Seagull Superstar 120
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Hey, to all you putting one of this together, pay attention to details on this thread. If you decide in a gasser, a 26cc is not enough and a 40+ is a bit on the heavy side and you should maintain enough speed to avoid tip stalls on slow speed. No problem if you can handle that. Probably a 36 would be the perfect balance. I started a year ago with a cheap GMS 1.20 (good power for the price) nice fly, good landings. Not enough power for 3D. Went to a 43cc gasser after a good reinforce job and got a rocket, but couldn't fly at slow speeds. Tip stalls went up too much at half throtle. went back to glow untill get $$$ for a 36cc. If you pay attention on some information back on this thread you'll agree w/me. Any way mine survive and love it.
Frankie
Frankie
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Before you spend the bucks for a YS 120. Try a Webar 120 with a 15x8 APC . I have a YS 120 on a Funtana 90 and I think for the $ youll like the Webra. I've bought three of them on E-bay with muffler for only $90. The Webra loves the power band around 9800 rpm on the ground.
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
I'm running a 5cell 1500mah NiCd for the rx . It's stowed about mid tail section in a depron foam support. On tipstalling..........
I don't have that problem anymore after going with the 40cc. I truly think this plane likes the heavier and more powerful engines.
On approach I just leave the throttle on about 1/4 and slightly pitch the nose up during final until the wheels touch.
As mentioned somewhere back in this thread,,, when assembling this bird take your time and build it like you would a gasser whether your running glow , elec or gas. Don't use the stock hinges if your running gas. You'll be sorry.
I run a couple of props . A NX 20x8 and a TopFlite 20x10. The NX is best I think,,, but for sport flying I'd even drop down to a 19x10 or smaller. Less load on the engine ,, just watch the speed.
The SS120 will never be a 3/D machine for the everyday flyers. You can hover it and do some outstanding flatspins, slow knife edges more if you spend the time to get a good balance of throw and expo. Too little throw during a move and you can't get into the groove. Too much and she'll snap outta the move. The whole problem lies within the small wing area. Compare the area with other 3/D acro planes and you'll see what I mean. For the SS120's size it has a huge barndoor rudder, generous control surfaces, nice midwing design , good color/striping layout for easy situational awareness top and bottom and tons of room in the fuse for radio , smoke, tank, etc. What it doesn't have is wing area. You could put a 100cc twin on the thing and have gobs of thrust but it won't do you any good without structural lift. Even a 10% bigger wing would make this closer to a hucker. Maybe someone will fit one on the SS120 saometime before the plane fades into RC history.[&o]
I don't have that problem anymore after going with the 40cc. I truly think this plane likes the heavier and more powerful engines.
On approach I just leave the throttle on about 1/4 and slightly pitch the nose up during final until the wheels touch.
As mentioned somewhere back in this thread,,, when assembling this bird take your time and build it like you would a gasser whether your running glow , elec or gas. Don't use the stock hinges if your running gas. You'll be sorry.
I run a couple of props . A NX 20x8 and a TopFlite 20x10. The NX is best I think,,, but for sport flying I'd even drop down to a 19x10 or smaller. Less load on the engine ,, just watch the speed.
The SS120 will never be a 3/D machine for the everyday flyers. You can hover it and do some outstanding flatspins, slow knife edges more if you spend the time to get a good balance of throw and expo. Too little throw during a move and you can't get into the groove. Too much and she'll snap outta the move. The whole problem lies within the small wing area. Compare the area with other 3/D acro planes and you'll see what I mean. For the SS120's size it has a huge barndoor rudder, generous control surfaces, nice midwing design , good color/striping layout for easy situational awareness top and bottom and tons of room in the fuse for radio , smoke, tank, etc. What it doesn't have is wing area. You could put a 100cc twin on the thing and have gobs of thrust but it won't do you any good without structural lift. Even a 10% bigger wing would make this closer to a hucker. Maybe someone will fit one on the SS120 saometime before the plane fades into RC history.[&o]
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Hi Sturtz, my project came after yours. As i stated before, came w/a fuji 43, a bit heavy(new for $250 couldn't let pass) was flying ok on 1rst test until back off some throthle for slow speed flying. It snapped the right wing and was hard to pull back straight. I got scare and landed. Never tried again. Got the 43 back to the 77" edge, and the 1.20 GMS to the SS. I always thaugth was the weight (and so the guys with me) but now i'm looking at a not to good rx battery i found recently. It was a strong wind day and the "snap" coulded be because of, and slow response battery worsen the situation. I agree this is a nice sport flying craft and will not stop until have a gasser on it again. Thanks to your project information my one is a strong airplane and survived to one year abuse.
Frankie
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
I'm still flying mine. You're right. it isn't your typical 3D machine. Also correct on the flat spins. They are beautiful. It is a very good sport flyer in my opinion. Having a blast with it.
Steve
Steve
#308
RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Finished and flew my new Superstar today. Had to give it three clicks down and it tracked true. Landing it was a little touchy, as the wind picked up to about 10 mph. Had 1/2" throw with 40% exp on the ailerons and that was a bit much. Toned it down to 3/8" and it handled well. Trouble is after ~8 minutes I landed and checked the tank and there was only about an ounce left! The OS 1.6 is a hog. Test ran it again on the ground and got 8-1/2 minutes on a tank of 10% Cool Power. Looks like I need a bigger tank. I have a new 24 oz Dubro, but wanted to know what anyone else's experience is. Does anyone know what size that stock tank is? By the way, I using an JXF 18-8 wood prop.
#309
RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Hi Kruz, i have a os 160 in mine and an 8 min flight (my avg) dont even use a half tank. maybe a little leaning will help. that is a awful lot of fuel.
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Wow, 1/2" throw and 40% expo too touchy????
I have like 1.5" and 30% expo and it's about right for me.
Fuel consumption... I haven't got an OS 1.60, but I get a good 10 minutes on the Saito 1.80 which is known to be a bit thirsty, with the stock 20oz tank.
Sidestepping here, I haven't been here in a while!
Mine is still in one piece. The Saito 1.80 pulls her along nicely, but I think I need to play with the needles a bit. I've gone to a 17x8 APC and it seems to be happy, but I still need to lean her out to the sweet spot. I'm a bit rich right now I believe. I haven't really tried to hover this thing. I get nervous that she'll tip-stall near the ground. And that would be bad. I'm still not convinced that the 1.80 has enough beans to pull out of a hover anyway. My .82 on my H9 Twist 40 has PLENTY. Hovers a little under 1/2 throttle and pulls out like a rocket.
I recently switched everything I own to JR/Spektrum gear. I got an X9303 after selling my DX7 to a friend of mine and this plane got an AR7000 with a regulator and a LiPo receiver pack. It's nice not having to charge the thing right before going to fly. I can top batteries off throughout the week whenever I get a chance, and it's all sitting there ready to go for the weekend.
I'm practicing knife edges and four points, along with other precision-type flying with this slightly bigger bird though. She's been treating me well.
-Eric
I have like 1.5" and 30% expo and it's about right for me.
Fuel consumption... I haven't got an OS 1.60, but I get a good 10 minutes on the Saito 1.80 which is known to be a bit thirsty, with the stock 20oz tank.
Sidestepping here, I haven't been here in a while!
Mine is still in one piece. The Saito 1.80 pulls her along nicely, but I think I need to play with the needles a bit. I've gone to a 17x8 APC and it seems to be happy, but I still need to lean her out to the sweet spot. I'm a bit rich right now I believe. I haven't really tried to hover this thing. I get nervous that she'll tip-stall near the ground. And that would be bad. I'm still not convinced that the 1.80 has enough beans to pull out of a hover anyway. My .82 on my H9 Twist 40 has PLENTY. Hovers a little under 1/2 throttle and pulls out like a rocket.
I recently switched everything I own to JR/Spektrum gear. I got an X9303 after selling my DX7 to a friend of mine and this plane got an AR7000 with a regulator and a LiPo receiver pack. It's nice not having to charge the thing right before going to fly. I can top batteries off throughout the week whenever I get a chance, and it's all sitting there ready to go for the weekend.
I'm practicing knife edges and four points, along with other precision-type flying with this slightly bigger bird though. She's been treating me well.
-Eric
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Hmm...
There's something I had never thought about...
I always saw this plane as a nitro bird. But after re-reading this thread, I wonder how an Evolution 35GT would work.
My only concern is that it's like ... a LOT heavier. 31oz on the Saito, 52.8oz for the Evolution. Plus ignition. Plus battery. Plus muffler. All of which are heavier than the Saito.
I really want a plane with a gas engine. I've got a gas heli now and it's really nice to not kart my big box out there. A gas plane would be equally as awesome. I just don't want to sacrifice performance for easiness.
I wonder how it is on a 26. 33.1oz puts it in basically the same weight bracket as the Saito. But it swings a 16x8 at 8,000rpm instead of 9,500-10,000rpm. A loss of power but I don't hover it anyway... I wonder how it would go?
Maybe I should just leave it alone and wait to get a 50cc plane.
-Eric
There's something I had never thought about...
I always saw this plane as a nitro bird. But after re-reading this thread, I wonder how an Evolution 35GT would work.
My only concern is that it's like ... a LOT heavier. 31oz on the Saito, 52.8oz for the Evolution. Plus ignition. Plus battery. Plus muffler. All of which are heavier than the Saito.
I really want a plane with a gas engine. I've got a gas heli now and it's really nice to not kart my big box out there. A gas plane would be equally as awesome. I just don't want to sacrifice performance for easiness.
I wonder how it is on a 26. 33.1oz puts it in basically the same weight bracket as the Saito. But it swings a 16x8 at 8,000rpm instead of 9,500-10,000rpm. A loss of power but I don't hover it anyway... I wonder how it would go?
Maybe I should just leave it alone and wait to get a 50cc plane.
-Eric
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Doe's ANY one have a link to where I can get the instruction manual for the seagull super star .
Send me an email - rescue911j1@aol.
Im putting the plane together for a friend with no instructions at all.
Send me an email - rescue911j1@aol.
Im putting the plane together for a friend with no instructions at all.
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
finally going to start to build my ss 120. been busy with work. I will be putting a saito 180 in it. I need some clarification on the measuring the cg. i've read that some measure at the root and others at the tip. Which is it? and what distance to measure? thanks.
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/cg_calc.htm#cg
This is what I use... I have never followed the manual when balancing a plane..........
This is what I use... I have never followed the manual when balancing a plane..........
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
CG measures on instr manual for SS 120 are incorrect. They issued a bulletin later on. Follow brown 2x2 sugestion. CorrectCG on my one is between 41/2' to 4 5/8'.
Frankie b
Frankie b
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
ORIGINAL: Frankie b
CG measures on instr manual for SS 120 are incorrect. They issued a bulletin later on. Follow brown 2x2 sugestion. CorrectCG on my one is between 41/2' to 4 5/8'.
Frankie b
CG measures on instr manual for SS 120 are incorrect. They issued a bulletin later on. Follow brown 2x2 sugestion. CorrectCG on my one is between 41/2' to 4 5/8'.
Frankie b
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RE: Seagull Superstar 120
Not sure your going to get 3D out of her........... But flat spinns look darn good..............I have a BCMA 26cc gas....... The motor only works good when you have a JFX 17x8 prop.......
I like flying the Super Star.......Great flyer........
I like flying the Super Star.......Great flyer........
#324
Anybody still flying one of these? (talk about posting to a really old thread!) I recently got a new-in-the-box SS120 ARF, and put a CRRC 26cc gasser in it (because that's what I had on hand). 6 flights on it now - still getting used to it. So far, the results sound similar to what others have said in this thread. [If it was easy, I'd love to have wings about 6" longer on each side.] The Chinese gasser doesn't have enough pull to do a hover, but is plenty otherwise. It is curious that the manufacturer still lists the SuperStar, but the US distributor doesn't (parts only). http://www.seagullmodels.com/index.asp http://www.horizonhobby.com/webapp/w...pe=productgrid