Seagull Models Dual Ace

An unusual ARTF twin engine model for 2x.46 2 stroke engines.

Submitted by Guy Glover 19/11/2005

Today is Friday. On Monday I visited Sussex Model Centre to get a couple of spinners and pilots for my Mosquito and there in the roof was a very large box containing an ARTF twin. " It is brand new, just come in - not in the mags yet" says the chap. On opening the box I was taken by the quality of the contents and hardware so it ended up in the car. It is all beautifully made and covered with nice touches like the epoxy nacelles covers. Both engine nacelles are made from ply with mounts already bolted on for side mounted engines. These just need epoxying into spaces in the wing and were a super fit. Fuselage is a work of art and is very light with epoxy mouldings for nose and rear section. All pushrods/snakes are installed and are a doddle to connect to servos - one servo for each elevator. I was going to use it as a test bed for my new ASP .52 4 stroke engines but ended up fitting our 2 Thunder Tiger GP.42's. These engines have been great but as they are very light I had to add a bit of lead in the nose to balance. Everything fitted perfectly and it went together very quickly, hence Friday and I have just been setting the engines up in the garden. What a great noise! The only problem I had was the pushrod to the nose wheel needed some extra support for the steering to work properly. Seagull have produced an excellent ARTF plane. Lets just hope it flies as well as it is made. Cost is around Ł125

*UPDATE - Sunday 20/11/05* Took to field today and spent most of the time getting the engines to run reliably and consistently. Tried to take off but had problems with front noseleg. Pushrod just not up to the job and the model would not track on the patch leading to the model tipping. Otherwise all fine and those there commented positively on the model. I suspect the leg is fine on tarmac but I am tempted to lock the leg in the straight ahead position for stability. It will have to wait until after the AGM!

*UPDATE - Sunday 04/12/05* Decided to replace nose leg so made my own out of 6swg wire and fixed to bulkhead with large clamps, seemed much better. Also decided that the suggested centre of gravity ( 80/90mm back from leading edge ) was too far forward so removed half of the lead I had put in the nose and set it at 100mm back. This looked much better to me. Off we went to the flying field and found no one there - just what I wanted. Engines running very nice she tracked stright down the patch and with a little up she took to the air. She flies as if on rails and is so very smooth you would think it was a pattern ship. The GP.42's are great and provide plenty of power. Loops are very graceful and she rolls very quickly. First landing was a little quick causing my nose leg to bend back a little ( I had put 2 coils in it, one would have been better) but no problem. Centre of gravity seems just right and the Dual Ace showed no bad habits at all. The second landing was much slower and she landed on the patch very nicely. I am very happy with this set up and can recommend the plane with only 2 critisisms - the nose leg and the centre of gravity. It is very well made and would be ballistic with 2x .52 4 strokes. OH yes - don't forget the beautiful noise you get from a twin!

*UPDATE - 29/12/05* Been flying the Dual Ace as my sports model since and I just love this plane. No signs of any tantrums, she just flies great. The engines have been fine and provide more than enough power. This makes this plane a very inexpensive twin if you fit 2 of the TT GP .42's as they are under Ł40 each. Been doing silly aerobatics with it and got it to prop hang to the amusement of onlookers. Even had to contribute to the forum at rcuniverse.com about this one. I must look at some more of the Seagull range as another member has an Extra which looks very nice too.