?? I LOVE Ultracote. I've used every film out there, it beats them all. I don't love the color schemes on my Sun Dancers, but the covering is great stuff. Oh, well...... different strokes!

Jim

The Sun Dancer is covered in Aerokote not Ultracote. It looks like all SIG products now use Aerokote.

I've since found that Aerokote is a really low temperature covering. 200 - 220 degress F.

I might try it again as I purchased a SIG Rascal 40 that was advertised as being covered in Oracover / same as Ultracote but is now covered in Aerokote. I was somewhat miffed to say the least. I've kept the iron down to 220 and it seems okay for now.
John

Thank you!, I´ll do more research, mi choices are OS 120 FSE (no pump) or OS 120 AX, because these are the only available engines here in Argentina.
Sorry my poor english.
Eddy

Aerokote, eh? I'll have to take a closer look at it. This could give me a reason to peel it down and put a better color scheme on it. I suppose I could always do that after I find out how this stuff holds up. I haven't read many other complaints about it anywhere yet.

Jim

Well I received my attic special and the box did have some minor damage but the airplane looks unscathed. I'm thinking of buying another cowl and trying the .91 Magnum 4 stroke in it. If I do not like the performance I can drop the Saito 125 in it

Jim, I bought the Seagull simply because it is covered in Ultracote. I got so disgusted with the Sun Dancer Aerokote covering that I sold it to a fellow club member for $100.00.
John

I used to like the ARCs because you could pick your own colors and designs. I think that before I gave a good-flying bipe away that I'd strip her down and recoat her "My Way"....

I can't imagine anything from SIG that doesn't fly very well, that's why I bought my Sun Dancer 50.... Looking forward to spring to see how it does. I've flown too many winters to enjoy going out and creaking in the cold just to watch a model fly around. I'll survive on a RealFlight until then!

I hope the covering is adequate, but I'll probably know that before I have finished the build. An extra day or two of work on it to recover it doesn't seem extreme, seeing as it is a SIG model. I don't know about their ARFs, but in the past I've found SIG products to be of exceptional quality in most areas, especially in flying characteristics. Never did like their koverall fabric, and the ABS plastic cowls didn't stand up to much, but those never do no matter what the brand.. Worst case scenario I can give her the trademark HogBipe "cheeks" around the engine and leave the cowl off. I don't recall right now whether the SD50 had a fiberglass cowl or not.

Jim

If I'd have cooled down some I probably would have. As it was my buddy got a good deal and my frustration level returned to normal.

I've like Sig products, I had a kit built Sig 40 Four Star, kit built 60 Four Star, kit built Somethin Extra, LT40 ARF, Rascal 40 ARF and have a Hog Bipe kit on the building board. When Sig ARF's used Oracover I thought they were the best ARFs on the market. They are still premium priced but in my opinion the Aerokote covering is actually chinakote - a far sub standard product when compared to Oracover or Ultracote.

John

hi just wondering if anyone knows the 3d capability of the seagull ultimate or were i would be acle to find a video of it flying would benvery gratefull for any info

Well, just maidened the Seagull Ultimate today, was one of the best maiden flights I can remember. Used the recommended control throughs and the CG per assembly manual. Only took four clicks of down to trim out.

I am using a ST 91, had no problem getting off the ground, maybe about 50 feet or so. For sport flying the 91 is going to work just fine, plenty of power for speed. For big loops, need to start with good speed as she runs out of steam on the uphill. My plane came in a just over 10 lbs. Need more power for 3D, which I don't do so it will be fine.

I will also add the first flight ended in a dead stick, and the plane came in well controlled, no problem setting it down without power.

Bird403,
Thanks for the report. You are using a 91 2 stroke and running out of steam during a climb so I'm going to be using the Saito 125 on mine. I was on the fence and considering a 91 Magnum 4 stroke. I don't do 3D either but I do like doing big loops and acrobatics.
Thanks,
John

John,

Yes, I got a good deal on the ST 91, then I needed to buy a plane for the engine, that's why I wound up with the Ultimate in the first place. If I were buying the engine for the plane, I would go bigger for sure. In fact I enjoyed the plane so much I may end up upgrading the engine .

Merle

Just got in from flying mine. It has a OS 120Ax, put a xoar 17x6 prop and it made a big differnce. I was hovering at less than 1/2 throttle. It had penty of pull out. Does a great invernted flat spin and does a real good elevtor.

With your xoar 17x6 prop on your 120 ax , I am curious of your tach readings...

Didn't tach it, but if I go out Mon I will get some readings. I liked the way it run with the xoar, it seems better than apc.

Very good, I look forward to your readings. How is engine transition, spool up, spool down with the xoar prop? Thank you for the info!

Both spool up and down are good. no problems with transtion.

Hmmmm...I was thinking about a Saito 100 for mine, sounds like I'd be similarly powered at best. I wonder how a G-26 with electronic ignition would work for this? I was thinking that for anything above the Saito 100 I'd just as soon use a gas engine. Any thoughts or anybody who has used one??

Jim

Personally I feel anything that requires a Saito 150 or bigger needs gas. I would be concerned that the additional weight on a 54" WS biplane weighing 10 lb would turn it into a real dog. Carl Goldbergs or World Models Ultimate are much lighter from the start. I've a couple of 120 size 4 strokes and I do not find their fuel consumption to be prohibitive.

Just my two cents,
John

No, John, you're right. It's a tough call right at this size. I used to hate all the fuel my Saito 120 and 150 used and all the slime that went with it, and always thought that I'd like to go to gas when I get to this size. But I AM aware that with the existing technology on the smaller gassers there is some additional weight...I suppose the individual plane will determine whether it's a penalty or well-thought out application. For instance, Great Planes had to use an additional 20 ounces in the nose of its Giant Scale Super Chipmunk test models to balance them with the Glow motors they used. Now, why couldn't I use a G-26 with electronic igniton (lighter) or similar small gasser in the nose of something like that? Seems like a good way to put the extra weight to use. And at the other end of the spectrum, I have my doubts on this Ultimate Bipe because I think it really WOULD be a weight penalty. Brings to mind one of our old field quips; "All the glide characteristics of a manhole cover!"
Decisions, decisions....

Jim

a Few post back mr haney used the g20 on his and liked it very well. I also have the g20 that i my swap out the 125 saito to. Busted Blade installed the BCMA 26 on his and did not like the results . He said it lacked in power.

Mainer_Jim
Fly the dog gone thing with the 100 Saito and see if you like it.

You can always buy another cowl. My choice as I already have the motors was between a .91 and a 125. I'm going to be putting in the 125. I believe the 100 Saito is considerably stronger than my Magnum .91.

lrglnman
We all have our opinions on what a decent powered airplane is. It is good to see some people liked the gas motors, though for this particular plane I'll pass. In my opinion just too much weight on an already heavy airframe.

John

I was just looking back through this thread and I read some of my posts & started laughing. You can sure tell when I've been posting with a migraine! I need to NOT post when I'm not at 100%! I'm still looking for the gasser results.

Jim

Well did't get to fly today, but I did run the os 120. It is turning 8400 to 8500 with the xoar 17x6 prop. using mach 7 15% fuel with a fireball glow plug. Using the stock muffler with the 90 deg adapter.

Great! and thanks for the awesome picture. I wasn't going to go quite that size prop, was thinking a 16x6, but those readings work for me, thanks again.

I have a 16-6 apc and a saito 125 .I like the combo. I started out with a Top Flight 15-8. I may still experiment with a few more props.
How are you guys lining up your elevator halfs? If not careful one side will travel farther than the other causing problems.