Seagull Decathlon Saito 72

A quick video of the re-maiden of my Seagull Decathlon after installing a Saito .72 that was purchased on e-bay. Unfortunately the engine seized on the third flight of the day (after this video was shot). Luckily I had enough altitude to bring her home safely...

Moral of the story, never buy a used Saito on e-bay!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• RC
• Flying
• Seagull
• Decathlon
• Space
• City
• Saito
• 72
• Airplane
• Aircraft
• Plane

[Rocknranchman]

I noticed the sign said Space City R/C if that is the one west of Houston then it was a part of the crosscountry event that I flew in. Is that the same one? Matter fact they threw the event it was a few years back. I also have an 82 NIB never seen daylight yet!

[chrisfev01]

Yes, the field is west of Houston, north of Katy.

[Rocknranchman]

That motor sounds leaned out too much when you took off. Saitos have to be slightly on the rich side when you take-off. They will lean some when you get airborne. I have many of these engines and they run very well. But all it takes is one lean run and it can get hot and lock up. I have seen it happen! I have flown a Saito 65 on a30mile cross country event with 0 engine failures. Love them Saitos!  Good Luck -keeper rich!

[chrisfev01]

You are probably right, I think it was too lean. It was a tough lesson to be learned. I now have a brand new .82 that I run very, very rich. I plan on sending the .72 back to Horizon for a rebuild. Not sure what aircraft Im going to put it in yet...

[gonadus]

Anything that one would need to know that could be a pain about this build? As I sit here watching your vids (excellent), behind me is one of these ready to start building. I'm pretty pleased with what I see that has already been done.

[chrisfev01]

Sent you a private message...

[Rocknranchman]

Since this is a scale model I would break-in the engine on a test stand first. The sound is usually without any knocking sounds. What I would do is first get a tachometer and break in the engine slowly running rich. Do not lean out like a 2 stroke! Lean it out a click or two after a tank or two. Listen for a knocking or pinging (thats detonation) and a sound of over lean condition. You can also get more info on RCUniverse on the Saito forum. Keep it Rich! adj low end last. Good Luck!

[chnoud999]

Hi, I am getting to build a Fockewulf with .72 Saito. I was wondering how do I figure out that the engine is running too lean? On sound - that it does not want to go to high rpm? On smoke? I cannot measure the temperature during flyght and I do not want to loose my first plane glow engine. If I follow the instructions in the manual, will I be on the safe side?

Thanks for your advise.

[Rocknranchman]

I have the Seagull 65" Space Walker with a Saito 50 and it flys very realistic and will prerform most manuvers within the fullscales abilities. A real pleasure to do touchngo's with. Now I'm thinking about upgrading to the 80 incher. Fun Fun!

[chrisfev01]

Check my channel for two new videos of the Decathlon with the new Saito .82