Plan Download Page
Short Seamew
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here to download zip file (160 KB)
I am pleased to be able to offer my first plan for download - this
Peanut scale Short Seamew. I thought my drawings for this had been
lost several years ago, but found them up in the loft while
I was doing a bit of clearing out. I have scanned them and cleaned up
the images as well as I can, plus I have added some notes, including
wood sizes etc. The zip file contains three sheets of plans, each
fitting comfortably on a sheet of A4 or U.S. Legal paper, plus two
sheets of drawings taken from the Contrail 1:72 vac-form plastic kit
of the Seamew, which give colour scheme information.
Each of the model plan sheets has a 4 inch scale drawn on to help
you resize everything after printing, if necessary. Nothing to
stop you scaling it up or down of course!
I have found that the easiest way to print the files out is to read
them into a graphics package such as Paint Shop Pro, then print from
there.
The model outlines are all to scale - even that huge barn door of a
tailplane. The only intentional deviations from scale are extra
dihedral, and a slightly lengthened undercarriage (which you do
not need unless you want to do take-offs)
My example still flies very reliably (left) even with a horrendously
warped tailplane. You might want to try diagonal cross pieces in this
to reduce the risk of warping. The model features hinged elevators
and rudder (using wire hinges from plastic bag ties), but you could
save a bit of weight by making them one-piece. My rudder has quite a
bit of offset though to get it round in an average size sports hall,
so if you build a one-piece fin, be prepared to glue it on at an
angle.
I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the stringer slots in the fuselage
formers, so be prepared for a bit of adjustment as you assemble the
fuselage. Construction is conventional half-shell - lay down the top
and bottom keels, a set of half formers, one side of the cockpit
surround, plus wing mount and fore and aft side keels. Then remove,
add the other half formers, side keels etc before adding the stringers
one at a time, alternating sides to avoid introducing distortion.
The wings are simply glued to the mounting plates on the sides of the
fuselage (after covering), and if you just tack these on using a
minimum of glue, they come off cleanly in the event of a bad crash,
without incurring any structural damage. They can then be simply and
quickly glued back on.
The 4-bladed prop on mine was made by combining a pair of 4" Kaysun
plastic props, which came out rather heavy, but meant I didn?t need
any noseweight. The wheels were stolen from an old plastic kit - if
you make balsa ones, you will save more weight.
The cockpit canopies are the same shape front and back, so just
stretch mould, or vac-form, a couple complete with windshield - keep
the best one for the front, and cut the windscreen off the other so
you can use it for the observer?s position.
Feel free to get in touch if you want anything on the plan explaining,
or need any advice. If any of you build a Seamew from these plans, I would love to hear
how you got on - be sure to send me a picture of the finished model!
A little about the real aircraft
