Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I'm going to be ordering this plane, and I know there are quite a few with experience with it here. I'm planning on getting a Hitec Flightpack with 5 x HS425's for it, and a sullivan tailwheel holder.

I fly off packed gravel or crushed quartz, so I don't think I need to be too worried abot gear size, but I was thinking about it. I know that you can open the bottom of the wheel pants a bit and go with a larger wheel, I'm wondering how big I can go without removing the pants. Also, should I get a Sullivan Wheel pant mount/wheel collar set? I've heard the stock mount doesn't stop rotation.

There was mention of putting epoxy on the clear cover that may chip off when you are cutting the cowl, I'm not sure what type of epoxy is meant by this. Any help there?

Are there any other things I should be thinking of with this plane? I was contemplating throwing flying wires on the tail, but that is purely for scale looks. Same goes for landing gear bracing wires. I'm going to set it up with flaperons, but mostly because my radio will aileron mix and I don't need to mess with Y harnesses. I've heard it lands nice with flaperons, but somehow I don't think it needs them.

Thanks a lot for the help, look forward to flying this great plane.
Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I found Mike Buzzeo's review very helpfull. Try this link http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=379

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I don't have any advice but I do like the looks of the Seagull ARFs. I would really love to get a Harrier (maybe for Christmas :eek: )

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I've read Minn's review, its one of the factors that helped me decide on it, seeing a good review from an impartial person, not a magazine looking for sponsors.

Maybe he'll pop in here and give me a pointer or two. :)

Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I would recommend the bracing wires on the tail. My SW2 always flew well, except for the annoying tendency for the tail to wag at higher speeds. I always suspected that bracing would have helped. unfortunately, I pancaked mine in on a deadstick, and haven't gotten around to repairing her. I do miss flying that plane though! Very nice Sunday flier, and with flaperons, she's a dream to land.

Good luck with yours!

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

It looks like you can open the bottom of the wheel pants, about 3 inchs. I need to do this to my cousins plane, the grass at the club is to high and it likes to nose dive in the dirt when landing. Wheels are on order http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK156&P=M when they come in I'll send some pictures of what I had to do to get them in. Here are some pic's on how I mounted the receiver and battery.

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

IFly... sorry you lost yours, good luck on the rebuild. I read your earlier posts about how nice it flew, good luck on the rebuild. I'll probably do the wires if for nothing else than they look great on the plane and are scale. May look at a cub or two and see how they mock up the landing gear braces too.

Sgt A... pics of the larger wheels would be great, I'll look forward to seeing them. Your cousin is a lot braver than I am, I'd never have the nerve to use screwlock control rod ends on flight surfaces. :)

I'll probably be ordering it in a few weeks, I'm not in a big rush, I still need to put in quite a bit of NexSTAR time before I want to take it up. It will give me a bit of time to set it up nice.

What's the best way to seal the edges of the trim, I've heard clear nail polish mentioned. Anyone? The trim on my NexSTAR is starting to peel already, I'd like to avoid that in the future.

Thanks,
Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

If your still flying a trainer, I feel the Spacewalker II is a great plane to step up to. It floats real nice and when I land I have the throttle almost nill. It does pull a little to the right on take off but not real bad and the tail does give a funny wag while in the air. I have yet to hear a bad thing about it.

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Graham,
Since your going to swap out the tail wheel can I have the old one? :-)
I like their design, haven't gotten the plane yet, because they put no pressure on the rudder
like the spring loaded Sullivans do. Any idea who makes these tail wheels?
Good Luck,
KW_Counter

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Maybe I need to recheck the manual, it looked like it did? The Sullivan's pressure on the rudder is dampened through a spring, and the wheel itself is sprung under the fuse, so a hard landing doesn't put pressure into the rudder like some I've seen.

I'll re-read it and look.. I thought it was one of the type that just passed a rod through the mount and the wheel was actually hung off the rudder.

Graham

EDIT: Hmmmmm it doesn't completely hang off the rudder, but pretty close. I'd definately prefer a Sullivan. It only uses the rudder for steerage. [link=http://www.sullivanproducts.com/LandingGearMainFrame.htm]Sullivan Tailwheel Assembly[/link]

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Be careful what you wish for :D

Hi Graham, The Spacewalker is a very nice little plane. The only thing I would caution you about is it's tendency to pull to the left on takeoff. Now ALL Taildraggers will pull to the left, but the Spacewalker was one of the few times I ever had to abort the maiden takeoff due to it going off the runway.

It seems that once it starts, it can get ahead of you easily. After I shimmed the engine to the right, it helped quite a bit - there was still a good bit of pull to the left, but it was much more manageable.

Hope this helps!

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Graham,
I have only seen the pictures in the review.
It looks like the wheel is attached to the fuse with a rod going from the assembly toward the rudder.
This is loosely coupled to the rudder via a U shaped piece of plastic.
In this manner there is no pulling or pushing on the rudder from a spring, the wheel just follows the rudder.
My World Models Mach II works in a similar fashion.
When you get yours look at it and let me know if I am right or wrong.
Thanks and Good Luck,
KW_Counter

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Seagull usues that Tailwheel arrangement on all of their planes (that I have seen - 4 so far), and it works just fine. No need to replace.

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Thanks for the input Minn, I won't bother with the Sullivan tailwheel then. When I first looked at it, it looked like the one on the Matt Chapman CAP that was hung from the tailwheel and had the plastic bit on the fuse as only a pivot. If that's not the case, I won't worry too much, although I do like the idea of the spring between the tailwheel and the servo controlled surface.

I'd love to do the Sig 1/4 kit, but there's no way that I could build that in my apartment. Its a shame the GP ARF isn't available any longer. I'd love to use this as a chance to step up in size. The GP version flies so well in G3 as well.

Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Here's Seagull's tailwheel, The "Tiller" bar acts as a spring. If you prefer the Sullivan, go for it, I just think it's not necessary

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Thanks Minn... I can see how the longish tiller would give it some flex action. I was just worried, after reading about rudder hinges breaking and such on similar style mounts. (You've never seen my stylin landings!! LOL) I'll take your word for it. ;)

How much right thrust did you add in, just a normal washer's width?

Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Well, the engine sits on a 45º angle, So as I recall, I used an 1/8" shim on the LH bolt, and a 1/16" shim on the top and bottom bolt

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Ok will keep that in mind and have them ready when I maiden if it takes off left. Thanks.

Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Minn,
Ever seen that style of tail wheel sold as an aftermarket item?
Thanks,
KW_Counter

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

No, wish someone would

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I looked at every manufacturer that I could think of and couldn't find that tail-wheel assembly. I emailed Seagull and asked them about it, I'll let you know if I get any response.

Graham

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

The Sullivans are inexpensive and work well. I use them on every tail dragger I put together where it needs it or not! :D

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

I use the Sullivan tailwheels on all of my taildraggers too

Ken

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

On my Spacewalker II the tail wheel wire would bend easily. I found myself bending the wire back in shape after every flight. The Sullivan tail wheel is much better. Also, if you expect this Spacewalker to perform like the Great Planes version, you will be disapointed. IMHO, it is just an average flyer.

RE: Seagull Space Walker II Planning
 

Is the Great Planes version still selling? I couldn't find it on 2 of the bigger on line stores?!?[:o]