Seagull Models Mini Sparrowhawk EP User manual

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ASSEMBLY MANUAL
MS: X68
Specifications:
Wingspan---------------------------35.4in(90cm).
Wingarea--------------235.6sq.in(15.2sqdm).
Weight----------------1.4-1.9lbs(0.63-0.85kg).
Length-----------------------------29.6in(75.2cm).
Speedcontrol(ESC)------------15A-30Aamp.
Motor -------------------------------------- 450-480.
Radio-----------4channelswith4miniservos.
Battery3-cell 1800mAhto 2100mAhLi-Po.
10 x 5E Electric Prop.
“Graphics and specifications may change without notice”.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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INTRODUCTION.
Thankyouforchoosingthe MINISPARROWHAWKEP ARTFbySEAGULLMODELSCOMPANY
LTD. The MINI SPARROWHAWK EP 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
conventionallybuiltusingbalsa,plywoodtomakeitstrongerthantheaverageARTF,yetthedesign
allows the aeroplane to be kept light. You will find that most of the work has been done for you
already.The motor mount has been fitted and the hinges are pre-installed . Flying the MINI
SPARROWHAWK EP 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 MINI SPARROWHAWK EP . 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 to helpthenewpiloton hiswaytosuccessfulR/C flight. Theywillalsobeable
to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
KIT CONTENTS
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KIT CONTENTS.
1 Fuselage
2 Canopy
3 Left wing panel
4 Right wing panel
5 Tail set
6 Carbon fiber wing tube
7 Pilot
8 Fiberglass cowl
9 Hardware bag included.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.
Motor 450-480
4 channel radio with 4 mini servos
Propeller to suit engine
Protective foam rubber for radio
system
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)Removeeachhingefromthewingpanel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the aileron
untiltheT-pin issnug againstthe aileron.This
will help ensure an equal amount of hinge is
oneither side ofthehingelinewhenthe aileron
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
shouldbemaintained between the wingpanel
andaileron.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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8)Afterbothailerons 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.
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 gluethat
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileronhinge area.
5)Turnthewing panel over and deflectthe
aileron in the opposite direction from the
opposite side. Apply thin C/A glue to each
hinge,making surethattheC/A penetratesinto
both the aileron and wing panel.
Workthe aileron upand down several
times to “work in” the hinges and
check for proper movement.
Note:
HINGING THE ELEVATORS.
4) Deflect the aileron and completely
saturate each hinge with thin C/A glue. The
aileronsfrontsurfaceshouldlightlycontactthe
wing during this procedure. Ideally, when
thehinges 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.
Hinge.
Thehinge is constructed of a special
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.
Note:
2) Remove each hinge from the horizontal
stabilizerpaneland elevator and placeaT-pin
in the center of each hinge. Slide each hinge
intothe elevator until theT-pinis 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.
1) Carefully remove the elevator from one
of the horizontal stabilizer panels. Note the
position of the hinges.

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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.
INSTALL THE AILERONS CONTROL
HORN.
Hinge.
Epoxy.
Aileron control horn .
INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN.
Applyepoxyglue.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS.
Elevator servo.
1) Installthe rubber grommets andbrass
colletsonto thethrottleservo. Testfit the servo
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
mayneedto adjust the size oftheprecutopen-
ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of the
mount allow the servo lead to pass through.
INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN.
Rudder control horn.
Elevatorcontrolhorn.
Epoxy.
Cut.
Epoxy.

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Rudder servo.
Servos.
Smallweight. Thread.
INSTALLINGTHEAILERON.
2) Place the servo between the mounting
blocksand spaceitfromthehatch.Usea pencil
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.
1) Usingasmall weight (Weightedfuel pick-up
workswell) andstring, feedthe string through
the wing as indicated.
Because the size of servos differ, you
mayneed toadjustthesize oftheprecutopen-
ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of
themountallowtheservolead topassthrough.
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.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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ELECTRIC POWER INSTALLATION.
1) Locate the items neccessary to install the
electric power installation.
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.
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.
9) Set the aileron hatch in place and use a
Phillips screw driver to install it with four wood
screws.
Aileronservo.
15A-30A.
450-480.

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Battery.
M3 x 15mm. Electric motor.
110mm.
4mm.
4) Locate the plywood battery tray to the
fuselage.
3) Attach the motor to the front of the electric
motor box using four 3mm blind nut, four
M3x15mm hex head bolts to secure the motor.
Please see picture shown.
Battery.
Epoxy. Balsa.
Epoxy.
1800mAh-2100mAh.
Speed control.
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.
1) Slide the fiberglass cowl over the mo-
tor and line up the back edge of the cowl with
themarks you made onthe fuselage thentrim
and cut as shown.
COWLING.
15A-30A.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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INSTALLING THE HORIZONTALSTABILIZER.
1) Using a ruler and a pen, locate the
centerlineofthehorizontalstabilizer,atthetrail-
ing edge, and place a mark. Use a triangle
and extend this mark, from back to front,
across the top of the stabilizer. Also extend
thismark down the backof thetrailing edge of
the stabilizer.
Becauseofthe size of the cowl,it may be nec-
essaryto use a needlevalve extensionfor the
highspeedneedlevalve. Makethis out of suf-
ficient length 1mm wire and install it into the
end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
placeby tightening the setscrew in theside of
the needle valve.
Trim and cut.
Machine screw M2x6mm.
2) While keeping the back edge of the
cowl flush with the marks, align the front of
thecowl with thecrankshaft of themotor. The
front of the cowl should be positioned so the
crankshaft is in nearly the middle of the cowl
opening.Use thespinnerbackplateasa guide.
Hold the cowl firmly in place using pieces of
masking tape.
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.

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Pen.
Cut.
 3) Slide the stabilizer into place in the pre-
cut slot in the rear of the fuselage. The stabi-
lizer should be pushed firmly against the front
of the slot.
 4) With the stabilizer held firmly in place,
use a pen and draw lines onto the stabilizer
where it and the fuselage sides meet. Do this
on both the right and left sides and top and
bottom of the stabilizer.
2)Using amodelingknife,carefullyremove
thecoveringatmounting slot of horizontal sta-
bilizer ( both side of fuselage).
Whencuttingthrough the covering tore-
move it, cut with only enough pressure
toonly cut throughthe coveringitself. Cutting
into the balsa structure may weaken it.
Trimand cut.
 5) Removethe stabilizer. Usingthelines
youjust drew as aguide, carefullyremove the
covering from between them using a model-
ingknife.
 6) Using a modeling knife, carefully re-
move the covering that overlaps the stabilizer
mounting platform sides in the fuselage. Re-
move the covering from both the top and the
bottom of the platform sides.
Epoxy.
 7) When you are sure that everything is
aligned correctly, mix up a generous amount
of 30 Minute Epoxy. Apply a thin layer to the
topandbottom of the stabilizermounting area
and to the stabilizer mounting platform sides
in the fuselage. Slide the stabilizer in place
and realign. Double check all of your mea-
surementsoncemorebeforethe epoxy cures.
Holdthe stabilizerinplacewithT-pinsormask-
ing tape and remove any excess epoxy using
a paper towel and rubbing alcohol.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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5) Slide the vertical stabilizer back in
place. Using a triangle, check to ensure that
thevertical stabilizer is aligned90º to thehori-
zontal stabilizer.
90º Vertical
Stabilizer.
Horizontal
Stabilizer.
When cutting through the covering to re-
moveit, cut withonly enoughpressure to
only cut through the covering itself. Cutting
into the balsa structure may weaken it.
6) When you are sure that everything is
alignedcorrectly,mixup a generous amountof
Flash30MinuteEpoxy. Applyathinlayertothe
mounting slot in the top of the fuselage and to
the sides and bottom of the vertical stabilizer
mountingarea. Applyepoxy to the bottom and
top edges of the filler block and to the lower
hinge also. Set the stabilizer in place and re-
align. Double check all of your measurements
once more before the epoxy cures. Hold the
stabilizer in place with T-pins or masking tape
and remove any excess epoxy using a paper
towel and rubbing alcohol. Allow the epoxy to
fully cure before proceeding.
INSTALLING VERITICAL FIN.
1) Using a modeling knife, remove the
covering from over the precut hinge slot cut
into the lower rear portion of the fuselage.
2) Slidethe vertical stabilizer intothe slot
in the top of the fuselage. The rear edge of
thestabilizer shouldbeflushwith therearedge
of the fuselage and the lower rudder hinge
should engage the precut hinge slot in the
lowerfuselage. The bottom edge ofthe stabi-
lizer should also be firmly pushed against the
top of the horizontal stabilizer.
3) While holding the vertical stabilizer
firmly in place, use a pen and draw a line on
each side of the vertical stabilizer where it
meets the top of the fuselage.
Pen.
Cut.
4) Remove the stabilizer. Using a mod-
eling knife, remove the covering from below
the lines you drew. C/Aglue. Hinge.
Cut.

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ELEVATOR - RUDDER PUSHROD HORN
INSTALLATION.
Rudder control horn.
 1) Install the elevator control horn using
the same method as with the aileron control
horns.
 2) Position the elevator control horn on
the both side of elevator.
Elevator control horn.
Wing.
Aileron.
AILERONPUSHRODHORNINSTALLATION

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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M2x12mm.
1
15
4) Slide a wheel onto the axle. Prepare a
second wheel collar with a machine screw and
threadlock then install it on the axle to retain
the wheel.
3
1mm.
1
2
1
Pen.
Cut.
INSTALLING WIRE LANDING GEAR.
4
12
3
5
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 as shown.Mark the location ofthe screw
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.
2

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5
Epoxy.
1
4
Screw.
M2x12mm.
3.5mm.
Repeat the procedure for other landing
gear.
5) Installation wheel cover as shown:

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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INSTALLING THE BATTERY-RECEIVER.
Receiver.
Battery.
1)Plugthe five servo leadsand 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) Routetheantennain the antennatube
inside the fuselage and secure it to the bot-
tom of fuselage using a plastic tape.
Tie wrap.
ATTACHMENT WING-FUSELAGE.
APPLY THE DECALS.
1) If all the decals are precut and ready to
stick.Pleasebecertainthemodel is clean and
free from oily fingerprints and dust. Position
decal on the model where desired, using the
photos on the box and aid in their location.
2) If all the decals are not precut, please use
scissors or a sharp hobby knife to cut the
decals from the sheet. Please be certain the
model is clean and free from oily fingerprints
and dust. Position decal on the model where
desired, using the photos on the box and aid
in their location.
INSTALLATION PILOT FIGURE.
1.
3.
2.
C/Aglue.
C/Aglue.
1.
3.
2.
3. 1.

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Wing bolt.
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 LOCATED
55MM BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE
OF THE WINGAT THE WING ROOT.
 3) Turn the airplane upside down. Place
yourfingersonthe masking tape and carefully
lift the plane .
 2)Mount thewing to thefuselage. Usinga
couple of pieces of masking tape, place them
on the top side of the wing 55mm back from
the leading edge of the wing at the wing root.
Accurately mark the balance point on the top
of the wing on both sides of the fuselage. The
balance point is located 55mm back from the
leadingedge of thewing atthe wingroot. This
is the balance point at which your model
should balance for your first flights. Later, you
maywishtoexperiment by shifting the balance
up to 10mm forward or back to change the
flying characteristics. Moving the balance
forward may improve the smoothness and
arrow- like tracking, but it may then require
more speed for take off and make it more
difficult to slow down for landing. Moving the
balance aft makes the model more agile with
alighterandsnappier”feel”. Inanycase,please
start at the location we recommend .
Withthe wing attachedtothefuselage,all parts
ofthemodelinstalled(readyto fly), and empty
fuel tanks, hold the model at the
markedbalancepoint with the stabilizerlevel..
CONTROL THROWS.
Ailerons: 10mm - 12mm up.
10mm - 12mm down.
Elevator: 10mm - 12mm up.
10mm - 12mm down.
Rudder: 15mm - 20mm left.
15mm - 20mm right.
55mm.
Lift the model. If the tail drops when you lift,
the model is “tail heavy” and you must add
weight* to the nose. If the nose drops, it is
“noseheavy”and you must addweight* to the
tail to balance.
*Ifpossible, first attempt tobalance themodel
bychangingthe position of thereceiverbattery
and receiver. If you are unable to obtain good
balance by doing so, then it will be necessary
toadd weight tothe noseor tailto achievethe
proper balance point.

MINI SPARROWHAWK EP Instruction Manual.
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7) Checkthereceiver antenna. It should
be fully extended and not coiled up inside the
fuselage.
5) If your radio transmitter is equipped
withdualrate switches double checkthat they
are on the low rate setting for your first few
flights.
6) Check to ensure the control surfaces
are moving the proper amount for both low
and high rate settings.
8) Properlybalancethe propeller. An out
of balance propeller will cause excessive vi-
bration which could lead to engine and/or air-
frame failure.
3) Double check the balance of the air-
plane. Do this with the fuel tank empty.
2) Check every bolt and every glue joint
in the MINI SPARROWHAWK EP to ensure
that
everything is tight and well bonded.
1) Completely charge your transmitter
and receiver batteries before your first day of
flying.
PREFLIGHT CHECK.
We wish you many safe and enjoyable
flights with your MINI SPARROWHAWK EP.
4) Checkthecontrol surfaces. All should
move in the correct direction and not bind in
any way.
D) Check the throttle. Movingthe throttle
stick forward should open the carburetor bar-
rel. Ifit does not, fliptheservoreversingswitch
on your transmitter to change the direction.
E) From behind the airplane, look at the
aileronontherightwinghalf. Movetheaileron
stickto the right. Therightaileronshouldmove
upandtheother aileron should move down. If
it does not, flip the servo reversing switch on
your transmitter to change the direction.
C) Check the rudder. Looking from be-
hindthe airplane, movetherudder stick tothe
right. Theruddershouldmoveto the right. If it
does not, flip the servo reversing switch on
your transmitter to change the direction.
B) Check the elevator first. Pull back on
theelevator stick. The elevator halvesshould
move up. If it they do not, flip the servo re-
versing switch on your transmitter to change
the direction.
Check the operation and direction of the
elevator, rudder, ailerons and throttle.
FLIGHT PREPARATION.
A) Plug in your radio system per the
manufacturer's instructions and turn every-
thingon.