1) Follow the instruction sequence will avoid repeating steps.
2) Before installing 2mm short sheet metal (SM) screws, drill a pilot hole using a #56 (.046) drill.
3) Before installing #1 wood screws, drill a pilot hole using a #56 (.046) drill.
4) Center all servos using the radio equipment before installing all servos into the aircraft.
5) Control line installation, a) Tie a slip knot at the horn end of the control line. b) Install a snap hook on the control horn. c) Hook spring between control line and snap hook d) Note: Refer to the rudder or elevator instructions for more details. Pull knot from tail end to tighten control line. When in position, place a small drop of thin CA on the knot and hold until dry. e) Block or shim servo arm from rotating in either direction before proceeding with control line installation.
II Fuselage Assembly
1) Motor Mount - Install “Beam” style mount when using the motor provided with this model (If you purchased the package with motor). Insert tabs on mount into the vertical slots in the firewall. Slide mount down until even with the mounting tabs. Note: Slots may require slight filing for mount to bottom against tabs and should not fit loose. If you don’t want to use stick mount, this ARF kit comes with another motor mount fit with most of brushless motors.
2) Motor / ESC - Slide ESC wires and ESC into slot above motor mount in firewall. Wires should extend to battery compartment. Install 2mm short SM screws on each side of the motor mount.
3) Cowl – Install cowl over motor and onto the fuselage. Position cowl and tape into position so that motor shaft protrudes approximately 1 inch from the face of the cowl. Install (3) 2mm SM screws through the cowl and into the edge of the firewall at the top center and on each side of the fuselage approximately 1 inch from the bottom edge of the cowl.
4) Horizontal & Vertical Stabilizers – (See Photos #1 and #3) Move control lines from rear of the fuselage and re-tape forward of tail. Insert tabs on vertical stabilizer (V Stab) into the slots on the horizontal stabilizer (H Stab). Slide assembly into the top rear of the fuselage. And align the two holes on the underside of the H Stab using two 2mm pins tapered on the ends (not provided). When aligned, remove the forward pin and insert the long 2mm screw with a washer under the head through the hole. Place a washer and nut on the screw and tighten. Do not crush the wood under the screw. Repeat the installation for the rear pin using the short 2mm screw. Place a small drop of thin CA at the end of the screw and nut.
5) Tail Skid – (See Photo #1& #4) Install the tail skid into the hole provided at the bottom rear of the fuselage. Install a 2mm short SM screw in the u- shaped bend in the skid.
6) Rudder & Elevator Servos – (See Photo #2) Prior to installing servos, tape the ends of the control lines to the areas where they will be installed. Install (2) servos in the fuselage cutouts provided using #1x3/8” wood screws. Note: Position the servos so that the servo arms are centered in the fuselage.
7) Rudder Control Lines – (See Photo #3 and General Instructions)) a) Using the rearward mounted servo, install the pre-tied rudder line snap hooks to the outer most holes in the servo arm. b) Place a ¼”x3/8” balsa strip across the V Stab and rudder then clamp using plastic or rubber tipped light duty clamps. c) Prepare the rudder control lines per the general instructions. d) Tighten one of the rudder lines so that the coil spring is expanded approx. 1/8” then place a small drop of thin CA on the knot. e) Remove clamps and balsa from the rudder and tighten the opposite control line until the rudder is centered then place a small drop of thin CA on the knot. Remove the shims or blocks holding the servo arm.
8) Elevator Control Lines – (See Photos #3 & #4 and General Instructions)) a) Using the forward mounted servo, install the pre-tied elevator line snap hooks to the outer most holes in the servo arm. The control lines from the upper horns are placed on one end of the servo arm and the upper lines are placed on the opposite side. b) Place a ¼”x3/8” balsa strips across the H Stab and Elevators then clamp using plastic or rubber tipped light duty clamps. c) Prepare the elevator control lines per the general instructions. d) Separately tighten each of the lower elevator lines so that the coil springs are expanded approx. 1/8” then place a small drop of thin CA on the knots. e) Remove clamps and balsa from the elevators and tighten the opposite control lines until the elevators are centered then place a small drop of thin CA on the knots. Remove the shims or blocks holding the servo arm.
III Wing Assembly
1) Aileron Servos - (See Photo #5) Cut the covering to allow servo arms to protrude from the servo tray. Drill the outer hole on one side of the servo arms using a #58 (.042) drill. Mount servos with single sided long arms onto the servo trays using #1 wood screws. Install 9” servo cable extensions (not provided) on each servo and sew the connectors together with thread. Tie the extension cable to the string installed in the wing servo cavity. Retrieve the end of the string through the opening at the center of the wing. Pull the servo extension through the wing and through the access hole at the center of the wing. Install the servo mount into the wing with (4) 2mm short SM screws.
2) Aileron Control Rods - (See Photo #5) Install the elevator control horns by puncturing the covering through the holes provided in the ailerons in-line with the servo arms. Place a drop of CA on both sides of the horns. Drill a hole in the outer most hole in the horns using a #59 (.041) drill and install Micro E-Z connectors (not provided) through the outer holes in the control horns. Install the control rod z-bend side into the outer servo arm holes and the straight end through the E-Z connector then center the ailerons and tighten the connectors.
IV Final Assembly
1) Radio Equipment – Install receiver into the fuselage and connect the ESC, elevator servo, rudder servo, and a 6” Y-harness (not provided) from the receiver to the aileron servos through the forward cockpit. The aileron servos will be connected after wings are assembled to fuselage.
2) Wing / Fuselage – Remove the four screws and nuts from the cabane tabs on the upper wing and loosen the other strut screws for ease of assembly. Tape the swivels to the lower wing to keep the flying wires from interfering with assembly. Using a drill, clean the holes in the cabane struts and wing tabs so that mounting screws are free to install. Slide the fuselage through the center of the upper and lower wings from the rear. Route the battery harness from the ESC through the battery compartment as you assemble the wing to the fuselage. Position the fuselage cabane struts and wing tabs as shown in photo #6. Install the two rear screws, swivels and nuts, do not tighten. Install the two forward screws by stretching the flying wires with a wooden dowel to position the swivel and screw. Install the screws and nuts.
3) Landing Gear – (See Photo #7)Install the nylon wing bolts through the bottom of the wing and install the landing gear under the heads of the bolts and tighten bolts and landing gear against the wing.
4) Propeller – Install the propeller with a nut installed in the recess on the rear hub of the propeller. Screw the propeller on to the motor shaft. Install spinner hub, washer and nut against the propeller hub then install the spinner nose to the spinner hub.
5) Surface Deflections – All control surface deflections should be set at ½” in both directions. Adjust if necessary before flying.
6) Center of gravity (CG) - The CG should be 37mm from the leading edge of the upper wing. Add the necessary weights to balance the aircraft before flying.