Seagull Models Piper Comanche MS:142 User manual

“Graphics and specifications may change without notice”.
MS:142
ASSEMBLY MANUAL
Specifications:
Wingspan------------------------------72in(183cm).
Wingarea-----------------768.8sq.in(49.6sqdm).
Weight------------------------8.8-9.7lbs(4.0-4.4kg).
Length------------------------------46.3in(117.7cm).
Engine ------------------0.61-0.75cu.in-----2-stroke.
0.91-1.00cu.in -----4-stroke.
Radio-------------------6channelswith7 servos.
Electricconversion:optional
Retractslandinggear(excluded)-optional.

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
2
INTRODUCTION.
Thank you for choosing the PIPER COMANCHE ARTF by SEAGULL MODELS COMPANY LTD.
The PIPER COMANCHE 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
usingbalsa,plywoodtomakeitstrongerthantheaverageARTF,yetthedesignallowstheaeroplane
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 PIPER COMANCHE 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 PIPER COMANCHE . 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 tohelpthe newpiloton hiswayto successfulR/Cflight. Theywillalso beable
to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
KIT CONTENTS
1
2
11
2
3
7
11
10
4
3
5
6
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ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.
0.61 - 0.75 2-stroke.
0.91 - 1.00 4-stroke.
Computer radio with 7 servos.
Glow plug to suit engine.
Propeller to suit engine.
Protective foam rubber for radio
system.
Siliconefuel line.
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.
SEA14201 Fuselage
SEA14202 Wing Set
SEA14203 Tail Set
SEA14204 Cowling
SEA14205 Main Gear
SEA14206 Nose Gear
SEA14207 Canopy
SEA14208 Decals
SEA14209 Pushrod Set
SEA14210 Wing Tube
SEA14211 Hardware Set
KIT CONTEN.TS
Hinge.
T-pin.
HINGING THE FLAP .
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.
Note:
1) Carefully remove the flap from one of
thewingpanels.Notethepositionofthehinges.
2)Removeeach hinge from thewingpanel
andflapand place aT-pininthe center ofeach
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 flap is
mounted to the wing panel.
3) Slide the flap on the wing panel until
there is only a slight gap. The hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and flap. Remove
the T-pins and snug the flap against the wing
panel. A gap of 1/64” or less should be
maintained between the wing panel and flap.

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
4
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.
2)Removeeach hinge from thewingpanel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the aileron
untiltheT-pinis snug against theaileron.This
will help ensure an equal amount of hinge is
oneither sideofthe hingelinewhenthe aileron
is mounted to the wing panel.
Note:
1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
HINGING THE AILERON .
Hinge.
C/Aglue.
4)Deflect the flap and completely saturate
eachhingewiththinC/Aglue.Theaileronsfront
surface should lightly contact the wing during
this procedure. Ideally, when the
Thehinge is constructedof 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 flap.
hinges are glued in place, a 1/64” gap or less
will be maintained throughout the lengh of the
flap to the wing panel hinge line.
Note:
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the flap in place.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a
papertowel,removeanyexcessC/Aglue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
flap hinge area.
5)Turnthe wing panel over and deflect the
flapintheoppositedirection from the opposite
side.Applythin C/Agluetoeachhinge, making
sure that the C/A penetrates into both the flap
and wing panel.
8)Afterbothflap aresecurely hinged,firmly
grasp the wing panel and flap to make sure
the hinges are securely glued and cannot be
pulled out. Do this by carefully applying
medium pressure, trying to separate the flap
from the wing panel. Use caution not to crush
the wing structure.
Work the flap down several times to
“work in” the hinges and check for
proper movement.
Note:

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4) Deflect the aileron and completely
saturate each hinge with thin C/A glue. The
aileronsfrontsurface should lightlycontactthe
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.
Thehinge is constructedof 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:
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.Agap of 1/64” or less
shouldbemaintainedbetweenthewingpanel
andaileron.
Hinge.
Hinge.
T-pin.
C/Aglue.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a
papertowel,removeanyexcessC/Aglue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileronhingearea.
5)Turn thewingpanelover anddeflectthe
aileron in the opposite direction from the
opposite side. Apply thin C/A glue to each
hinge,makingsurethattheC/Apenetrates into
both the aileron and wing panel.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
6
Maskingtape.
3) Once the epoxy cures and use a covering
iron to seal the covering on the wing and over
the wing tip.
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.
Workthe aileronup anddown several
times to “work in” the hinges and
check for proper movement.
Note:
HINGING THE ELEVATOR.
Glue the rudder 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 TIPASSEMBLY.
Removecovering.
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.
Fillepoxy.

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2 sets.
3x40mm.
ALUMINUMWASHER.
ALUMINUMWASHER.
CONTROLHORN
M3 SCREW.
18mm.
Epoxy.
Wing
Wing
Epoxy.
M3LOCKNUT.
Aileroncontrolhorn.
INSTALL THE AILERONS CONTROL
HORN.
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.
3mm.
Install the flap control horn using the same
methodassame as the aileron controlhorns.
INSTALL FLAP CONTROL HORN.
2 sets.
3x40mm.

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
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16mm.
Epoxy.
Elevator.
Horizontal
Stabilizer.
Flap control horn.
Install the elevator control horn using the
same method as same as the aileron control
horns.
INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN.
ALUMINUMWASHER.
ALUMINUMWASHER.
CONTROLHORN
M3 SCREW.
18mm.
Epoxy.
Epoxy.
M3LOCKNUT.
3mm.
Aluminum Washer.
CONTROLHORN
M3 SCREW.
M3LOCKNUT.
Epoxy.
Aluminum Washer.
Elevator.
Horizontal
Stabilizer.
3mm.
1 sets.
3x35mm.

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ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION.
Ruddercontrol horn.
1) Locate the items necessary to install the
engine mount included with your model. .
2) Usefour4x30mm head bolts andfour4mm
washers to attach the engine mount rails to
thefirewall.Tightenthe screws . Make sure to
use threadlock on the screws to help prevent
them from vibrating loose.
4x30mm.
Rudder.
Aluminum Washer.
CONTROLHORN
M3 SCREW.
M3LOCKNUT.
Epoxy.
Aluminum Washer.
Fuselage.
Fuselage.
16mm.
Epoxy.
Rudder.
INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN.
1 sets.
3x35mm.
Elevator control horn.
3mm.
Repeatsteps to install the rudder control horn
as same as steps done for ailerons.

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
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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.
Thread locker glue.
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,cutone length
ofsiliconfuelline. Connectone end of the line
totheweightedfuelpick up and the other end
to the nylon pick up tube.
Venttube. Fuel pick up tube.
Fuel fill tube.
3) Carefully bend the second nylon tube
up at a 45º angle. This tube is the vent tube.
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.

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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.
9) 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.
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
thetankisinstalled inside the fuselage, it may
be difficult to determine which is which.
Fueltank.
Venttube.
Fuel pick up tube.
Fuel fill tube.
FUEL TANK INSTALLATION.
Epoxy.
 7) Slide the fuel tank into the fuselage. Guide
the lines from the tank through the hole in the
firewall.
Fueltank.
 8) Use plywood template to hold in place
the fuel tank with C/A glue to secure the fuel
tank inside the fuselage.
Balsawood include.
INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS.
Throttle servo.
Elevator servo. Rudder servo.
1) Installtherubber grommets and brass
colletsontothethrottleservo. Testfittheservo
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 to adjustthesize of theprecutopen-
ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of the
mount allow the servo lead to pass through.
THROTTLE SERVO ARM INSTALLATION.
Installadjustableservoconnectorinthe servo
arm as same as picture below:

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
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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).
4.5mm.
4mm.
AdjustableServo
connector.
Servoarm.
Loctite secure.
1PCS.
Throttleservoarm.
Elevatorservoarm. Rudderservoarm.
3/32” Hole.
INSTALLING THE SWITCH.
Installtheswitchintotheprecuthole in the
side, in the fuselage.
Switch.
Trimand cut.
140mm.
MOUNTING THE ENGINE.
 1) Positiontheengine withthedrivewasher
(150mm) forward of the firewall as shown.

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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.
Machinescrew M4x30mm.
Pushrodwire.
7) Slide the throttle pushrod wire into the tube.
Position the engine between the mounts. Use
four M4x30mm machine screws to secure the
engine to the mount as shown.
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.
Pushrod tube hole.
LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION:
1
2
3
5
4
1
4
2

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
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2) While keeping the back edge of the
cowl flush with the marks, align the front of
thecowl withthecrankshaftof theengine. The
front of the cowl should be positioned so the
crankshaft is in nearly the middle of the cowl
opening.Use thespinnerbackplateasaguide.
Hold the cowl firmly in place using pieces of
masking tape.
Becauseofthesizeofthecowl,itmay be nec-
essarytousea needle valve extension for the
highspeedneedlevalve. Make this out of suf-
ficient length 1.5mm wire and install it into the
end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
placebytighteningthesetscrew in the side of
the needle valve.
Trim and cut.
Trim and cut.
COWLING.
Trim and cut.
1)Slidethefiberglass cowl over the engine
and line up the back edge of the cowl with the
marksyoumade on the fuselagethentrimand
cut as shown.
M2clevis.
Adjustable
connector.
Trim and cut.
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Machine screw M3x10mm.
Needlevalve.
 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 M3x10mm screws.
ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION.
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.
- Model size: .61-75 size models
- Motor: 50mm 310 rev per volt
- Propeller: 13x10 ~ 14x10
- ESC: 60A
- Lipo Batteries: 8 cell 3200mA
Recommendation EP parts as shown (not
included with your model)
4x20mm.
3x15mm.

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
16
Balsa stick.
Electric motor.
M3x15mm.
Epoxy.
140mm.
Epoxy.
4mm.
4mm.
Blindnut.
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.
M4x20mm.

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INSTALLING THE SPINNER.
Battery.
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.
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.
Battery.
4) Locate the plywood battery tray to the
fuselage. Tighten the screws using machine
screws M3x15mm to secure the tray in position.
INSTALLING THE AILERON - FLAPSERVOS.
Servos. Smallweight.
Thread.
1) Usingasmallweight(Weighted fuel pick-up
workswell) and string, feed the string through
the wing as indicated.
Because the size of servos differ, you
mayneed toadjustthesizeof theprecutopen-
ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of
themountallowtheservo leadtopassthrough.
String.
Small weight.

PIPER COMANCHE. 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.Pullthe lead through the
wing and remove the string.
2) Place the servo between the mounting
blocksandspaceit fromthehatch.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.
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.

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9) Set the aileron hatch in place and use a
Phillips screw driver to install it with four wood
screws.
AILERONPUSHRODHORNINSTALLATION

PIPER COMANCHE. Instruction Manual.
20
1.
Cut.
5.
Wing. M2lock nut.
M3 lock nut.
M3clevis.
60mm.
100mm.
Flap.
Flap.
Wing.Wing.
Repeat the procedure for the other aileron servo.
Aileron.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
INSTALLING RETRACTABLE
LANDING GEAR.
INSTALLING THE FLAP SERVO.
M2lock nut. Wing.
Flap.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron servo.
Locatetheitems necessary to attachthenose
landing gear that are included with your
model.