Seagull Models Van's RV-8 User manual

1
Specications:
Wingspan------------------------ 180cm------------------------- 71 inches.
Length---------------------------- 152.7cm---------------------- 60 inches.
Wing area------------------------ 64 sq.dm---------------------- 992 sq.in.
Weight---------------------------- 5.8 kg-------------------------- 12.8 lbs.
Engine---------------------------- 35 - 40cc.
Motor 180; 3000-3500watt; ESC 80A-120A; Lipo 12s 3300-4200mAh.
Radio----------------------------- 7 channels 8 servos.
ASSEMBLY MANUAL
Code : SEA 388

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
2
1
ank you for choosing the RV-8 ARF 35-40cc ARTF by SG MODELS. e RV-8 ARF
35-40cc 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 RRV-
8 ARF 35-40cc 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 RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Use the parts
listing below to indentify all parts.
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.
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 & REPONSIBILITY.
INTRODUCTION
WARNING
KIT CONTENTS
2
2
3
9
6
3
4
5
7
10
11
12
13
14
8

3
�35-40cc gasoline engine.
�Computer radio 7 channel with 8
servos.
�Glow plug to suit engine.
�Propeller to suit engine 20x8-21x10.
�Protective foam rubber for radio
system.
KIT CONTENTS
SEA388 RV-8 ARF 35-40cc
1. Fuselage
2. Wing set (2)
3. Tail set (2)
4. Canopy
5. Cowling
6. Wing tube
7. landing gear
8. Fuel tank
9. Tail wheel
10. Pushrod
11. Ep Motor box
12. Pilot
13. Spinner
14. Wing tips bulbs
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
Note : e control surfaces, including the ailer-
ons, 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 us-
ing a high-quality thin C/A glue.
Carefully remove the aileron from one of
the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
1.
C/A Hinge
Slide the wing panel on the ap until
there is only a slight gap. e hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and ap. Re-
move the Tpins and snug the ap against
the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less
should be maintained between the wing
panel and ap.
2.
Remove each hinge from the wing panel
and ap and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the aileron
until the T-pin is snug against the aileron.
is will help ensure an equal amount of
hinge is on either side of the hinge line when
the ap is mounted to the wing panel.
Hinge
T-pin

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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5.
3.
4.
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 ap.
Deect the ap and completely saturate
each hinge with thin C/A glue. e ap front
surface should lightly contact the wing dur-
ing this procedure. Ideally, when the hinges
are glued in place, a 1/64” gap or less will be
maintained throughout the lengh of the ap
to the wing panel hinge line.
Turn the wing panel over and deect the
ap in the opposite direction from the oppo-
site side. Apply thin C/A glue to each hinge,
making sure that the C/A penetrates into
both the ap and wing panel.
Using C/A remover/debonder and a paper
towel, remove any excess C/A glue that may
have accumulated on the wing or in the ap
hinge area.
Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the ap in place.
Aer both ap are securely hinged, rmly
grasp the wing panel and ap to make sure
the hinges are securely glued and cannot
be pulled out. Do this by carefully applying
medium pressure, trying to separate theM
ap 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 :
CA glue
Hinge
HINGING THE AILERON
Note : e control surfaces, including the ailer-
ons, 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 us-
ing a high-quality thin C/A glue.
Carefully remove the aileron from one of
the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
1.
C/A Hinge

5
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.
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.
Remove 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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.
Deect the aileron and completely saturate
each hinge with thin C/A glue. e ailerons
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.
Hinge
Hinge
T-pin
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.
Using C/A remover/debonder and a paper
towel, remove any excess C/A glue that may
have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileron hinge area.
Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
CA glue

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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7.
1.
Work the aileron up and down sev-
eral times to “work in” the hinges
and check for proper movement.
Note :
WING TIP BULBS
Please see below pictures.
2.
3.
e green light for right wing tip, and
the red light for le wing tip. ey are
designed to operate on voltages 12 volts.
Connect four lights into switch circuit so
that optional the dierent ashes mode.
4.
5.
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.
Epoxy
Lipo-3s

7
8.
7.
9.
6.
Locate the aileron control horns. e taller
control horn is used for the ailerons, and the
shorter horn for the aps.
Use sandpaper to scu the bottom of the
aileron and ap control horns. Use a paper
towel and isopropyl alcohol to remove any
oils or debris from the control horns.
Check the t of the control horns to the
aileron and ap. ey should rest ush
against the control surface as shown.
INSTALL THE AILERONS
CONTROL HORN
1.
2.
Epoxy
3.
Fiberglass control horn

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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Place low-tack tape 1/32 inch (1mm)
from the control horn slot. is will pre-
vent epoxy from getting on the control
surface when the control horns are glued
in place.
Apply epoxy to the area of the control
horns that st into the slots. Use enough
epoxy so the control horns will be fully
bonded to the ed surfaces.
Remove the control horns from the
control surfaces. Apply epoxy to the slot
in the aileron and ap. Make sure the
epoxy gets into the slot for a good bond
between the surfaces and control horn.
4.
5.
6.
Epoxy
Epoxy
Before the epoxy fully cures, remove
the tape from around the control horn.
is will allow the epoxy to ow around
the control horn, creating a small let
between the control horn and surface for
a ished look and secure bond.
7.
TInstall the ap control horn using the
same method as same as the aileron con-
trol horns.
1.
INSTALL FLAP CONTROL HORN
Fiberglass control horn

9
2.
3.
INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS
1.
2.
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.
Install the rubber grommets and brass
collets onto the aileron servo. Test t the
servo into the aileron servo mount.
Use dental oss to secure the connec-
tion so they cannot become unplugged.
Using a small weight (Weighted fuel
pickup works well) and thread, feed the
string through the wing as indicated.
3.
Attach servo lead to the aileron servo.
Attach the string to the servo lead and
carefully thread it though the wing. Once
you have thread the lead throught the
wing, remove the string so it can use for
the other servo lead.
4.
Minimum servo spec.
Torque : 333.00 oz-in (23.98 kg-cm) @
6.0V; oz-in (29.02 kg-cm) @ 7.4V

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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Tape the servo lead to the wing to pre-
vent it from falling back into the wing.
5.
Reinstall the servo into the servo mount
and secure the servo inplace using the
wood screws provided with you radio
system.
Repeat the procedure for the other wing
half.
6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
10.
44mm

11
3.
2.
4.
70mm
INSTALLING THE AILERON PUSHROD
Please study images below.
1.
5.
1.
1.
INSTALLING THE FLAP SERVO
INSTALLING THE FLAP PUSHROD
Repeat the procedure for the ap servo.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron
pushrod.

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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2.
INSTALL HINGE FOR STABILIZER
AND ELEVATOR
Please study images below.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Epoxy
6.
5.
7.

13
INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN
1.
2.
3.
4.
Epoxy
Epoxy
7.
5.
6.
8.
You can cut horizontal and vertical tail
holes, please see the image below.
Fiberglass control horn

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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9.
10.
12.
14.
15.
16.
13.
Minimum servo spec.
Torque : 333.00 oz-in (23.98 kg-cm) @
6.0V; oz-in (29.02 kg-cm) @ 7.4V
11.
32mm

15
2.
3.
1.
INSTALL HINGE FOR RUDDER AND
FIN
Please study images below.Please study images below. 1.
2.
3.
4.
INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN
4.
Epoxy
Epoxy
Fiberglass control horn
10mm

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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8.
7.
5.
6.
Epoxy
1.
HORIZONTAL TAIL INSTALLATION
Please study images below.
2.
3.
4.

17
5.
6.
1.
ELEVATOR PUSHROD INSTALLATION
Please study images below.
M3x12mm
4.
5.
2.
3.
70mm
INSTALL RUDDER CABLE AND SERVO
NOTE : servos arm is not provided
from manufacturer.
1.

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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Tape the rudder balance tab to the top
leading edge of the vertical n in the
neutral position as shown. is ensures
the rudder is straight when the cables are
attached.
read the rudder cable through a
brass swage tube, then the threaded co
pler, and back through the brass swage
tube on both sides. Pull light tension on
the cable through the coupler on both
sides as shown.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Loop the cable back through the brass
swage tube and tighten the second loop
through the brass swage tube as shown.
Crimp the brass tube with a crimping
tool or pliers.

19
8.
Cut o excess cable as shown.
9.
10.
11.
Feed one rudder cable through the pre
installed cable exit tube in the rear of the
fuse toward the front of the fuse. Repeat
for other side.
read cable through brass swage tube.
12.
13.
read cable through the threaded
coupler hole, and back through the brass
swage tube as shown.
Loop the cable back through the brass
swage tube and pull tight.
14.

RV-8 ARF 35-40cc Instruction Manual.
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Crimp the brass swage tube with a
crimping tool or pliers.
Cut o excess cable as shown.
16.
15.
17.
1.
Locate items necessary to install
tailwheel.
TAILWHEEL INSTALLATION
3.
2.
4.
2mm
C/A glue