Seagull Models VAN'S RV- 8 User manual

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ASSEMBLY MANUAL
Code: SEA249
www.seagullmodels.com
“ Graphics and specications may change without notice “ .
Specications:
Wingspan---------------70.9 in (180 cm).
Wing area---------------992 sq.in (64 sq.dm).
Weight-------------------11 lbs (5.0 kg).
Length-------------------58 in (147.3 cm).
Gas Engine--------------20cc
Glow Engine------------.91 cu.in
Electric Motor----------1500-2000 watt
( Power 60-110)
Radio--------------------6 channels with 8 servos.
Electric conversion: Optional.
(SEA249M)
(SEA249D)

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
2
ank you for choosing the VAN’S RV- 8 ARTF by SEAGULLMODELS COMPANY LTD,. e
VAN’S RV- 8 was designed with the intermediate/advanced sport yer in mind. It is a semi scale
airplane which is easy to y and quick to assemble. e 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 nd that most of the work has been done for you already. e motor
mount has been tted and the hinges are pre-installed. Flying the VAN’S RV- 8 is simply a joy.
is instruction manual is designed to help you build a great ying aeroplane. Please read
this manual throughly before starting assembly of your VAN’S RV- 8 . Use the parts listing
below to indentify all parts.
Please be awere that this aeroplane is not a toy and if assembley or used incorrectly it is
capable of causing injury to people or property. WHEN YOU FLY THIS AEROPLANE YOU
ASSUME ALL RISK & REPONSIBILITY.
If you are inexperienced with basic R/C ight we strongly recommend you contact your R/C
supplier and join your local R/C model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs oer a variety
of training procedures designed to help the new pilot on his way to successful R/C ight.
ey will also be able to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
INTRODUCTION.
WARNING.
KIT CONTENTS
1
5
2
3
3
2
4
6
7

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KIT CONTENTS.
SEA249 VAN’S RV- 8
SEA24901 Fuselage
SEA24902 Wing set
SEA24903 Tail set
SEA24904 Canopy
SEA24905 Cowling
SEA24906 Pilot
SEA24907 Aluminum wing tube
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED.
in cyanoacrylate glue.
Medium cyanoacrylate glue.
30 minute epoxy.
5 minute epoxy.
Hand or electric drill.
Assorted drill bits.
Modelling knife.
Straight edge ruler.
2mm ball driver.
Phillips head screwdriver.
220 grit sandpaper.
90° square or builder’s triangle.
Wire cutters.
Masking tape & T-pins.
read-lock.
Paper towels.
HINGING THE FLAP.
.Hinge.
Note : e control surfaces, including the ai-
lerons, elevators, and rudder, are prehinged
with hinges installed, but the hinges are not
glued in place. It is imperative that you prop-
erly adhere the hinges in place per the steps
that follow using a high-quality thin C/A glue.
1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
2) Remove each hinge from the wing panel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the wing
panel until the T-pin is snug against the wing
panel. is will help ensure an equal amount
of hinge is on either side of the hinge line
when the aileron is mounted to the aileron.
3) Slide the wing panel on the aileron until
there is only a slight gap. e hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and aileron. Re-
move the T-pins and snug the aileron against
the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less should
be maintained between the wing panel and
aileron.
�20cc gas or .91 glow.
�1500-2000 watt electric
(Power 60-110).
�Computer radio with 8 servos.
�Glow plug to suit engine.
�Propeller to suit engine.
�Protective foam rubber for radio
system.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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HINGING THE AILERON.
in CA.
Hinge.
T-pin.
4) Deect the aileron and completely satu-
rate each hinge with thin C/A glue. e ailer-
ons front surface should lightly contact the
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.
NOTE : e hinge is constructed of a spe-
cial 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.
5) Turn the wing panel over and deect 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.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a pa-
per towel, remove any excess C/A glue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileron hinge area.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
8) Aer both ailerons are securely hinged,
rmly grasp the wing panel and aileron to
make sure the hinges are securely glued and
cannot be pulled out. Do this by carefully ap-
plying medium pressure, trying to separate
the aileron from the wing panel. Use caution
not to crush the wing structure.
Work the aileron up and down sev-
eral times to “work in” the hinges
and check for proper movement.
Note :
Note : e control surfaces, including the ai-
lerons, elevators, and rudder, are prehinged
with hinges installed, but the hinges are not
glued in place. It is imperative that you prop-
erly adhere the hinges in place per the steps
that follow using a high-quality thin C/A glue.
1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
2) Remove each hinge from the wing panel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the wing
panel until the T-pin is snug against the wing
panel. is will help ensure an equal amount
of hinge is on either side of the hinge line
when the aileron is mounted to the aileron.

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3) Slide the wing panel on the aileron until
there is only a slight gap. e hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and aileron. Re-
move the T-pins and snug the aileron against
the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less should
be maintained between the wing panel and
aileron.
Hinge.
4) Deect the aileron and completely satu-
rate each hinge with thin C/A glue. e ailer-
ons front surface should lightly contact the
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.
NOTE : e hinge is constructed of a spe-
cial 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.
5) Turn the wing panel over and deect 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.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a pa-
per towel, remove any excess C/A glue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileron hinge area.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
8) Aer both ailerons are securely hinged,
rmly grasp the wing panel and aileron to
make sure the hinges are securely glued and
cannot be pulled out. Do this by carefully ap-
plying medium pressure, trying to separate
the aileron from the wing panel. Use caution
not to crush the wing structure.
Work the aileron up and down sev-
eral 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 ai-
lerons.
in CA.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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INSTALL THE AILERONS CONTROL
HORN.
Fiberglass control horn
Epoxy.
Epoxy.
Aileron control horn.
INSTALL FLAP CONTROL HORN.
Install the ap control horn using the
same method as same as the aileron con-
trol horns.
Fiberglass control horn.
Epoxy.
INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN.
Fiberglass control horn.
Epoxy.
HINGING THE RUDDER.
Glue the rudder hinges in place using
the same techniques used to hinge the ai-
lerons.

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Fiberglass control horn.
Elevator berglass control horn.
Epoxy.
INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN.
Repeat steps to install the rudder control
horn as same as steps done for ailerons.
Epoxy.
Rudder berglass control horn.
INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS.
.
Because the size of servos dier, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut
opening in the mount. e 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 t the
servo into the aileron servo mount.
2) Secure the servos with the screws pro-
vided with your radio system.
Rudder servo.
Elevator servo.
Elevator servo.
rottle servo.
THROTTLE SERVO ARM
INSTALLATION.
Install adjustable servo connector in the
servo arm as same as picture below:
Servo arm.
Adjustable servo
connector.
Loctite secure.
rottle servo arm.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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Switch.
INSTALLING THE STOPPER
ASSEMBLY.
1) Using a modeling knife, carefully cut
o the rear portion of one of the 3 nylon
tubes leaving 1/2” protruding from the
rear of the stopper. is will be the fuel
pick up tube.
2) Using a modeling knife, cut one length
of silicon fuel line. Connect one end of
the line to the weighted fuel pick up and
the other end to the nylon pick up tube.
A
B
INSTALLING THE RECEIVER SWITCH.
Install the switch into the precut hole in
the side, in the fuselage.
3/32” Hole.
Trim and cut.
.
Switch.
INSTALLING THE ENGINE SWITCH.
Trim and cut.

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Vent tube. Fuel pick up tube.
Fuel fill tube.
3) Carefully bend the second nylon tube up
at a 45º angle. is tube is the vent tube.
4) Test t the stopper assembly into the tank.
It may be necessary to remove some of the
ashing around the tank opening using a
modeling knife. If ashing is present, make
sure none falls into the tank.
5) With the stopper assembly in place, the
weighted pick-up should rest away from the
rear of the tank and move freely inside the
tank. e 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 satised with the alignment of the
stopper assembly tighten the 3 x 20mm ma-
chine screw until the rubber stopper expands
and seals the tank opening. Do not over-
tighten 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
the tank is installed inside the fuselage, it may
be dicult to determine which is which.
7) Slide the fuel tank into the fuselage. Guide
the lines from the tank through the hole in
the rewall.
8) Use plywood template to hold in place the
fuel tank with C/A glue to secure the fuel
tank inside the fuselage.
A
C/A glue.
C/A glue.
Balsa wood.
B
9) Connect the lines from the tank to the en-
gine and muer. e vent line will connect
to the muer and the line from the clunk to
the carburetor.
Vent tube.
Fuel pick up tube.
Fuel ll tube.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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Blow through one of the lines to ensure
the fuel lines have not become kinked inside
the fuel tank compartment. Air should ow
through easily.
.
ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION.
1) Locate the items necessary to install
the engine mount included with your
model.
4x30mm
2) Use four 4x30mm head bolts and four
4mm washers to attach the engine mount
rails to the rewall. Tighten the screws .
Make sure to use threadlock on the screws to
help prevent them from vibrating loose.
read locker glue.
MOUNTING THE ENGINE - 20CC GAS.
1) Position the engine with the drive
washer (145mm) forward of the rewall
as shown.
145mm
2) Use a pin drill and 4mm 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.
4mm
4mm

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4) On the re wall has the location for the
throttle pusshrod tube (pre-drill).
5) Slide the pushrod tube in the rewall
and guide it through the fuel tank mount.
Use medium C/A to glue the tube to the
rewall and the fuel tank mount.
6) Connect the Z-bend in the 450mm
throttle pushrod to the outer hole of the
carburetor arm.
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.
Machine screw M4x30mm
Pushrod wire.
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 po-
sition 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.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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COWLING.
Please see these below pictures.
Because of the size of the cowl, it may be nec-
essary to use a needle valve extension for the
high speed needle valve. Make this out of suf-
cient length 1.5mm wire and install it into
the end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
place by tightening the set screw in the side of
the needle valve.
1) Carefully align the cowling on the air-
plane. e front of the cowl should be posi-
tioned so the cranksha is in the middle of
the cowl opening. Hold the cowl rmly in
place using pieces of masking tape.
Needle valve.
2) Slide the cowl in position on the fuselage.
Use M3x10mm screws to secure the cowling
to the fuselage.

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3x10mm
MOUNTING THE ENGINE - 2 stroke.
145mm
1) Position the engine with the drive
washer (145mm) forward of the rewall
as shown.
2) Use a pin drill and 4mm 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 re wall has the location for the
throttle pusshrod tube (pre-drill).
5) Slide the pushrod tube in the rewall
and guide it through the fuel tank mount.
Use medium C/A to glue the tube to the
rewall and the fuel tank mount.
6) Connect the Z-bend in the 450mm
throttle pushrod to the outer hole of the
carburetor arm.
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.
Machine screw M4x30mm

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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Pushrod wire.
COWLING.
1) Please see below pictures.
Because of the size of the cowl, it may be nec-
essary to use a needle valve extension for the
high speed needle valve. Make this out of suf-
cient length 1.5mm wire and install it into
the end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
place by tightening the set screw in the side of
the needle valve.
2) Carefully align the cowling on the air-
plane. e front of the cowl should be posi-
tioned so the cranksha is in the middle of
the cowl opening. Hold the cowl rmly in
place using pieces of masking tape.

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Needle valve.
3x10mm
ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION.
1) Locate the items neccessary to install
the electric power conversion included
with your model.
2) Note that there is no factory-made bat-
tery hatch in the RV-8 fuselage. If you
use electric power you must design your
own method to put the battery in and
out. e easiest method is to install the
battery from the front, at the bottom of
the cowling. Make an opening in the
plywood rewall right below the motor
mounting box. Cut away enough of the
bottom of the cowling to allow the bat-
tery to slide inside the fuselage. Make
sure you make a way to hold the battery
secure during ight.
An laser-cut plywood adjustable electric
motor mount is included in this kit. It
should work for almost all suitable elec-
tric motors.
3) Attach the electric motor box to the
rewall suitable with the cross lines
drawn on the electric motor box and re-
wall. Using M4x20mm to secure the mo-
tor box to the rewall. Please see pictures
below.
- Motor: 50mm
- Propeller: 15x10 ~ 16x10
- ESC: 80A
- Lipo Batteries: 8 cell 5200mA
3) Slide the cowl in position on the fuselage.
Use M3x10mm screws to secure the cowling
to the fuselage.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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4) Attach the motor to the front of the
electric motor box using four 4mm blind
nut, four M3x12mm hex head bolts to se-
cure the motor. Please see picture shown.
M4x20mm
.
4 mm
.
Blind nut.
5) Attach the motor to the front of the
electric motor box using four 4mm blind
nut, four M3x12mm hex head bolts to se-
cure the motor. Please see picture shown.
145 mm
Epoxy
Balsa stick.
Epoxy
M3x12mm

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1717
6) 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 mo-
tor. Make sure the leads will not interfere
with the operation of the motor.
Speed control
M3x15mm
Battery.
INSTALLING THE SPINNER.
e 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 propel-
ler comes in contact with it.
INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS.
Servos
.
Small weight
.
Thread
Because the size of servos dier, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut
opening in the mount. e notch in the
sides of the mount allow the servo lead to
pass through.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
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1) Using a small weight (Weighted fuel
pick-up works well) and string, feed the
string through the wing as indicated.
2) Place the servo between the mounting
blocks and space it from the hatch. Use a
pencil to mark the mounting hole loca-
tions 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/A to
cure without using accelerator.
C/A glue
5) Use dental oss to secure the connec-
tion so they cannot become unplugged.
6) Secure the servo to the aileron hatch
using Phillips screwdriver and the screws
provided with the servo.
7) Apply 1-2 drops of thin C/A to each
of the mounting tabs. Allow the C/A to
cure without using accelerator.
C/A glue
8) Remove the string from the wing at
the servo location and use the tape to at-
tach it to the servo extension lead. Pull
the lead through the wing and remove
the string.

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.
9) Set the aileron hatch in place and use a
Phillips screw driver to install it with four
wood screws.
2x10mm
INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVO.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron
servo.
INSTALLING THE FLAP SERVO.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron
servo.

Van’s RV- 8 Instruction Manual.
20
.
AILERONPUSHRODHORN
INSTALLATION.
Please see below pictures.
Use a felt tip pen to mark the wire where
it crosses the hole. Use a pair of pliers to
put a shrp 90-degree bend in the wire at
the mark.
Mark.
Bend at the mark
INSTALLING THE LIGHT COVER.
Please see below pictures.
Epoxy.
Cut.