MS: 86 ASSEMBLY MANUAL “Graphics and specfications may change without notice”. Specifications Wingspan-------------------------------------- 70.9 in------------------------------ 180cm. Wing area-------------------------------------- 837 sq.in------------------------54 sq.dm. Approximate flying weight------------------7.5-8.8 lbs---------------------3.4-4.0kg. Length------------------------------------------ 47.6in------------------------------- 121cm. Recommended engine size-------------- .75cu.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. INTRODUCTION. Thank you for choosing the DECATHLON ARTF by SEAGULL MODELS. The DECATHLON was designed with the intermediate/advanced sport scale 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 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.
www.seagullmodels.com NOTE: To avoid scratching your new aeroplane 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 assembly as the DECATHLON is made from natural materials and minor adjustments may have to be made.
DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. 5) Turn the wing panel over and deflect the aileron in the opposite direction from the opposite side. Apply thin C/A glue to each hinge, making sure that the C/A penetrates into both the aileron and wing panel. Instruction Manual Installing the turnbuckle for the wing as same as pictures below. washer. Turnbuckle. 6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a paper towel, remove any excess C/A glue that may have accumulated on the wing or in the aileron hinge area.
www.seagullmodels.com Installing the turnbuckle for tail strut of horizontal fin as same as pictures below. CONTRONL HORN M3 SCREW. Tail fin bottom. Epoxy. Turnbuckle. ALUMINUM WASHER. Wing Horizontal fin bottom. M3 LOCK NUT. ALUMINUM WASHER. HINGING THE RUDDER. Glue the rudder hinges in place using the same tectniques used to hinge the ailerons. Wing 16mm . Wing. Epoxy. Aileron. Hinge. AILERON CONTROL HORN Aileron control horn: See pictures below. ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN. 2 sets.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. CONTRONL HORN M3 SCREW. CONTRONL HORN M3 ALUMINUM WASHER. Aluminum Washer. EPOXY. Epoxy. FUSELAGE. Horizontal Stabilizer. Rudder. ALUMINUM WASHER. M3 LOCK NUT. M3 LOCK NUT. Aluminum Washer. EPOXY. Epoxy. Rudder. FUSELAGE. Horizontal Stabilizer. 16mm. 16mm. Elevator control horn. Rudder control horn. RUDDER CONTROL HORN. ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION. Rudder control horn: Using the same tectniques used aileron control horn. See picture below.
www.seagullmodels.com Mark and drill 4 holes for engine mount. Insert 4 blind nuts to firewall. Thread locker glue. Vent tube. Fuel pick up tube. Fuel fill tube. INSTALLING THE STOPPER ASSEMBLY. 1) Using a modeling knife, carefully cut off the rear portion of one of the 3 nylon tubes leaving 1/2” protruding from the rear of the stopper. This will be the fuel pick up tube. 2) Using a modeling knife, cut one length of silicon fuel line.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. FUEL TANK INSTALLATION. Plastic tape. You should mark which tube is the vent and which is the fuel pickup when you attach fuel tubing to the tubes in the stopper. Once the tank is installed inside the fuselage, it may be difficult to determine which is which. 2) Follow diagram below for wheel pant installation: 5mm. Fuel tank. 12mm. C/A glue attched. Balsa Block. wheel collar. Vent tube. Washer. Axle. M3. wheel. wheel. Fuel fill tube. nut. Axle.
www.seagullmodels.com Landing Gear. wheel Pant. M4 x 10mm. Alumium Spar. Alumium Spar. Locker glue. 3) A drop of C/A glue on the wheel collar screws will help keep them from coming lose during operation. Repeat the process for the other wheel. INSTALLING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. 1) The blind nuts for securing the landing gear are already mounted inside the fuselage. 2) Using the hardware provided, mount the main landing gear to the fuselage. Alumium Spar. M4 x 10mm. MOUNTING THE ENGINE.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. 4) Bolt the engine to the engine mount using the four machine screws. Double check that all the screws are tight before proceeding. 4.2 mm diameter. Pushrod wire. COWLING INSTALLATION. Trim and cut. Trim and cut. Machine Screw 4x30mm. Trim and cut. 1.5mm were (needle valve). Pushrod wire. Machine Screw 3x10mm.
www.seagullmodels.com Switch. INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVO. 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. 1) Install the rubber grommets and brass collets onto the throttle servo. Test fit the servo into the aileron servo mount. 2) Secure the servos with the screws provided with your radio system. Elevator servo. Rudder servo. Throttle servo. Elevator servo.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. Elevator servo. Rudder servo. Elevator servo. Throttle servo arm. INSTALLING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. Draw center line. When cutting through the covering to remove it, cut with only enough pressure to only cut through the covering itself. Cutting into the balsa structure may weaken it. Remove covering. INSTALLING THE VERTICAL STABI- Hinge slot. Epoxy. Epoxy. Hinge slot. Remove covering. Remove covering.
www.seagullmodels.com Epoxy. Hinge. C/A glue. When cutting through the covering to remove it, cut with only enough pressure to only cut through the covering itself. Cutting into the balsa structure may weaken it. Epoxy. Put the vertical stabilizer into the in the top of the horizontal fin. The bottom edge of the stabilizer should also be firmly pushed against the top of the horizontal stabilizer. Horizontal Stabilizer. 90º INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS. Servos. Small weight. Vertical Stabilizer.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. Wing rib. Wing. Small Weight. Small Weight. String. String. Attach the string to the servo lead and carefully thread it though the wing. Wing. Aileron. INSTALLATION THE PUSHROD. 75mm. M2 clevis. M2 lock nut. 110mm. Aileron. Aileron. ELEVATOR - RUDDER PUSHROD INSTALLATION. Wing. Rudder control horn. M2 lock nut. Aileron. Repeat the procedure for the other wing. 14 Elevator control horn.
www.seagullmodels.com 1) Elevator and rudder pushrods assembly follow pictures below. M2 clevis. M2 Lock nut. Attach to elevator - rudder control horn. Attach to servo arm in fuselage. Throttle. Elevator. Rudder. Control horn. Elevator Pushrod. M2 lock nut. Elevator pushrod. Metal clevis. Rudder pushrod. 2) Install servos arm to servos. Notice the position of the servo arms on the servos. See picture below. Rudder pushrod.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. Fuselage bottom. Elevator. Rudder. 70mm. Throttle. Elevator. Bottom. INSTALLING TAIL STRUT SUPPORT The tail strut system assembly follow pictures below. 3x10mm. 3x10cm(2pcs). Alumium trap. Alumium trap. Bottom. 70mm. 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 Snap keeper. 175mm. 16 7mm.
www.seagullmodels.com 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 MOUNTING THE TAIL WHEEL. See pictures below. 1 M2 x 20mm. M3 x 12mm.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. Wing tube. C/A glue. INSTALLING THE BATTERY-RECEIVER. Insert two wing panels as pictures below. 1) Plug the six servo leads and the switch lead into the receiver. Plug the battery pack lead into the switch also. 2) Wrap the receiver and battery pack in the protective foam rubber to protect them from vibration. 3) Route the antenna in the antenna tube inside the fuselage and secure it to the bottom of fuselage using a plastic tape. Receiver. Battery.
www.seagullmodels.com INSTALLING THE WING STRUT. Parts requirement.See pictures below. 5mm diameter pilot horn. M3 x 15mm. M3x50mm. Turnbuckle. M3x50mm. 60mm. 85mm.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. 1 2 3 M3x15mm. 1 3 BALANCING. 1) It is critical that your airplane be balanced correctly. Improper balance will cause your plane to lose control and crash. The center of gravity is locate 8.7cm back from the leading edge of the wing, measured at wing tip.
www.seagullmodels.com 2) If the nose of the plane falls, the plane is nose heavy. To correct this first move the battery pack further back in the fuselage. If this is not possible or does not correct it, stick small amounts of lead weight on the fuselage sides under the horizontal stabilizer. If the tail of the plane falls, the plane is tail heavy. To correct this, move the battery and receiver forward orif this is not possible, stick weight onto the firewall.
Instruction Manual DECATHLON _ CODE SEA 86. AEROBATIC FLYING FLIGHT PREPARATION. PREFLIGHT CHECK. A) Check the operation and direction of the elevator, rudder, ailerons and throttle. 1) Completely charge your transmitter and receiver batteries before your first day of flying. 2) Check every bolt and every glue joint in the DECATHLON to ensure that everything is tight and well bonded. B) Plug in your radio system per the manufacturer's instructions and turn everything on. C) Check the elevator first.
