PaulG-RC

The only reason they have small servos in the tail section is to reduce the nose weight balace.
After I test the model for the review I will most likely install the tail servos in the foward section of the fuselage and also the fuel tank at the CG, unless the plane handles very well as is.

Paul

flyanything

On second inspection I did find that one of the bulkhead sides had been completely missed by the factory builder... no glue at all! The bulkhead was glued on the bottom and right side but no glue at all on the left side so that side was unattached to the hull.

John

PaulG-RC

I would really like to know what they use to glue those in place, it shure does'nt look like glue to me.
Even if mine seems to be solid in place I did glass and use aircraft grade epoxy, because I was able to snap one out without any problem..........I dont really like that.[]

Hookedonairplanes

Hey guys,

Maybe someone else is now running Great Planes, instead of Don Anderson and this is the NEW Great Planes? !

Maybe the result is the Seawind? I don't know... But who knows?

Please don't expand on this subject because this thread is suppose to be about the Seawind. Thanks and I am sorry for this comment in this catagory...

Roy

flyanything

I got my Saito 100 and Robart retracts today. I hope to have this plane ready for our clubs next float fly sometime soon.

John

RVman

nexxa, how are you going to make the gear doors for the nose gear? It will need doors or a cover for flying off water i would think?

RVman

pics of LG setup. It is all done by the one servo. Bellcrank in the middle and snap on ball links to put on when taking the wings on and off.

westridge

Happy New Year everyone. I would like to do an E conversion on this kit, I just bought it but do not like gas engines and have no real place to fly gas, and I only fly electric. I have done a couple of e conversions but they were much simpler than what this would be I think. What motor or gear box set up could I use? Can anyone direct me to someone who would know or has done a conversion on one similar ?

- John

PaulG-RC

Hi John
Here is a thread on a conversion for the Seawind.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3378048/tm.htm

Paul

flying_phil

My Feedback: (4)

Hi RVman

I just finished my Seawind, however I used the included landing gear. Yesterday I did a trial balance, just to see how much nose weight I would need to add and wasn't suprised that it will take about 20 oz. Not only is the LG heavy with the mains behind the CG, but I am using a Thunder Tiger .91 four stoke that is about 26 oz.
I put the plane on the bench resting on the LG and was suprised to see that without a battery it would not rest on the nose gear. I put in an 1800 mah battery that weighs about 7 oz. and that brought the nose down.

My question to seawind builders is when balancing the plane, I used the GP balancer, did you get the plane to stay unsupported on the two balancing arms? I got mine to say steady for about a second or two and then it wanted to go forward or back. Usually, when I balance a plane I can let it set on the arms and walk away but not the seawind.

I called GP and they said that if you can get it to set for one or two seconds and then it goes forward that's what you are looking for. However, if after a second or two it wants to go backwards, add more nose weight. They also said not to balance it inverted and to be sure the balancing stand is facing forward, as in the instruction manual.

Phil

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

This is typical. I had the same problem. It is due to the fact that the engine is placed high above the centerline.

So like they said, if it sits level for a few seconds (I used the green line along the fuse as a level point) and will then drop to either the nose or the tail (IE, if from level, you push the nose just past level, it should drop to the nose - If you push the tail just past level, it should drop to the tail)
Then you should be good to go.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

BTW, I had to add 21oz and a standard battery pack to the nose using an OS 91

MMallory

My Feedback: (1)

Has anyone flown this plane off water with a smaller engine? I am considering using a Saito .72 I have laying around. I do plan on making it a full amphibian.

Thanks,

Mark

seanychen

My Feedback: (4)

Sounds like glueing 13 oz of lead weight other than battery is quite a work out. Where can I find a 1-lb. slug?

It seems Saito 100 is a good choice due to its light total weight and power.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

What I did was to take a wad of modeling clay and press it into one side of the nose (I placed the battery in the other side) From that clay I made a plaster mold.

Then, I got lead weights from a gas station (They remove old lead weights when they balance tires - Just ask, they will give you a few handfuls for free)

I melted down the lead, poured it into the mold, and let cool. Once it was completely cool, I epoxied it into the nose.

MMallory

My Feedback: (1)

The best weights are at the bait shops. Kmart has a good selection especially if you have salt water supplies in your area. I use PFM to glue in weights. Just glop and drop.

Mark

flyanything

Is anyone planning on using a servo tray up front to move the elevator, rudder, and perhaps even the throttle servo up front to avoid adding so much lead weight? This also would allow the use of standard size servos instead of the mini size. I'm thinking a plug/guide could be fashioned to fit the servo holes in the rear.

John

RVman

mine only needs about 10oz noseweight and thats with a 2.5 oz water rudder assembly in the back. I am using a saito 82, AUW should be about 11 1/4. This seems lighter than most peoples seawinds considering the extra stuff on mine?

gouda

My Feedback: (69)

Maybe the nose gear and servo made the diff??

flying_phil

My Feedback: (4)

Hey Mark,

What is PFM?

Thanks,

Phil

seanychen

My Feedback: (4)

I am used to 1.5 to 1 thrust to weight ratio, and I don't think I will get anywhere close to even 1:1. So this may be a lesson for me: I actually have to fly the plane like it's supposed to be flown.

Skyventures

Has anyone mounted the fuel tank at the CG, and if so balanced as per specs. or did you balance a little behind CG specs?
Has anyone checked the balance point with the fuel tank in the engine nacel with the tank full?

Skyventures

Here's how I did it.
When my wife lets me use our digital camera again, I'll send more pictures of the inside of the fuse. to show where I mounted the servos . (Rudder, Elevator, throttle)

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Skyventures, Very nice work!

flying_phil

My Feedback: (4)

I talked to GP about that a while ago and they said that they have compensated for the empty tank by moving the CG to 1 1/32" from the leading edge. If you fill the tank or even half fill it, you will throw off the balance.

Phil