Seagull Models DECATHLON ARTF User manual

DECATHLON

Hand-made Almost Ready to Fly R/C Model Aircraft

ASSEMBLY MANUAL

Made in Vietnam.

Kit features

• Ready-made-minimal assembly & finishing required.

• Ready-covered covering.

• Factory-installed pushrods.

• Factory-installed engine mount.

• Comprehensive hardware pack including wheels, tank, spats,undercarriage& spinner.

• Photo-illustrated step-by-step Assembly Manual.

SPECIFICATIONS:

WING SPAN ----------------------------------------172CM -------------------------------- 67.75 in.

WING AREA --------------------------------------49.17Sq.dm -----------------------------762Sq.in.

WEIGHT ---------------------------------------3.17 - 3.62KG ----------------------- 7- 8lbs.

ENGINE SIZE ------------------------ .40 - .46 cu. in----------------------------------- 2-stroke.

------------ .50 - .72 cu. in----------------------------------- 4-stroke.

RECOMMENDED R/C --------------------------- 4 CHANNEL MINIMUM WITH 6 SERVOS.

FLYING SKILL LEVEL ----------------------------------------ADVANCED / INTERMEDIATE.

LENGTH -------------------------------------------127CM -------------------------------------50in.

DECATHLON Instruction Manual

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the DECATHLON ARTF by SEAGULL MODELS. The DECATHLON was

designed with the intermediate/advanced sport flyer in mind. It is a semi scale airplane which is

easy to fly and quick to assemble. The airframe is conventionally built using balsa, plywood and

veneer to make it stronger than the average ARTF , yet the design allows the aeroplane to be kept

light. You will find that most of the work has been done for you already. The pushrods are pre-made

to the correct lengths, the motor mount has been fitted and the hinges are pre-installed and pinned

for security. Flying the DECATHLON is simply a joy.

This instruction manual is designed to help you build a great flying aeroplane. Please read this

manual thoroughly before starting assembly of your DECATHLON . Use the parts listing below to

identify all parts.

WARNING

Please be aware that this aeroplane is not a toy and if assembled or used incorrectly it is

capable of causing injury to people or property. WHEN YOU FLY THIS AEROPLANE YOU

ASSUME ALL RISK & RESPONSIBILITY.

If you are inexperienced with basic R/C flight we strongly recommend you contact your R/C supplier

and join your local R/C Model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs offer a variety of training

procedures designed to help the new pilot on his way to successful R/C flight. They will also be able

to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

✑.40-.46 2-stroke engine.

.50-.72 4-stroke engine.

✑Computer radio with six servos.

✑Glow plug to suit engine.

✑Propeller to suit engine.

✑Protective foam rubber for radio

system.

✑Silicone fuel line.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED

✑Thick cyanoacrylate glue.

✑30 minute epoxy.

✑5 minute epoxy.

✑Hand or electric drill.

✑Assorted drill bits.

✑Modelling knife.

✑Straight edge ruler.

✑2mm ball driver.

✑Phillips head screwdriver.

✑220 grit sandpaper.

✑90° square or builder’s triangle.

✑Wire cutters.

✑Masking tape & T-pins.

✑Thread-lock.

✑Paper towels.

PARTS LISTING

FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY

✑(1) Fuselage.

WING ASSEMBLY

✑(1) Right wing half with pre-installed

aileron.

✑(1) Left wing half with pre-installed

aileron.

✑(1) Plywood wing dihedral brace.

✑(1) Covering strip for centre section

joint.

Tail section assembly

✑(1) Vertical stabilizer with pre-

installed rudder.

✑(1) Horizontal stabilizer with pre-

installed elevator halves.

Some more parts.

HARDWARE PACK

COWLING.

Landing gear.....

DECATHLON INSTRUCTION MANUAL

NOTE: To avoid scratching your new aero-

plane we suggest that you cover your

workbench with an old towel. Keep a

couple of jars or bowls handy to hold

the small parts after you open the

bags.

Please trial fit all parts. Make sure you

have the correct parts and that they

fit and are aligned properly before

gluing! This will ensure proper as-

sembly as the DECATHLON is

made from natural materials and

minor adjustments may have to be

made.

The paint and plastic parts used in

this kit are fuel proof. However, they

are not tolerant of many harsh chemi-

cals including the following: paint

thinner, cyano-acrylate glue accel-

erator, cyanoacrylate glue de-bonder

and acetone. Do not let these chemi-

cals come in contact with the colours

on the covering and the plastic parts.

DECATHLON Instruction Manual

✑ 4)Deflect the aileron and completely

saturate each hinge with thin CA glue. The

ailerons front surface should lightly contact the

wing during this procedure. Ideally, when the

hinges are glued in place, a 1/64” gap or less

will be maintained throughout the lengh of the

aileron to the wing panel hinge line.

Note:

The control surfaces, including the

ailerons, elevators, and rudder, are

prehinged with hinges installed, but the

hinges are not glued in place. It is

imperative that you properly adhere the

hinges in place per the steps that follow

using a high-quality thin CA glue.

✑ 1) Carefully remove the aileron from one

of the wing panels. Note the position of the

hinges.

✑ 2) Remove each hinge from the wing panel

and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of

each hinge. Slide each hinge into the aileron

until the T-pin is snug against the aileron. This

will help ensure an equal amount of hinge is

on either side of the hinge line when the aileron

is mounted to the wing panel.

HINGING THE AILERONS

Note:

The hinge is constructed of a special

material that allows the CA to wick or

penetrate and distribute throughout the

hinge, securely bonding it to the wood

structure of the wing panel and aileron.

✑ 3) Slide the aileron on the wing panel until

there is only a slight gap. The hinge is now

centered on the wing panel and aileron.

Remove the T-pins and snug the aileron

against the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less

should be maintained between the wing panel

and aileron.

✑ 5) Turn the wing panel over and deflect the

aileron in the opposite direction from the

opposite side. Apply thin CA glue to each hinge,

making sure that the CA penetrates into both

the aileron and wing panel.

✑6) Using CA remover/debonder and a paper

towel, remove any excess CA glue that may

have accumulated on the wing or in the aileron

hinge area.

DECATHLON INSTRUCTION MANUAL

✑ 8) After both ailerons are securely hinged,

firmly grasp the wing panel and aileron to

make sure the hinges are securely glued and

cannot be pulled out. Do this by carefully

applying medium pressure, trying to separate

the aileron from the wing panel. Use caution

not to crush the wing structure.

Note: Work the aileron up and down several

times to “work in” the hinges and check

for proper movement.

✑ 7) Repeat this process with the other wing

panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.

✑ 1) Carefully remove the elevator from one

of the horizontal stabilizer panels. Note the

position of the hinges.

✑ 2) Remove each hinge from the horizontal

stabilizer panel and elevator and place a T-pin

in the center of each hinge. Slide each hinge

into the elevator until the T-pin is snug against

the elevator. This will help ensure an equal

amount of hinge is on either side of the hinge

line when the elevator is mounted to the

horizontal stabilizer panel.

HINGING THE ELEVATORS

✑ 3) Slide the elevator on the horizontal

stabilizer panel until there is only a slight gap.

The hinge is now centered on the horizontal

stabilizer panel and elevator. Remove the T-

pins and snug the elevator against the

horizontal stabilizer panel. A gap of 1/64” or

less should be maintained between the

horizontal stabilizer panel and elevator.

✑ 4)Deflect the elevator and completely

saturate each hinge with thin CA glue. The

elevators front surface should lightly contact

the horizontal stabilizer during this procedure.

Ideally, when the hinges are glued in place, a

1/64” gap or less will be maintained throughout

the lengh of the elevator to the horizontal

stabilizer panel hinge line.

Note: The hinge is constructed of a special

material that allows the CA to wick or

penetrate and distribute throughout the

hinge, securely bonding it to the wood

structure of the horizontal stabilizer

panel and elevator.

✑ 5) Turn the horizontal stabilizer panel over

and deflect the elevator in the opposite

direction from the opposite side. Apply thin CA

glue to each hinge, making sure that the CA

penetrates into both the elevator and horizontal

stabilizer panel.

DECATHLON Instruction Manual

✑6) Using CA remover/debonder and a paper

towel, remove any excess CA glue that may

have accumulated on the horizontal stabilizer

or in the elevator hinge area.

✑ 8) After both horizontal stabilizer are

securely hinged, firmly grasp the horizontal

stabilizer panel and elevator to make sure the

hinges are securely glued and cannot be pulled

out. Do this by carefully applying medium

pressure, trying to separate the elevator from

the horizontal stabilizer panel. Use caution not

to crush the horizontal stabilizer structure.

✑ 7) Repeat this process with the other

horizontal stabilizer panel, securely hinging the

elevator in place.

HINGING THE RUDDER

✑ 1) Carefully remove the rudder from one of

the vertical stabilizer panel. Note the position

of the hinges.

✑ 2) Remove each hinge from the vertical

stabilizer panel and rudder and place a T-pin

in the center of each hinge. Slide each hinge

into the rudder until the T-pin is snug against

the rudder. This will help ensure an equal

amount of hinge is on either side of the hinge

line when the rudder is mounted to the vertical

stabilizer.

✑ 3) Slide the rudder on the vertical stabilizer

panel until there is only a slight gap. The hinge

is now centered on the vertical stabilizer panel

and rudder. Remove the T-pins and snug the

rudder against the vertical stabilizer panel. A

gap of 1/64” or less should be maintained

between the vertical stabilizer panel and

rudder.

✑ 4)Deflect the rudder and completely

saturate each hinge with thin CA glue. The

rudder front surface should lightly contact the

vertical stabilizer during this procedure. Ideally,

when the hinges are glued in place, a 1/64”

gap or less will be maintained throughout the

lengh of the rudder to the vertical stabilizer

panel hinge line.

Note: The hinge is constructed of a special

material that allows the CA to wick or

penetrate and distribute throughout the

hinge, securely bonding it to the wood

structure of the vertical stabilizer panel

and rudder.

✑ 5) Turn the vertical stabilizer panel over

and deflect the rudder in the opposite direction

from the opposite side. Apply thin CA glue to

each hinge, making sure that the CA penetrates

into the rudder and vertical stabilizer panel.

✑6) Using CA remover/debonder and a paper

towel, remove any excess CA glue that may

have accumulated on the vertical stabilizer or

in the rudder hinge area.

DECATHLON INSTRUCTION MANUAL

WING ASSEMBLY

NOTE: We highly recommend using 30

minute epoxy as it is stronger and

provides more working time, allowing

the builder to properly align the parts.

Using fast cure epoxy when joining

the wing halves could result in the

glue drying before the wing halves

are aligned properly which may result

in failure of the wing centre section

during flight.

1. Locate the plywood wing dihedral

brace. Using a ruler, locate its centre

and draw a vertical line .

✑ 2. Test fit the dihedral brace into each

wing half. The brace should slide in

easily up to the centreline that you

drew. If not, use 220 grit sandpaper

with a sanding block and sand down

the edges and ends of the brace until

it fits properly.

✑ 4. Insert the dihedral brace into the dihe-

dral box up to the centreline. With

paper towels and rubbing alcohol,

wipe off any excess epoxy that may

have squeezed out of the joint. Next

pour some epoxy into the dihedral

box in the other wing panel. Apply

epoxy to the exposed portion the brace

and to the wing root of both wings.

Carefully slide the two wing halves together

and firmly press them together, allowing the

excess epoxy to run out. There should not be

any gap in the wing halves. Use rubbing

alcohol and a paper tower to clean up any

excess epoxy.

Centre line.

Epoxy.

Wing bottom.

Remove covering.

✑ 3. Remove the brace when satisfied

with its fit in each wing half. Coat both

sides of one half of the dihedral brace

with 30 minute epoxy. Next, pour

some epoxy into the dihedral box in

one wing panel. Make sure you cover

the top and bottom as well as the

sides of the dihedral brace. Use

enough epoxy to fill any graps.

Work the rudder up and down several

times to “work in” the hinges and check

for proper movement.

Note:

DECATHLON Instruction Manual

Use a small weight (Weighted fuel pick-up)

and thread to feed the servo connector

through the wing as shown.

INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS.

1) Remove servo tray from the each

panel of wing. Install servo and servo arm. See

pictures below.

Attach the string to one end of servo lead and

carefully thread it though the wing. Once you

have thread the lead throught the wing, remove

the string and repeat for the other servo lead.

Use masking tape to secure the leads to the

wing and prevent them from falling back into

the wing.

✑2) Install the rubber grommets and brass

collets onto the aileron servo. Test fit the servo

into the aileron servo mount.

Masking tape.

Small weight.

Thread.

Small weight.

Thread.

Servo (2pcs).

2pcs of 12” extension servos.

Because the size of servos differ, you

may need to adjust the size of the

precut opening in the mount. The notch

in the sides of the mount allow the servo

lead to pass through.

Apply masking tape at the wing join to hold the

wing halves together securely. Allow the epoxy

to cure before installing the aileron servos.

DECATHLON INSTRUCTION MANUAL

✑3) Install the aileron servo tray into the

servo mount.

Repeat the procedure for the other wing

half.

INSTALLING THE AILERON LINKAGE

✑1) Using a ruler & pen to draw a straight

line as below picture.

✑ 2) Locate nylon control horns, nylon con-

trol horn backplates and 2 control horns bolts

come with 2 nuts.

2MM x 20MM.

Thread.

Servo electric wire.

Plastic tape.

Servo arm.

Line.

DECATHLON Instruction Manual

✑ 3) Position the aileron horn on the bottom

side of aileron. The clevis attachment holes

should be positioned over the hinge line as

shown below.

✑4) Using a 1.5mm drill bit and the control

horns as a guide, drill the mounting holes

through the aileron halves.

✑ 6) Thread one clevis control horn onto

each aileron torque rod. Thread the clevis on

until they are flush with the ends of the torque

rods.

Control Horn.

Mounting Screws. Mounting Plate.

✑ 5)Mount the control horns by inserting the

bolts through the control horn bases and

aileron halves, then into the mounting

backplates. Thread 2 nuts onto the bolt.

Do not overtighten the nut may crush the

wood.

Clevis.

Aileron Torque rod.

Mark point.

Control horn.

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