Seagull Models Spitfire Mk IX Assembly Manual

“Graphics and specifications may change without notice”.

MS:183

ASSEMBLY MANUAL

Specifications:

Wing span ------------------------------79.9in (203cm).
Wing area -----------------1165.6sq.in (75.2sq dm).
Weight ------------------------11-13.2lbs (5.0-6.0kg).
Length ------------------------------64.5in (163.8cm).
Engine ------------------------ 22-40cc -----2-stroke.

40-50cc -----4-stroke.
Radio ------------------- 6 channels with 10 servos.
Electric conversion: optional

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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INTRODUCTION.

Thank you for choosing the SPITFIRE 2030 mmARTF by SEAGULL MODELS COMPANY LTD. The
SPITFIRE 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 using balsa,
plywood to make it stronger than the average ARTF , yet the design 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 SPITFIRE 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 SPITFIRE . 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.

If you are inexperienced with basic R/C flight we strongly recommend you contact your R/C supplier
and join your local R/C Model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs offer a variety of training
procedures designed to help the new pilot on his way to successful R/C flight. They will also be able
to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.

KIT CONTENTS

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2

2

3

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4

5

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ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.

 22-40cc 2-stroke.

40-50cc 4-stroke.

 Computer radio with 10 servos.
 Glow plug to suit engine.
 Propeller to suit engine.
 Protective foam rubber for radio

system.

TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED.

 Thick 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.
 Thread-lock.
 Paper towels.

KIT CONTENTSTS

SEA18301 Fuselage
SEA18302 Wing Set
SEA18303 Tail Set
SEA18304 Cowling
SEA18305 Canopy
SEA18306 Linkage Set
SEA18307 Landing Gear
SEA18308 Wing Tube
SEA18309 Decal Set
SEA18310 Hardware Pack

HINGING THE FLAP .

INSTALL THE AILERONS CONTROL

HORN.

2x10 mm

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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Epoxy

Flap Fiberglass control horn.

Install the flap control horn using the same
method as same as the aileron control horns.

INSTALL FLAP CONTROL HORN.

Fiberglass control horn.

Epoxy

INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL

HORN.

Epoxy

Fiberglass control horn.

Fiberglass control horn.

Epoxy

Aileron Fiberglass control horn.

Epoxy

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Epoxy

Elevator Fiberglass control horn.

Epoxy.

Rudder Fiberglass control horn.

INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN.

Repeat steps to install the rudder control horn
as same as steps done for ailerons.

Fiberglass control horn.

INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS.

Throttle servo.

THROTTLE SERVO ARM INSTALLATION.

Install adjustable servo connector in the servo
arm as same as picture below:

Adjustable Servo
connector.

Servo arm.

Loctite secure.

1 PCS.

Throttle servo arm.

Rudder and Steering servo arm.

 1) Install the rubber grommets and brass
collets onto the throttle servo. Test fit the servo
into the aileron servo mount.

 2) Secure the servos with the screws pro­vided with your radio system.

Because the size of servos differ, you may
need to adjust the size of the precut opening
in the mount. The notch in the sides of the
mount allow the servo lead to pass through.

Rudder and Steering servo.

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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3/ 32” Hole.

Install the switch into the precut hole in the

side, in the fuselage.

Trim and cut.

Switch.

INSTALLING THE STOPPER ASSEMBLY.

 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.

 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.

Balsa

INSTALLING THE SWITCH RECEIVER

INSTALLING THE SWITCH ENGINE

Trim and cut.

Switch.

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 6) When satisfied with the alignment of
the stopper assembly tighten the 3 x 20mm
machine screw until the rubber stopper ex­pands and seals the tank opening. Do not
overtighten the assembly as this could cause
the tank to split.

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 difficult to determine which is which.

Fuel tank.

FUEL TANK INSTALLATION.

7) Slide the fuel tank into the fuselage. Guide
the lines from the tank through the hole in the
firewall .

 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.

 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. The top of the vent tube should rest just
below the top of the tank. It should not touch
the top of the tank.

Vent tube.

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.

C/A glue

Fuel tank.



8) Use plywood template to hold in place
the fuel tank with C/A glue to secure the fuel
tank inside the fuselage.

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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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.

ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION.

1) Locate the items necessary to install the
engine mount included with your model. .

2) Use low-tack tape to secure the plywood
engine template to the firewall, making sure it
is centered. Use a drill and 1/16 inch (1.5mm)
drill bit to drill the four pilot holes for the wood
box mounting screws.

4x30mm.

3x10

5mm

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Thread locker glue.

150mm.

MOUNTING THE ENGINE.

 1) Position the engine with the drive washer
(150mm) forward of the firewall as shown.

2) Use a pin drill and 4mm drill bit to drill a
small indentation in the mount for the engine
mounting screw.

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 600mm throttle
pushrod to the outer hole of the carburetor arm.

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).

4mm.

4mm.

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.

Pushrod wire.

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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Screw.

Trim and cut.

COWLING.

Trim and cut.

 1)Slide the fiberglass cowl over the engine
and line up the back edge of the cowl with the
marks you made on the fuselage then trim and
cut as shown.

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.

 Secure the ignition module in the fuselage
using hood and loop tape. Route the wires as
neccessary, making sure to connect the lead
from the ignition switch and the sensor from
the engine. The lead for the plug is routed
through the opening in the firewall.

 Pass the lead for the ignition through the
rectangular hole in the firewall. Connect to the
corresponding lead from the ignition module.

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Trim and cut.

Because of the size of the cowl, it may be nec­essary to use a needle valve extension for the
high speed needle valve. Make this out of suf­ficient 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) While keeping the back edge of the
cowl flush with the marks, align the front of
the cowl with the crankshaft of the engine. The
front of the cowl should be positioned so the
crankshaft is in nearly the middle of the cowl
opening. Use the spinner backplate as a guide.
Hold the cowl firmly in place using pieces of
masking tape.

 3) Install the muffler and muffler extension
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 fuse­lage using the 3x10mm screws to tighten the
screws.

3x10 mm

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

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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2) Place the servo between the mounting
blocks and space it from the hatch. Use a 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/A to cure without
using accelerator.

5) Use dental floss to secure the connection
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.

INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS.

String.

Small weight.

Servos.

Small weight.

Thread.

1) Using a small weight (Weighted fuel pick-

up works well) and string, feed the string

through the wing as indicated.

Because the size of servos differ, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut open­ing in the mount. The notch in the sides of
the mount allow the servo lead to pass through.

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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
servo extension lead. 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.

2x10 mm

INSTALLING THE FLAP SERVOS

Repeat the procedure for the aileron servo.

INSTALLING SERVOS RETRACT

Repeat the procedure for the aileron servo.

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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INSTALLING ELEVATOR SERVO

C/A glue

The elevator servo assembly follow these be­low pictures

2x10 mm

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AILERON PUSHROD HORN INSTALLATION

Wing.

Aileron.

M3 lock nut.

INSTALLING THE FLAP PUSHROD

Repeat the procedure for the aileron servo.

M3 lock nut.

M3 clevis.

90mm.

M3 lock nut.

M3 clevis.

110mm.

Fuel Tubing

Hex Nut

Metal Clevis

M3 lock nut.

M3 clevis.

60mm.

Wing.

Flap.

M3 lock nut.

INSTALLING THE PUSHROD ELEVATOR

1) Locate the items necessary to install the
retractable landing gear as shown.

2) Install Retractable landing gear at the Wing.

INSTALLING RETRACTABLE

LANDING GEAR.

Fuel Tubing

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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2mm.

Pen.

2mm.

M3 lock nut.

M3 clevis.

30mm.

M3x25mm.

Screw.

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Epoxy

Collar

3) Install Wheel.

Collar

Epoxy

80mm

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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 The rudder hinge assemblu follow picture
below

INSTALLING RUDDER HINGE

INSTALLING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.

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1) Locate items necessary to install rudder pushrod.

RUDDER

PUSHROD HORN INSTALLATION.

Rudder pushrod.

Metal connector.

Crimp.

Cable end.

M3 clevis.

Fuel Tubing

Hex Nut

Metal Clevis

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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MOUNTING THE TAIL WHEEL

1) Locate items necessary to install tail gear.

Tail gear

Collar

Metal connector.

Crimp.

Cable end.

M3 clevis.

1

2

2

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1) Locate items necessary to install pilot and
canopy.

INSTALLATION PILOT AND CANOPY.

2) A scale pilot is included with this ARF. The
Seagull Pilot included fitting well to the cockpit.
(or you can order others scale pilot figures
made by Seagull factory. They are available at
Seagull distributors.)

If you are going to install a pilot figure, please use
a sanding bar to sand the base of the figure so that
it is flat.

3) Position the pilot figure on the canopy floor as
show. Locate the oval shaped on the canopy floor
and remove the covering. Use epoxy to glue this
into the base of the pilot figure and glue the cockpit
panel in place with C/A glue, please see pictures
as shown.

Fuel Tubing

Hex Nut

Metal Clevis

C/A glue

1

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

4) The last detail is to install the antenna

onto the fuselage. Use a hobby knife to cut a
slot in the top of the fuselage for the antenna.

INSTALLING THE BATTERY-RECEIVER.

 1) Plug the five servo leads and the switch
lead into the receiver. Plug the battery pack
lead into the switch also.



3) Route the antenna in the antenna tube

inside the fuselage and secure it to the bot­tom of fuselage using a plastic tape.

 2) Wrap the receiver and battery pack in
the protective foam rubber to protect them
from vibration.

APPLY THE DECALS.

1) If all the decals are precut and ready to
stick. 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.

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.

Receiver.

Battery.

4) Position the canopy onto the fuselage. Trace
around the canopy and onto the fuselage using
a felt-tipped pen.

80 mm

Epoxy

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A

B

A

A

A

B

Remove covering to
see hole

Remove covering to
see hole



5) Tighten the antenna to the fuselage.

The antenna is removeable so you can install
it at the flying field to prevent damage in trans­porting.

Tighten the antenna

A

B

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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
114 MM BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE
OF THE WING AT THE WING ROOT.

 3) Turn the airplane upside down. Place

your fingers on the masking tape and carefully
lift the plane .

 2) Mount the wing to the fuselage. Using a

couple of pieces of masking tape, place them
on the top side of the wing

114 mm 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

114 mm back from
the leading edge of the wing at the wing root.
This is the balance point at which your model
should balance for your first flights. Later, you
may wish to experiment 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
a lighter and snappier ”feel”. In any case,please
start at the location we recommend .

M4x12mm.

Insert two wing panels as pictures below.

ATTACHMENT WING-FUSELAGE.

Wing tube.

1) Attach the aluminium tube into fuselage.

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114mm.

With the wing attached to the fuselage, all
parts of the model installed ( ready to fly), and
empty fuel tanks, hold the model at the marked
balance point with the stabilizer level.

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
“nose heavy” and you must add weight* to the
tail to balance.

*If possible, first attempt to balance the model
by changing the position of the receiver battery
and receiver. If you are unable to obtain good
balance by doing so, then it will be necessary
to add weight to the nose or tail to achieve the
proper balance point.

CONTROL THROWS.

Ailerons:

High Rate :

Up : 18 mm
Down : 18 mm

Low Rate :

Up : 13 mm
Down : 13 mm

Elevator:

High Rate :

Up : 20 mm
Down : 20 mm

Low Rate :

Up : 15 mm
Down : 15 mm

Rudder:

High Rate :

Right : 30 mm
Left : 30 mm

Low Rate :

Right : 25 mm
Left : 25 mm

Flap:

Mid : 25 mm

Landing : 35 mm

SPITFIRE - 2030 mm Instruction Manual.

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 D) Check the throttle. Moving the
throttle stick forward should open the carbu­retor barrel. If it does not, flip the servo re­versing switch on your transmitter to change
the direction.

 E) From behind the airplane, look at
the aileron on the right wing half. Move the
aileron stick to the right. The right aileron
should move up and the other 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
behind the airplane, move the rudder stick to
the right. The rudder should move to the right.
If it does not, flip the servo reversing switch on
your transmitter to change the direction.

 A) Plug in your radio system per the
manufacturer's instructions and turn every­thing on.

 B) Check the elevator first. Pull back
on the elevator stick. The elevator halves
should move up. If it they do not, flip the servo
reversing switch on your transmitter to change
the direction.

Check the operation and direction of the
elevator, rudder, ailerons and throttle.

FLIGHT PREPARATION.

 7) Check the receiver antenna. It should
be fully extended and not coiled up inside the
fuselage.

 3) Double check the balance of the air­plane. Do this with the fuel tank empty.

 4) Check the control surfaces. All should
move in the correct direction and not bind in
any way.

 5) If your radio transmitter is equipped
with dual rate switches double check that they
are on the low rate setting for your first few
flights.

 2) Check every bolt and every glue joint
in the SPITFIRE to ensure that everything is
tight and well bonded.

 6) Check to ensure the control surfaces
are moving the proper amount for both low
and high rate settings.

 1) Completely charge your transmitter
and receiver batteries before your first day of
flying.

 8) Properly balance the propeller. An out
of balance propeller will cause excessive vi­bration which could lead to engine and/or air­frame failure.

PREFLIGHT CHECK.

We wish you many safe and enjoyable
flights with your SPITFIRE - 2030mm