Seagull SEA433GEAR Dirty Birdy 65" Classic Pattern ARF .65-.75 or 61E With Retracts New November 2026

Dirty Birdy 65″ Classic American Pattern ARF

The Dirty Birdy is far more than a classic design brought back for nostalgia. Originally created by legendary designer Joe Bridi in the mid-1970s, it represented the next evolution of American Pattern aerobatics following the success of the iconic Kaos series.

Its refined wing planform—with increased sweep, a straight trailing edge, extended tail moment, and fully symmetrical wing and tail airfoils—delivers the smooth tracking, precision, energy retention, and locked-in feel demanded by serious Pattern pilots.

Seagull Models proudly brings this legendary aircraft back to the flight line as a modern ARF, preserving the spirit of the original while incorporating lightweight fully sheeted wood construction, modern assembly features, and glow or electric power compatibility for today’s pilots.

Specifications

Key Features

• Authentic Fully Sheeted Wood Construction: Precision-built balsa and plywood airframe with fully sheeted wing and fuselage structures provides excellent torsional rigidity, a clean aerodynamic finish, and the classic construction character expected from a true Pattern aircraft.
• True Classic Pattern Geometry: Increased wing sweep, a straight trailing edge, extended tail moment, and fully symmetrical wing and tail airfoils combine to deliver smooth tracking, neutral response, and clean maneuver presentation.
• Carbon-Fiber Reinforcement and Tubes: Carbon-fiber reinforcement in critical load areas, together with carbon-fiber wing and stabilizer tubes, provides high rigidity, secure alignment, and accurate incidence.
• Two-Piece Wing and Stabilizer System: The plug-in wing and horizontal stabilizer system makes transport and storage convenient while maintaining structural integrity and flight precision.
• Independent Twin Aileron Servo Installation: Separate aileron servo mounting supports precise control response and convenient radio programming for demanding aerobatic flight.
• Fixed Gear or Electric Retract Configuration: SEA433 includes durable piano-wire landing gear, CNC-machined aluminum mounting hardware, and lightweight PU rubber wheels. SEA433Gear includes the JP ER-005 electric retract set with one nose retract and two main retracts for a clean classic Pattern presentation.
• Retract-Ready Wing Design: Reinforced retract mounting areas, fiberglass-lined gear pockets, and universal mounting patterns allow accurate installation of the electric retract system. Covered bays retain a clean appearance in the fixed-gear configuration.
• Integrated Tuned-Pipe Belly Tunnel: The purpose-designed belly tunnel accommodates an internal tuned-pipe installation or efficient electric cooling while preserving structural rigidity and clean aerodynamic lines.
• Reinforced Tuned-Pipe Mounting Hardpoint: A dedicated internal mounting hardpoint provides secure support for a tuned-pipe installation and allows the model to be configured for sport, fixed-gear Pattern, or retract-equipped classic Pattern flying.
• Removable Painted Fiberglass Cowl: The lightweight painted fiberglass cowl is removable for easy engine or electric-motor installation, service access, and clean integration of the nose gear system.
• Large Top-Loading Canopy Hatch: A quick-release canopy hatch gives convenient access to the fuel tank, flight batteries, receiver equipment, and onboard electronics without removing major airframe components.
• Pre-Cut, Color-Matched PET Wing Fillets: Precisely trimmed PET wing-to-fuselage fairing panels are supplied ready for installation, creating a smooth and continuous transition between the wing and fuselage. This eliminates difficult hand-cutting by the modeler and delivers a cleaner, more refined factory finish.
• Premium Factory-Applied Covering: High-quality heat-shrink covering in the Pearl Blue and Cub Yellow trim scheme provides excellent in-flight visibility and a clean, competition-inspired finish.
• Glow and Electric Power Compatible: Designed for .61–.75 two-stroke or .91 four-stroke glow engines, as well as a 60E-size brushless electric power system.
• Complete Quality Hardware Package: Includes the essential hardware for glow or electric installation, fixed landing gear setup, and efficient final assembly.

Flight Character

Designed to deliver the smoothness, precision, and graceful maneuver presentation that defined the Golden Era of classic Pattern aerobatics, the Dirty Birdy 65″ retains the practicality and reliability expected from a modern Seagull Models ARF.

Positioned between traditional sport aerobatic models and full competition Pattern aircraft, it offers the smooth tracking, energy retention, and precision maneuver capability that made Joe Bridi’s design one of the most influential American Pattern aircraft of its era.

The Dirty Birdy 65″ delivers the smooth, locked-in feel that made classic American Pattern aircraft legendary. It tracks with exceptional precision through large maneuvers, maintains energy with remarkable consistency, and provides predictable response throughout precision aerobatic sequences.

Despite its true Pattern heritage, the aircraft remains forgiving at lower speeds and highly enjoyable for relaxed everyday sport flying. Large loops, smooth rolling circles, and flowing Pattern sequences feel natural and effortless—capturing the character that made the original Dirty Birdy a favorite among American Pattern pilots.