Seagull Models CHEROKEE User manual

1
www.seagullmodels.com
ASSEMBLY MANUAL
MS:121
Specifications:
Wingspan-------------------------59.8in(152cm)
Wingarea--------------599.9sq.in(38.7sqdm)
Weight-------------------------------6.4lbs(2.9kg)
Length---------------------------46.4in(117.8cm)
Engine -------------.46-.55cu.in-----2-stroke.
.72 - .82cu.in -----4-stroke.
Radio-----------------4channelswith5servos.
“Graphics and specifications may change without notice”.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
2
INTRODUCTION.
Thank you for choosing the CHEROKEE ARTF by SEAGULL MODELS. The CHEROKEE was
designedwiththeintermediate/advancedsportflyerinmind.Itisa semiscaleairplane whichiseasy
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
thatmostoftheworkhasbeendoneforyoualready.Themotormounthasbeenfittedandthehinges
are pre-installed . Flying the CHEROKEE 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 CHEROKEE . 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.
IfyouareinexperiencedwithbasicR/CflightwestronglyrecommendyoucontactyourR/Csupplier
and join your local R/C Model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs offer a variety of training
proceduresdesigned tohelp thenewpilot onhis waytosuccessful R/Cflight. Theywillalso beable
to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
KIT CONTENTS
1
2
9
3
4
5
5
8
6
7
10
11
12
14
13
15
15
15
15
15
15
16

3
www.seagullmodels.com
KIT CONTENTS.
1 Fuselage
2 Canopy
3 Left wing panel
4 Right wing panel
5 Tail set
6 Aluminum wing tube
7 Scale pilot w / seat
8 Seat (2)
9 Nose gear wire
10 70mm wheels (3)
11 Main landing gear
12 Decal sheet
13 Wheel pants (3)
14 EP conversion pack
15 Hardware bag included
16 Fiberglass cowl
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.
.46-.55 2-stroke engine
.72 -.82 4-stroke engine
4 channel with 5 servos
Glow plug to suit engine
Propeller to suit engine
Protective foam rubber for radio
system
Silicone fuel line
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 C/A glue.
HINGING THE AILERONS .
Note:
1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
2)Remove each hinge fromthewingpanel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the aileron
untiltheT-pin is snug against the aileron.This
will help ensure an equal amount of hinge is
oneither sideofthehingeline whentheaileron
is mounted to the wing panel.
Hinge.
T-pin.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED.
Thick cyanoacrylate glue
30 minute epoxy
5 minute epoxy
Hand or electric drill
Assorted drill bits
Modellingknife
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 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
shouldbemaintainedbetweenthe wing panel
andaileron.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
4
8)Afterbothailerons aresecurely 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.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a
papertowel,remove any excess C/A glue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileronhingearea.
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,makingsurethattheC/A penetratesinto
both the aileron and wing panel.
4)Deflect the aileron and completely
saturate each hinge with thin C/A glue. The
aileronsfront surface shouldlightlycontactthe
wing during this procedure. Ideally, when the
Thehinge is constructed of aspecial
material that allows the C/A to wick
or penetrate and distribute
throughout the hinge, securely
bonding it to the wood structure of
the wing panel and aileron.
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:
Hinge.

5
www.seagullmodels.com
Workthe aileronup anddown several
times to “work in” the hinges and
check for proper movement.
Note:
HINGING THE ELEVATORS.
Glue the elevator hinges in place using the
same techniques used to hinge the ailerons.
HINGING THE RUDDER.
Glue the rudder hinges in place using the
same techniques used to hinge the ailerons.
Hinge.
WING TIP ASSEMBLY.
Removecovering.
Fillepoxy.
Covering.
Wing tip.
1) Attach the plastic wing tip to the wing. Use a
hobby knife to remove the covering at the wing
end.
2) Apply the epoxy to the surface of both wing
tip and wing end. The plastic wing tip is held in
position and install it to the wing end. Please
see pictures shown.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
6
3mm.
INSTALL THE AILERONS CONTROL
HORN.
2 sets.
3x35mm.
Install plastic wing tip to wing end.
Maskingtape.
Sealingiron.
3) Once the epoxy cures and use a covering
iron to seal the covering on the wing and over
the wing tip. 1) Locate the hardware necessary to install
the control horns for the ailerons.
2) Position the control horn on the bottom of
the aileron. You will see pre-drill hole 3mm for
the horn mounting screw on the aileron.
3) Place epoxy into hole. This will harden the
threads and prevent the crews from pulling
loose.
4) Thread a control horn end with aluminum
washer, lock nut until the top edge of the end is
18mm from the vase of the horn as shown.

7
www.seagullmodels.com
Aileron control horn .
ALUMINUMWASHER.
ALUMINUMWASHER.
CONTROLHORN
M3 SCREW.
18mm.
Epoxy.
Wing
Wing
Epoxy.
M3LOCKNUT.
Install the elevator control horn using the
same method as same as the aileron control
horns.
INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN.
2 sets.
AluminumWasher.
CONTROLHORNM3
M3LOCKNUT.
Epoxy.
AluminumWasher.
Horizontal
Stabilizer. Elevator.
3x30mm.
3mm.
18mm.
Epoxy.
Horizontal
Stabilizer. Elevator.
Elevatorcontrolhorn.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
8
Repeatstepsto install the rudder control horn
as same as steps done for ailerons.
INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN.
1 sets.
18mm.
Epoxy.
Rudder.
Rudder.
Aluminum Washer.
CONTROLHORN
M3 SCREW.
Aluminum Washer.
3x30mm.
Epoxy.
M3LOCKNUT.
Rudder control horn.
3mm.
5.5mm.
1) Locate the items necessary to install the
engine mount included with your model. .
ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION.
4x30mm.
2) Usefour 4x30mm head boltsandfour 4mm
washers to attach the engine mount rails to
thefirewall.Tighten the screws . Make sureto
use threadlock on the screws to help prevent
them from vibrating loose.

9
www.seagullmodels.com
4) Test fit the stopper assembly into the
tank. It may be necessary to remove some of
the flashing around the tank opening using a
modeling knife. If flashing is present, make
sure none falls into the tank.
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.
INSTALLING THE STOPPER ASSEMBLY.
2) Usingamodelingknife,cutonelength
ofsiliconfuel line. Connect one end of theline
totheweightedfuelpickup andtheotherend
to the nylon pick up tube.
3) Carefully bend the second nylon tube
up at a 45º angle. This tube is the vent tube.
Venttube. Fuel pick up tube.
Fuel fill tube.
A
5) With the stopper assembly in place,
the weighted pick-up should rest away from
therear of the tank and move freely inside the
tank. The top of the vent tube should rest just
below the top of the tank. It should not touch
the top of the tank.
6) When satisfied with the alignment of
the stopper assembly tighten the 3 x 20mm
machine screw until the rubber stopper ex-
pands and seals the tank opening. Do not
overtighten the assembly as this could cause
the tank to split.
FUEL TANK INSTALLATION.
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
thetankisinstalledinsidethefuselage,it may
be difficult to determine which is which.
 7) Slide the fuel tank into the fuselage.
Guide the lines from the tank through the hole
in the firewall.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
10
Blow through one of the lines to en-
sure the fuel lines have not become kinked
inside the fuel tank compartment. Air
should flow through easily.
venttube.
Fuelpick-uptube.
Fuelfilltube.
INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS.
Throttle servo.
Elevator servo.
Rudder servo.
1) Installtherubbergrommetsandbrass
colletsontothethrottle servo. Test fit theservo
into the aileron servo mount.
 2) Secure the servos with the screws pro-
vided with your radio system.
Because the size of servos differ, you
mayneed toadjustthe sizeoftheprecut open-
ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of the
mount allow the servo lead to pass through.
Fueltank.
C/Aglue.
Fueltank.
Balsa.
Plywood template.
Plywood template.
8) Use plywood template to hold in place the
fuel tank with C/A glue to secure the fuel tank
inside the fuselage.
9) Use balsa stick to help prevent moveable
from transferring to the fuel tank.
10) Connect the lines from the tank to the
engine and muffler. The vent line will connect
to the muffler and the line from the clunk to the
carburetor.

11
www.seagullmodels.com
THROTTLE SERVO ARM INSTALLATION.
Installadjustableservoconnectorinthe servo
arm as same as picture below:
AdjustableServo
connector.
Servoarm.
Loctite secure.
Nut.
2) Use a pin drill and 2mm drill bit to drill a
small indentation in the mount for the engine
mounting screw.
3) Use a drill to drill the four holes in the engine
mount rails.
4) On the fire wall has the location for the
throttle pusshrod tube (pre-drill).
2mmdiameter.
110mm.
MOUNTING THE ENGINE.
 1) Positiontheenginewiththedrive washer
(110mm) forward of the firewall as shown.
INSTALLING THE SWITCH.
3/32” Hole.
Trim and cut.
Elevator servo arm.
Throttle servo arm. Rudder servo arm.
Switch.
Installtheswitch into the precut hole in the
side, in the fuselage.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
12
Pushrodwire.
Machinescrew M3x25mm.
Trim and cut. LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION:
1
2
3
65
4
M3x10mm.
Linkage.
.
7
7) Slide the throttle pushrod wire into the
tube. Position the engine between the
mounts. Use four 3x25mm machine screws to
secure the engine to the mount as shown.
8) Reinstall the servo horn by sliding the
connector over the pushrod wire. Center the
throttle stick and trim and install the servo horn
perpendicular to the servo center line.
9) Move the throttle stick to the closed position
and move the carburetor to closed. Use a 2.5mm
hex wrench to tighten the screw that secures
the throttle pushrod wire. Make sure to use
threadlock on the screw so it does not vibrate
loose.
A. NOSE GEAR:
1) Locate the items necessary to attach the
nose landing gear that are included with your
model.
5) Slide the pushrod tube in the firewall and
guide it through the fuel tank mount. Use
medium C/A to glue the tube to the firewall
and the fuel tank mount.
6) Connect the Z-bend in the 450mm throttle
pushrod to the outer hole of the carburetor
arm.
Pushrodtubehole.

13
www.seagullmodels.com
1
4.6mm.
2) While fitting the axle end of the nose landing
gear leg into nose whell pants, slide wheel collar
onto axle followed by wheel and then another
wheel collar. Reinstall the nose wheel pant,
wheel collars and wheel on the axle end of the
nose landing gear. Be sure that the wheel rotate
freely on the axle.
M2clevis.
7
5) Fit the forward pushrod wire on the nylon
steering arm. Secure the pushrod onto the
servo arm using M2 clevis. Rotate the nose gear
wire so that the nose wheel is pointing straight.
3
2
2mm.
6
3) Place a landing gear strap over gear leg
and mark the locations for the screw holes. Drill
holes at your marks, being sure not to drill into
the wheel. Install a trap onto nose wheel pant
using two seft-tapping screws. Reinforce the
holes with thin C/A.
4) Fit the steering arm between the nylon
steering block. Insert the nose gear wire up
through the steering block and through the
steering arm as shown. Adjust the nose gear
steering arm until the arm is parallel with the
firewall.
Wheelcollars.
5
7
Adjustable
connector.
2
6
43
1
M3x10mm.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
14
Trim and cut.
 3) Installthemufflerandmufflerextension
onto the engine and make the cutout in the
cowl for muffler clearance. Connect the fuel
and pressure lines to the carburetor, muffler
and fuel filler valve. Secure the cowl to fuse-
lage using the 3x10mm screws.
Machine screw M3x10mm.
Needlevalve.
2) While keeping the back edge of the
cowl flush with the marks, align the front of
thecowl withthecrankshaft oftheengine. The
front of the cowl should be positioned so the
crankshaft is in nearly the middle of the cowl
opening.Usethespinner backplateasaguide.
Hold the cowl firmly in place using pieces of
masking tape.
Becauseofthesize of the cowl, it may be nec-
essarytouseaneedlevalveextensionforthe
highspeedneedle valve. Make this out ofsuf-
ficient length 1.5mm wire and install it into the
end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
placebytighteningthesetscrewinthesideof
the needle valve.
Trim and cut.
1) Slide the fiberglass cowl over the en-
gineand line up thebackedgeofthe cowl with
themarksyoumadeonthefuselagethentrim
and cut as shown.
COWLING.

15
www.seagullmodels.com
ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION
- Model size: .35-.45 size models
- Motor: 35mm 830 rev per volt
- Propeller: 10x7
- ESC: 50A
- Lipo Batteries: 4cell 3200mA
1) Locate the items neccessary to install the
electric power conversion included with your
model.
2) Attach the electric motor box to the firewall
suitable with the cross lines drawn on the electric
motor box and firewall. Using epoxy and balsa
stick to secure the motor box to the
firewall.Please see pictures below.
Epoxy.
Balsa stick.
Epoxy.
3) Attach the motor to the front of the electric
motor box using four 4mm blind nut, four
M4x15mm hex head bolts to secure the motor.
Please see picture shown.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
16
M3 x 15mm.
Battery.
Speed control.
Battery.
Blind nut.
M4 x 15mm.
Electric motor.
Epoxy.
110mm.
5.2mm.
5.2mm.
4) Locate the plywood battery tray to the
fuselage. Tighten the screws using machine
screws M3x15mm to secure the tray in position.
5) Attach the speed control to the side of the
motor box using two-sided tape and tie wraps.
Connect the appropriate leads from the speed
control to the motor. Make sure the leads will
not interfere with the operation of the motor.

17
www.seagullmodels.com
Cut.
6) Use a hobby knife and a covering iron to
open the cooling air exit in the bottom of the
fuselage. Cutting the covering inside the
opening and ironing the covering into the
fuselage will leave a clean look to the bottom of
the fuselage as shown.
String.
Small weight.
1) Usingasmallweight(Weightedfuel pick-up
workswell)andstring, feed thestring through
the wing as indicated.
2) Place the servo between the mounting
blocksandspaceitfromthehatch.Useapencil
to mark the mounting hole locations on the
blocks.
3) Use drill bit in a pin vise to drill the mouting
holes in the blocks.
Servos. Smallweight.
Thread.
INSTALLING THEAILERON.
Because the size of servos differ, you
mayneedtoadjust thesize oftheprecutopen-
ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of
themountallowtheservoleadtopassthrough.
INSTALLING THE SPINNER.
Install the spinner backplate, propeller and
spinner cone.
The propeller should not touch any part
of the spinner cone. If it does, use a
sharp modeling knife and carefully trim away
the spinner cone where the propeller comes
in contact with it.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
18
8) A string has been provided in the wing to
pull the aileron lead through to the wing root.
Remove the string from the wing at the servo
location and use the tape to attach it to the
servoextensionlead. Pull the lead through the
wing and remove the string.
4) Apply 2-3 drops of thin C/A to each of the
mounting holes.Allow the C/Ato cure without
using accelerator.
6) Secure the servo to the aileron hatch using
Phillips screwdriver and the screws provided
with the servo.
5) Use dental floss to secure the connection
so they cannot become unplugged.
7) Apply 1-2 drops of thin C/A to each of the
mounting tabs. Allow the C/A to cure without
using accelerator.

19
www.seagullmodels.com
1) Mark the control wire where it crosses the
servo arm hole.
Bend at the mark.
AILERONPUSHRODHORNINSTALLATION
9) Set the aileron hatch in place and use a
Phillips screw driver to install it with four wood
screws.
Mark.
Pen.
Snapkeeper.
Servoarm.
3) Connect the linkage as shown and secure
the control wire with a snap keeper.
8mm Snapkeeper.
2)Makea90-degreebend at the mark and cut
offthe excess wireleaving8mm pastthebend.
M2 lock nut. Metalclevis.
Wing.
Aileron. M2lock.

CHEROKEE Instruction Manual.
20
2mm.
1
2
1
Pencil.
Cut.
MAIN LANDING GEAR
INSTALLATION.
INSTALLING THE MAIN GEAR WIRES.
4
7
1
2
6
3
5M3x10mm.
2) Remove the covering from over two main
landing gear mounting slots located in the
bottom of the wing.
3) Fit the main landing gear legs into the slots
in the underside of the wing panels. Position
two nylon landing gear straps over each landing
gearleg asshown. Markthe locationof thescrew
holes onto the wing and drill holes at your marks
using a drill bit. Secure the landing gear legs to
the wing panels using the nylon landing gear
straps and self-tapping screws as shown.
1) Locate the items necessary to attach the
main landing gear.
Repeat the procedure for the other aileron servo.