding a little up and right thrust things were looking good. For aerobatics I ran a 16x8 and it few like it was on rails. Running out of time I took it to an event where you had to do scale aeros and then a free style. in aeros I pulled 8s and up to 9.5 great!
In the free style I changed the prop to a 16x6. I took off with 2x rolls 3' of the deck to a knife edge lap, and then pulling up I did a few snaps, spins, hovers and then a spin down, pulling out to a snip and then a knife edge down the strip and then the wing snapped off at the end of the dihedral brace. on a closer instection when they trimmed the wing they cut through the D cap. Still talking to the importer to see what they will do for a replacement. apart from this it flys great the next one I get will have to get some wing work. Or maybe I need to look at something else dose anyone have a good tip on what knife edge down the strip and then the wing snaped off at the end of the dihedrail brace. on a closer instection when they trimed the wing they cut through the D cap. Still talking to the importer to see what they will do for a replacement. apart from this it flys great the next one I get will have to get some wing work. Or maybe I need to look at somthing else dose anyone have a good tip on what

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Chalk up another Edge going down due to a stabilizer failure! I had 5 flights on
it and really liked the airplane. I had an OS FX .61 on it, and although a bit under
powered, it flew just fine. It really needed a 90 or bigger. A buddy of mine was
flying it and was bringing it by on a level high speed pass when the right stab snapped
off followed quickly by the left one. After that it was a real expensive powerd lawndart.
He yanked the thottle back to lessen the impact, but it still totaled the plane. Sure wish
I could have gotten that one on video!

When we gathered up all the parts, we noticed that the balsa in the stab was really soft
and definately not the sort that should have been used there. I'm sure a good tail brace
would have stopped this, but hind sight it 20/20.

I have a friend that just got a razzle put together. I told him to brace the tail.
In the mean time, I'm done with seagull models. There are way to many other
good arfs out there.

So many planes, so little time!

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Hi,

After reading this thread (congratullations and thank you to all of you), I recently bough an Edge 540 from Seagull. Excellent craftmanship for the money.

It is now fitted with an OS 91 FX (14x6 APC), CG 3.5 in and control throws as per the manual. Total weight came up to 3.8 Kg or 8.4 lbs. I have so far done 5 flights trying to adjust it but came up with a right-wing snap problem that is present even when using softly the controls on the low rates. I have rechecked the split elevator and alieron as well as lateral balance and everything is ok as far as I can measureit but the problem still persitst. Typically, I start a wide loop and before reaching the top, the right wing has already forced a half roll. On hi rates it becames a solid snap.

Any ideas/suggestions?

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Hello ARAS,
This is what I did with my Seagull Edge 540...
(1) balanced mine laturally & longitudinal. Also moved my CG back to about 4 inches from the L.E.
(thickest part of the wing) this was only about 1/2 in. from the recomemded CG of 3 1/2.
(2) Set incidence on the tail at "0" and I had +1 up incidience on the wing.
(3) I reduced my LOW RATE from the factory settings to this.
AILERON to 37%
ELEVATOR to 65% (could reduce it to 60 % because it will still snap out at full pull on elev.
Rudder to 50%
(4) put a 14.6 ASP prop. on my OS 91FX, I may try a 15.6 APC to drop the top end speed.
This setup has really settled my Edge down since Its first flight in April.
This plane should only be flown on low rates whe doing pattern arobatics, and high rate for 3D manuvers.
(5) I heard of putting 3 inch long triagle stock about 3 inches from the fuse side on the leading edge of the wing. This is to stop the wing from tip stalling on landing. I may give it a try and see what it does.
NEDYOB

It could be that your pulling to much elevator in the loop and the Edge is spapping out on you.

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

WOW I am such a nerd. I just spent the whole night reading this thread. I haven't flown for a few years due to lack of time, money and workshop. My kids are growing up and getting to flying age, so I really want to get back into it, and get the kids into it too. I am going to get a new workshop soon, and will be able to fix up some of my old planes, and finish building some of the kits that I started years ago, but never finished. In the mean time though, I just want to get something that will get me in the air quickly, and having fun again. So I was thinking of the Edge 540. Thank god I read this thread through and did my research. Elevators and wings flying off is not my style. I mean a plane is supposed to fly, and it can only do so with a full compliment of control surfaces and wings. Even if the Seagull ARTF is good value, it is no value what so ever if it is cheaply built up with the wrong grade of wood, ribs cut with trimming knives etc. IF you buy a product and it breaks or doesn't do what it is supposed to do, what do you do? You complain that's what! There are far to many second rate, shoddy models and kits being sold, and we just sit back and let the manufacturers get away with it!

It's a shame, it's a nice looking ARTF, and had I have not found this thread when I did a search on google, I would have probably bought one, just to have the thing fall apart on me. Now I will have to look for something else which does not shed it's wings.

I don't want to spend too much money on an ARTF because having not flown for some years theres a high chance of disaster. Also I have to pay out for a trainer and engine for the kids, a new lawn mower to cut the strip, and a workshop. I do want a scale plane, preferably aerobatic, and 4 stroke engine, because I have a smoke fetish. Well I mean an aerobatic plane with out a smoke system is like a car with out wheels. I make my own smoke systems, and if anyone is interested, I will post a 'how to...' thread on the subject. It's very simple, and very effective. Looks great, but you do need a hot engine such as 4 stroke, gas engine or jet.

Any way getting back to the subject of Seagull's Edge (or the lack of it). In reading this thread, I have followed the stories of several people, from ordering their Edge, installing engines and radio, modifications, flying, and yes.... wings falling off, UCs bending and separating on landing, elevators snapping and so on. It's been an interesting read, and I really do sympathise with those of you who have fallen fowl of the bad quality/build and had your lovely pride and joy destroyed by no fault of your own. Especially the guy who's Edge got written off before it even left the ground, due to some novice crashing into it in the pits!!!

Unless my supplier can guarantee that these issues have been fixed (which I doubt) I shall not be getting one, or going anywhere near any Seagull ARTFs. It is such a shame that these companies take a great design, then mass produce it, build it with cheap labour and chuck them out in bulk to the modelling community and ignore build faults. I can only suggest that we all boycott companies who try to take our money in return for substandard products. Perhaps then, they will start to realise that we want quality for our money, and that we don't want to spend 100s on scrap wood fit only for a bin bag.

Sure, not all Seagull ARTFs fall apart, but the fact that so many apparently do is a major issue. When you buy a plane, you may expect to crash it through your own fault, but you do not expect it to fail do to manufacturing faults. Tat just isn't good enough. Fight for your rights. If you buy a faulty product, complain about it!

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

I also read the this thread prior to purchasing the Edge 540. I thought that with a couple of minor modifications, the plane would still be a good value. My Edge now has around 20 flights or so on it and I have not had a single failure yet. Some of the things I checked ( with tips from this board) are:

- Installed tail surface flying wires.

- Moved CG back to 4". - This helped with the snapping on Loops

- Decreased the control surface throws. - Also help reduce snapping on loops.

- Removed the wing's bottom covering on the first 3 bays. I found that the shear webbing was barely glued on. One shear web had 1 drop of glue on it! I removed the shear webs and reglued them. I also added 3 layers of Dave Brown Carbon fiber strip on top of the shear webbing.

I can say that the landing gear is some sort of cheasy pot metal and bends easily. The included wheel pants look like they should fit a .25 size aircraft.- I tossed them. We have a grass field and wheel pants on a small plane only serve to act as wheel chocks.

The offset elevator servo mounts are the strangest thing! I used the rear mount for a rudder servo. I cut out an opening for the other elevator servo directly opposite the other mount. The plane balances fine with an OS 120 FS with the receiver on the servo tray and the battery just behind the fuse rear wing mounting block.

I am using Hitec HS-645MG servos all around except for the throttle. Throttle is Futaba s300x servo.

I can say that the Edge is very easy to flat spin!

I am interested in your smoke system design. Could you post it on this thread for us to read?

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Hello BINBAG,
The Seagull Edge 540, I thought was a great plane to fly for the a budget minded flier. As I said before in my post . There were five things I did to make my Edge more flier friendly. I will admit it here that when my Seagull Edge 540 crashed last month was NOT DUE to a cheaply built plane but the crash was due to pilot error.
My Edge snapped inverted due to to much throttle & elevator after coming out on the back side of an avalanche. I do not blame the plane or the planes constuction at all. I am not a first time pilot or inexpirienced flier, Iconcider myself as an Advanced aerobatic pilot and flew all my manuvers every well with the Seagull Edge 540.
Since the crash I have bought another one and am almost done building it. I did the same mods at I did to my first one and I turst in my building that the Seagull Edge 540 will be a very dependable plane.
NEDYOB

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

What dose ARTF stand for again??? Almost ready to fix!!

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

quick question regarding cg of plane, manual says 3.5 inches measured from the fuselage, I don't have a cg machine, does this translate to 3.5 inches at the wingtip as well? When I flew it seemed tail heavy, check cg as best i could from fuse and seems nose heavy, any suggestions for simple cg from wingtips. Thanks all

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Friend of mine bought one of these. On the maiden flight, just after the first turn heading downwind at about 1/2 throttle the right wing panel decided it did not want to stay on, it broke right off about 6 inches past the center. It was quite shocking, must of been assembled on a Friday afternoon. Never did see a loop or a roll [:'(]
I must say, the vendor that sold it was quick to send a new one out. Hopefully Seagull stood behind the retail store!
He's scared to fly this one with anyone around!
Stay safe!

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Put 2 flights on my seagull edge .60 today and both were uneventful. Got a saito 100 in the nose and that is plenty of power for this bird.

First flight didnt do anything but a couple of slow rolls and check out the stall characteristics.

2nd flight more rolls a few loops and then I wanted to put alittle stress on her just to see if she would fall apart. Did several spins and rolls on high rates. Also did some high speed/high-g pull outs and the wing didnt show any sign of weakness (yet).

So far I am very happy with her but I need to get quite a few more flights on it to make any final judgments.

Saito 100
throttle fut 3004
Ailerons 2 hitec 525bb
elevator 2 hitec 545bb
rudder hitec 625mg

Harry

RE: Seagull Models Edge 540
 

Hello KEWSDOG,
Glad to finaly hear some possative feed back on the Seagull Edge 540 60 size. I had mine out these past two weekends and still working out the qwires. Anyway no great problems. I did have a dead stick and got the plane back to the ground in one piece.

I did look at my old wing on my other Edge 540 and it does look like that not much glue was used in the building process. I then later pulled off the bottom covering on the new wing and got out my thin CA glue and reglued the rib and spar joints. Recovered the bottom of the wing and you can't tell it was even touched.
I also put some bass wood on the wing saddle to take the gap out of where the wing bolt into. This gives the wing something to rest on the width of the fuse.
I've got about 15 flights on my new Edge 540 and everything is going fine so far.
NEDYOB