Steveflys

I've subscribed to Captain Bob's channel for some time, such a laugh. Hope you enjoy your purchase.

Bob, The Seagull Delta comes with an electric conversion. The access hatch for the battery is enormous. I have to say apart from the non retracting gear it's a good looking plane, very well finished. It comes with a stupid little pilot bust, I sprayed the inside of my canopy metallic silver so didn't need a pilot.

Thanks Dennis, Your observations are in keeping with my thoughts. Fortunately I've got a lot of experience with somewhat larger petrol models, but not of this Delta design. Thought I'd go a bit retro with glow power!!

Has anybody got any experience with the Seagull Delta 40. How did you get on with the c of g. It seems very sensitive when trying to balance it. I'm using the suggested 220 mm from the leasing edge. Any thoughts would be welcome.

You're right the clevises that are supplied are truly dreadful. You need to order M3, they are 3mm. Steve

Have been using KLMS for many years. If all model shops gave their level of service there wouldn't be so many closures, after all it's not rocket science.

I too have both models each fitted with DLE 35ra's. To be quite honest it's horses for courses, the AW XL is certainly faster and flicks quicker, the WW XL is definitely more draggy but presents very well. The real difference is in the landing, the WW needs the power on all the way in whereas the AW you can cut the throttle way out and float in. The WW certainly gets more attention at the patch. I would recommend either model without hesitation. Steve

I used the standard exhaust but I fitted two 'pepper pots' which I obtained from morrisminimotors on ebay. You'll need 2, the red ones are the size you need. They're not cheap but certainly take out the harsh bark. Take care to make sure that they are a tight fit as I lost several on other models. I now tap them in as they are quite a tight fit to start with then drill through the pipe and pot with a 3mm drill and then use a 3mm bolt and nyloc nut to secure, that way it's impossible to fall out.

Ron, I've had quite a few planes over the years powered by Saito 1.80's. They're very powerful and punchy engines but do tend to vibrate a bit, I think this is due to them having quite a high compression rate. They also have to be treated with care when starting by hand for the same reason ...... don't ask how I know! If only you could bite the bullet and fit a DLE 35ra you would be delighted, mine's been flown by a club mate who is an ace pilot and he reckons it's one of the nicest planes he's flown, praise indeed. Steve

Maidened my Wotswot XL on Monday between showers. Only 2 clicks of aileron trim and it was flying straight and level, can't ask for more than that. Has a DLE 35 up front as has my Acrowwot XL. No real issues with assembly other than the tank installation which required industrial amounts of foam and balsa for bracing. Made one small mistake, the four metal tabs that join the top wing I secured with the bolts supplied and I put a washer under each. When the top wing was assembled on the plane there was a gap between the two wing panels. I realised that the washers were thick enough to make the bolt heads just slightly proud of the wing rib and consequently stopped the panels butting up. Easily sorted !! PS: Threw away rubbish clevises.

Take a look at hobbyplastics website. They do a Pilot 28% Decathlon that takes a 30 - 50cc gas engine. I've got their Edge 540 fitted with a DLE 35ra, one of the nicest planes I've owned.

Neil, The maiden flight was a mixed bag, take off needed some elevator to stop nosing over. The C of G seemed ok and circuits were reasonably ok but unfortunately the engine stopped. I kept the undercarriage up and belly landed but unfortunately the prop caught some long grass and nosed over. Due to having 2lbs of weight mounted on the stand-offs the firewall got ripped out, although no other damage was sustained. I haven't repaired it yet as I lost interest in it temporarily. The mods to the retracts worked very well. Just never managed to try them out for landing.

Took the Hurricane to the field on Sunday to run and set up the engine. Whilst pulling the plane to the pit area one of the bolts on the oleo's fell out, the one that stops the bottom half falling out, it's in the slot below the spring. I have now replaced it with a cap head 3mm bolt with plenty of Loctite. I've removed the other side one and done the same. I'd recommend that they all should be checked. Fuelled up and used a starter to draw the fuel through. It fired almost instantly, I let it warm up before stopping it. I then restarted by hand firing after the first flick, it ran beautifully with smooth transition from tick over to full revs. I didn't have to touch a single needle! We made a temporary fix on the oleo so that I could try taxiing around the patch which proved to be no problem. I had left the cowl at home so didn't want to fly it without it. Next post will be after the maiden flight which will probably be next week sometime.

Thanks Dennis for your input. The 120mm was suggested by a club mate who is a prolific warbird builder. I think I'm going to go with your suggestion and start at 130mm, which is the best compromise. I haven't fixed the weights yet so I'll have another at setting the c of g.

Yes, retracts up and plane inverted. The 20mm decision was made as it was approx. 25% of the chord.