Order No M. Building Instructions TAXI SPORT II. For two-stroke engines of around 7.46 cc capacity and electric motors

Transcription

1 Order No M Building Instructions TAXI SPORT II For two-stroke engines of around 7.46 cc capacity and electric motors This model requires a four-function radio control system GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors. 12/2010 Made in Vietnam 1

2 Specification Wingspan approx mm Fuselage length excl. spinner approx mm Wing area approx dm² Tailplane area approx. 9.0 dm² Total surface area approx dm² All-up weight according to fittings approx g Longitudinal dihedral approx. 0.5 Downthrust and sidethrust built-in as standard Caution: this model is not a toy! If you are a beginner to this type of powered model, please ask an experienced model flyer for help and support. If you attempt to operate the aeroplane without knowing what you are doing, you could easily injure yourself or somebody else. Please keep your safety and well-being in mind at all times. Important: before you start construction Even if you have already built a large number of RC models please read right through these instructions and check that all the kit components are actually present. We have taken great trouble to keep construction as simple as possible, without making any compromises in the area of safety. Check that the radio control system works correctly and at full range before every flight: switch on the transmitter and the receiving system, and extend the transmitter aerial to its full length; walk away from the model, and check that all the control surfaces work smoothly and immediately at an appropriate distance; check also that they deflect in the correct sense in relation to the stick movements. If you are a relative beginner to this type of model flying, we recommend that you enlist an experienced model pilot to help you check and test-fly the model. RC system components and the control surface linkages must be installed at the appropriate stage of construction, as it may be very difficult or even impossible to fit them later. When you are buying a radio control system it is important to ensure that the transmitter and receiving system are designed for use with model aircraft, and are approved by your national Post Office approvals authority. All RC units should possess an FTZ series approval number. Please remember that other radio systems and radio-frequency apparatus are also permitted to operate in the frequency ranges used by model radio control equipment, and there is no guarantee that your system will not suffer interference caused by such apparatus. Depending on where you operate the model, you may need to purchase a licence to operate a radio control system for model aircraft on the approved channels in the 35 MHz band. If you are not sure whether this applies to you, contact your nearest Post Office Telecommunications office. Your local model shop will also have this information. Note regarding the film covering Minor creases or bubbles may develop in the film covering due to major fluctuations in weather conditions (temperature, humidity etc.); in rare cases you may even find a slight warp in a component. These minor faults are in the nature of film-covered builtup wooden structures, and can easily be corrected using a heat gun, as commonly used for modelling. 2

3 Creases: Blow warm air over the area and rub down with a soft cloth. Wing warp: Hold the panel twisted gently in the opposite direction to the warp, and apply warm air to remove the creases from the covering. Caution! do not heat the film more than is absolutely necessary. If the air or the iron is too hot, the film may melt and holes may be formed. This aeroplane is highly pre-fabricated and can be built in a very short time. However, the work which you have to carry out is important and must be done carefully. The model will only be strong and fly well if you complete your tasks competently - so please work slowly and accurately. When self-tapping screws have to be screwed into wood, apply a little white glue to prevent them shaking loose: just squirt white glue into the hole before fitting the screw. Additional accessories required Power plant and accessories Engine Propeller Order No. Order No. OS MAX 46 AX 28 x 15 cm 7.45 cc OS MAX 46 LA 7.64 cc x 15 cm Silencer Order No or or Electric motor and accessories Electric motor Order No. Propeller Order No. Flight battery Order No. Speed controller Order No. COMPACT 465 Z Radio control system The RC system must feature at least four channels and four servos. The transmitter should also include a servo reverse facility. We particularly recommend mx-16 to mc-24 computer systems. The model is designed for standard-sized servos, e.g. DES585 BB, Order No We recommend the following receiver battery: NH-800 RX, Order No , which should be maintained carefully before and after each flying session. Please note that 3

4 batteries of this type do not reach full capacity until they have been charged and discharged (cycled) several times. You will need two suppressor filters, Order No. 1040, to connect the aileron servos to the receiver, and two further extension leads, 100 mm and 180 mm long. For shock protection the receiver and receiver battery should be packed in soft foam, e.g. foam rubber, Order No Adhesives White glue, e.g. UHU coll, Order No Cellulose cement, e.g. UHU hart, Order No Cyano-acrylate ( cyano ), e.g. Order No Thread-lock fluid, e.g. Order No. 952 Accessories required for the glow engine version (not included) Synthetic oil-based fuel, to suit engine Fuel filter, e.g. Order No Fuel tubing, e.g. Order No Manual fuel pump, e.g. Order No Glowplug battery with glow clip, e.g. Order No Electric starter, e.g. Order No Starter battery, e.g. Order No Accessories required for the electric-powered version (see table) See the main FS catalogue for details of battery chargers Tools required (not included) Set of cross-point screwdrivers, flat-nose pliers, side-cutters, balsa knife or razor blade, set of twist drills, universal glowplug spanner, soldering iron. Please don t start assembling the model until you have checked the kit components and the building instructions, and are familiar with the construction procedure. If you are not happy with any component, kindly return it to your model shop without delay. 4

5 Assembling the TAXI SPORT II The wing panels Use your fingertips to locate the opening in one wing for the aileron servo, and remove the film over it using the tip of a hot soldering iron or a sharp balsa knife. Press the rubber grommets into the servo mounting lugs, followed by the brass tubular spacers, with the flange on the underside. The spacers are easier to fit if you slip them onto a suitable screwdriver first. Connect the appropriate extension cable to the servo lead, and fit a heat-shrink sleeve or adhesive tape round the connectors to prevent them working loose. Route the servo lead through the wing from the servo recess. Fit the servo in the opening as shown in the photo, drill 1.5 mm Ø pilot-holes for the retaining screws, and secure it using the screws supplied in the servo accessory pack. 5

6 Cut down the servo output lever as shown in the photo below. Fit the output arm on the servo output shaft, facing outward, i.e. towards the wingtip. This arrangement means that the servos do not need to be reversed; this may be useful if you are using a simple (non-computer) RC system. Place a setsquare on the wing as shown in the photo, and mark the position of the servo output arm linkage hole on the aileron, at right-angles to the control surface. Mark the position of the horn holes on the aileron, and drill 2 mm Ø holes at the marked points. 6

7 Fix the horn to the aileron using the pan-head screws and plastic spreader plate supplied. Tighten the screws just to the point where the horn cannot shift - take care not to over-tighten them. Snip off excess screw length using side-cutters before filing back the cut ends flush with the spreader plate. Locate the M2 threaded pushrod (180 mm long) and fit a locknut and clevis on the threaded end. Connect the clevis to the second hole from the outside of the aileron horn. Use a felt-tip pen to mark the point where the pushrod crosses the linkage hole in the servo output arm. 7

8 Use flat-nose pliers to bend the pushrod at right-angles at the marked point, and cut off excess pushrod material using side-cutters, leaving the bent end around 7 mm long. Connect the pushrod to the servo output arm and push the plastic keeper into place to secure it. Repeat the whole procedure with the second aileron servo. Installing the fin and tailplane The covering film over the slots for the fin and tailplane should be removed using the tip of a hot soldering iron. Please note that the iron should be a low-wattage type; the heat should be just enough to melt the film. Locate the slots with your fingertips, and mark their outlines with a felt-tip pen. Pierce the film with the tip of the hot bit, and run it all round the edge of the opening until the piece of film can be removed. Repeat the procedure in order to open up the slots for the rudder and elevator pushrods. Please note: two pushrods are used to actuate the elevators! Fit the tailplane and fin in their respective slots. Position the tailplane in such a way that it is at right-angles to the fuselage centreline when viewed from above, and projects an equal distance on both sides, as shown in the diagram below. 8

9 Now use a felt-tip pen to mark the outline of the fuselage on the tail panels. Melt the film by running a hot soldering iron just inside the marked lines, and peel away the excess film from the joint areas. The prepared tailplane and fin can now be glued to the fuselage, using either UHU coll (white glue) or UHU hart (cellulose cement). Position the panels exactly as described above, align them carefully, and tape them in place. Note that the fin must be at right-angles to the tailplane. Allow the glued joints to set hard before installing the steerable tailwheel unit: note that the tailwheel pivot axis should line up accurately with the rudder hinge axis. Mark the position of the screw-holes on the underside of the fuselage, and drill 1.5 mm Ø pilot-holes for the retaining screws. 9

10 Fix the tailwheel unit to the fuselage using the two retaining screws provided. The driver lug can now be attached to the bottom of the rudder, so that movement of the rudder is transferred to the tailwheel. Fit the plastic lug on the projecting wire, and fix it to the rudder using a single pan-head screw. Use a pair of side-cutters to snip off the excess length of the driver wire at a point about 2 mm aft of the plastic lug. 10

11 Installing the rudder and elevator horns Screw an M2 locknut and a clevis onto the threaded end of each rudder and elevator pushrod. Slip the pushrods into the plastic guide tubes and connect the clevises to the horns. The horns should be positioned on the control surfaces in such a way that the clevis linkage hole lines up exactly with the hinge pivot axis. Drill holes for the retaining screws in the control surfaces. Note that the rudder horn has to be modified to the shape shown in the photo below. With the horns in place, file the projecting screw ends flush with the spreader plate. The rudder and elevator servos must now be centred accurately: connect the receiving system, switch the transmitter on and check that the associated trims are at centre. Install the servos in the servo plate, positioned in such a way that the pushrods coincide exactly with the linkage holes in the servo output arms. Drill 1.5 mm Ø pilotholes for the servo retaining screws, then fix the servos in this position using the screws supplied in the accessory packs. 11

12 Mount the swivel pushrod connector in the outer hole of the throttle servo output arm as shown in the photo. Note that the retaining screw should be tightened just to the point where the barrel rotates smoothly, but without any slop. Set the servos to centre, tape the tail control surfaces at neutral, then mark the point on the pushrods where they cross the linkage holes in the servo output arms. Link the two elevator pushrods using the Duo pushrod connector before connecting the unit to the elevator servo using a short pushrod attached to the central hole. As described for the aileron servos, bend the pushrods at right-angles at the marked point, cut off excess pushrod material, and connect them to the servo output arms. Attaching the undercarriage The first step here is to drill holes in the wheel spats for the wheel axles. Extend the holes on the inside faces to form open-ended slots, as this makes it easier to install the spats. Attach the wheels to the undercarriage legs as shown below. Each requires a wheel axle, two collets and two nuts, which must be secured with a drop of UHU thread-lock fluid. 12

13 The photographs above clarify the method of fitting the wheels: on the left the wheel spat and a cross-section through the wheel, on the right the system minus the wheel. Once the wheels and spats are fitted, the undercarriage legs can be attached to the fuselage using the retaining screws provided. Apply a drop of UHU thread-lock fluid to all the screws to prevent them working loose. Installing the glowplug engine and silencer This section describes the installation of the OS MAX 46 AX only. Place the engine on the mount with both mounting lugs seated squarely on the mount arms. The distance between the firewall and the front face of the propeller driver should be 113 mm. You can now mark the position of the holes for the engine mount on the firewall. Drill 2 mm Ø pilot-holes for the engine retaining screws (2.4 mm Ø pan-head selftappers). Connect the throttle pushrod to the carburettor arm and slip it into the plastic guide tube. Now fix the engine to the mount from above using the screws mentioned earlier. Connect the Z-bend of the throttle pushrod to the outermost hole in the carburettor throttle arm. Slip the plastic guide tube onto the throttle pushrod, then fit the pushrod through the hole in the firewall, slipping the plain end of the rod through the cross-hole in the swivel pushrod connector. 13

14 The engine / mount assembly can now be attached to the firewall using the M4 x 25 machine screws supplied in the kit. These screws must be secured with a drop of UHU thread-lock fluid to prevent them working loose. At this point the silencer can be mounted on the engine using the screws supplied. Assembling and installing the fueltank Cut a piece of fuel tubing and push it onto the fueltank clunk pick-up. Push the free end of the fuel tubing onto the straight tube in the fueltank stopper, and check that the pick-up will be able to move freely inside the tank without binding or jamming when the stopper is in place. Push the tank stopper, complete with pick-up and preformed tubes, into the throat of the fueltank. Note that one tube must face down (for filling the tank). The tube pointing up acts as the overflow when refuelling, and is connected to the pressure nipple on the silencer prior to flying. Mark the three fuel lines which exit the tank stopper (fuel feed, filler tube, pressure line). Push the stopper into and over the throat of the tank and tighten the cross-point screw to clamp it in place. It is essential to tighten the screw to the point where the tank is completely sealed. The fueltank can now be installed in the tank compartment immediately aft of the firewall. Pack foam rubber round it to absorb vibration and prevent it shifting in flight. 14

15 Push the prepared fueltank into the fuselage and thread the fuel lines through the hole in the firewall. Glue the tank support behind the fueltank to hold it in place. Connecting the fuel lines Connect the silicone fuel line running from the clunk pick-up to the carburettor fuel nipple, and the tube from the overflow to the pressure nipple on the silencer. The fuel tube marked as the filler should be routed out of the cowl so that the tank can be filled through it. Seal the tube before each flight using a sealing nipple, Order No Please note that fuel will run out of the overflow (pressure) line when the tank is full. Take care not to fill the silencer with fuel. The cowl can now be fitted, along with the propeller and the spinner. It is important to check at regular intervals that the propeller retaining screw or nut is still tight. The next step is to cut or file out openings in the cowl to clear the cylinder head, the silencer and the needle valve; the position and extent of the openings vary according to the engine you are using. Note that the needle valve must be extended with a scrap piece of pushrod material, so that you can still adjust it with the cowl in place. Attach the cowl to the fuselage using four pan-head self-tapping screws, as shown in the photos. 15

16 Installing the switch in the fuselage The ON / OFF switch for the receiving system can be installed below the hatch on either side of the fuselage. Cut and file out an opening at the appropriate point to suit the switch toggle or slider you wish to use. Secure the switch unit in the fuselage side using the retaining screws supplied with it. Installing the electric motor Mark the position of the fixing screw holes on the firewall to suit the motor mount you intend to use, and drill holes in the firewall at the marked points to suit the retaining screws. The electric motor is mounted on stand-off pillars which are cut from the length of aluminium tube supplied in the kit. Cut four equal lengths of tube to suit your selected motor; the length is that required to maintain the correct spacing between firewall and spinner backplate, which - as with the glow-powered version - is around 113 mm. Install the electric motor as shown in the photograph. 16

17 The speed controller is fixed to the right-hand fuselage side using a single cable tie, as shown in the photo below. Cut down the fueltank support as shown in the picture to form the rear support for the flight battery, which prevents the pack sliding aft. Glue the support to the former. The flight battery is held down by a block of foam glued to the fuselage hatch. The foam, Order No , is an ideal material for this. Assembling the TAXI SPORT II We recommend that you permanently connect a suppressor filter, Order No. 1040, to receiver sockets 2 and 5, as this makes it easier to connect the aileron servos when rigging the model. Wrap the receiver battery in foam and secure it in the fuselage in such a way that it cannot possibly shift. Connect the two aileron servos to the extension leads, then connect the wing panels using the aluminium joiner tube before attaching the wing to the fuselage using the four plastic screws supplied in the kit. Balancing the TAXI SPORT II Assemble the aircraft completely, and support it on both sides of the fuselage at a point around 90 mm aft of the wing root leading edge. If the model is balanced correctly, it will hang level, ideally with the nose inclined slightly down. If necessary, correct the model s Centre of Gravity by re-positioning the battery, or by permanently installing nose or tail ballast. Before flying the aircraft, set the transmitter trims to centre and ensure that all the control surfaces are also exactly at centre (neutral). 17

18 Control surface travels Ailerons 10 mm up and down ) Elevators 11 mm up and down ) 30% Exponential Rudder 35 mm right and left ) Please note that the stated control surface travels are just a starting point; you may well wish to adjust them to suit your personal preference and flying style. Important: When fitting and adjusting the various linkages you should ensure that they move freely, without binding, are able to move to their full extent - including trim travel - and are not obstructed mechanically at any point. When you move the rudder stick to the right, the rudder should also deflect to the right (left stick: left rudder). Pull the elevator stick back towards you, and both elevators must deflect up (stick forward: elevators down). If you move the aileron stick to the right, the right aileron should rise, the left aileron fall. When you move the throttle stick forward, the motor should run at full power; pull the throttle stick back for idle. Move the throttle trim right back to its end-point, and the engine or motor should stop reliably. All that remains is to wish you many hours of pleasure flying your TAXI SPORT II. 18

19 Safety notes and warnings relating to model aircraft powered by internalcombustion engines Be sure to read right through the instructions covering assembly and operation of your model before you attempt to operate it for the first time. These safety notes are an integral part of the instructions. Please keep them and the operating instructions in a safe place. If you ever dispose of the model be sure to pass them on to the new owner. Powered model aircraft are very demanding and potentially dangerous machines, and call for a high level of technical knowledge and skill from the operator, together with a responsible attitude. Powered model aircraft are not suitable for young persons under eighteen years of age. Young people should only be permitted to operate this model under the instruction and supervision of an adult who is aware of the hazards involved in this activity. The operator of the model must be in full possession of his or her bodily and mental faculties. As with car driving, operating a model aircraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not permissible under any circumstances. Radio-controlled model aircraft may only be employed for the purpose intended by the manufacturer. They must never be used as man-carrying machines. Any other use of this model is prohibited. A radio-controlled model aircraft can only work properly and fulfil your expectations if it is built very carefully and in accordance with the building instructions. Do not make any modifications of any kind to the design features or materials. If you wish to avoid injuring people and damaging property it is essential to be careful and painstaking at all stages of building and operating your model. Nobody would climb into a full-size light aircraft and try to fly it without completing a course of training first. Model flying is a skill which has to be learned in just the same way. We suggest that you ask for help from an experienced model flyer, or join a model club or flight training school. Your local model shop and the model magazines are good sources of information. It is fundamentally essential to set the Centre of Gravity (C.G.) and control surface travels correctly. Adjust the model until they are exactly correct. Radio control system: satisfy yourself that your frequency is vacant before you switch on. Check your RC system regularly as its components eventually wear and need to be replaced or repaired. Radio interference caused by unknown sources can occur at any time without warning. If this should happen, your model will be uncontrollable and completely unpredictable. Never leave your radio control system unguarded, as other people might pick it up and try to use it. Your RC system can only work reliably if the batteries are kept fully charged. 19

20 Don t ignore our warnings. They refer to materials and situations which, if ignored, can result in fatal injury or permanent damage. You alone are responsible for the safe operation of your radio-controlled model aircraft and engine. If you have any questions regarding the safe operation of your RC model aircraft, please turn to your local model shop in the first instance as the staff will be pleased to help you. Propellers and other rotating parts which are powered by an engine represent a permanent hazard and present a real risk of injury. Don t touch them with any part of your body. For example, a propeller spinning at high speed can easily slice off a finger. Keep well clear of the rotational plane of the propeller. You never know when some part may come loose and fly off at high speed, hitting you or anybody else in the vicinity. Never touch the revolving propeller with any object. Take care with loose clothing such as scarves, loose shirts etc. Flapping cloth can easily be sucked into the area of the propeller and then get tangled in the blades. This is extremely dangerous. If there are passers-by or spectators at your flying site, make sure that they are aware of the dangers inherent in your activity, and insist that they keep a safe distance away (at least 5 m). Radio-controlled models should only be flown in normal weather conditions, i.e. a temperature range of -5 to +35 C. More extreme temperatures can lead to changes in battery capacity, material characteristics and other unwanted effects. Model fuels are toxic; do not allow them to come into contact with your eyes or mouth. Fuel should always be stored in clearly marked containers, out of the reach of children. Never run an internal combustion engine in an enclosed space such as a cellar, garage etc. Model engines produce lethal carbon monoxide gas just like full-size engines. Engines should only be run in the open air! Adhesives and paints contain solvents which may be hazardous to health under certain circumstances. Read and observe the notes and warnings supplied by the manufacturer of these materials. Model fuels are volatile and highly inflammable. Keep them well away from open flames, excessive heat, all possible sources of sparks and anything else which could result in a fire. Do not smoke in the immediate vicinity of fuel or fuel vapours. 20

21 Model engines generate a lot of heat. The engine and silencer in particular become very hot when running, and stay at a high temperature for quite a while. Touching the hot parts can give you serious burns, so take care especially when carrying out adjustments - wear protective gloves. Hot engines can even start a fire under certain circumstances. When the engine is running it expels hot toxic gases from the exhaust together with very hot fluid combustion residues which can burn you if you are not careful. Remove all unused fuel from the fueltank and engine after every session. Every time you intend to operate your model check carefully that it and everything attached to it (e.g. propeller, linkages, control surfaces etc.) is in good condition and undamaged. If you find a fault, do not fly the model until you have corrected it. Model engines are usually started with the help of an electric starter which should be fitted with the appropriate adaptor where necessary. With fixedwing models an alternative is to use a chicken stick - a length of thick wooden dowel with a piece of water hose pushed over it. Many model engines are very noisy, producing a sound level much higher than 85 db (A), which implies that you should wear ear defenders. Never run a engine without the silencer fitted. Even with a silencer, model engines can easily disturb your neighbours. Don t run engines when other people expect peace and quiet. If you start your engine when the model is standing on loose or sandy ground, the propeller will suck up sand and dust and hurl it around, and it could easily get in your eyes and do damage. Wear protective goggles at such times. Take care that the sparkplug / glowplug clip and lead cannot get tangled in the propeller or other rotating parts. Check the throttle linkage too. Take particular care when carrying the model with the engine running. Hold the rotating parts well away from you! Be sure to keep an adequate supply of fuel in the tank. Don t continue to fly the model until the tank is drained dry. Never fly directly over people. Never fly directly towards people. Keep a safe distance from residential areas: at least 1.5 km as the crow flies. The best solution is to join a model flying club and use the approved flying site. Always keep well clear of high-tension overhead cables. 21

22 Whenever you are working on the engine, make sure that you are on a safe surface and cannot slip. Get used to holding the model really securely. Take-off and landing strips should be kept free of unauthorised people and movable obstacles, particularly when a model is using the strip. Watch the aeroplane constantly while it is in the air. Models must always give way to full-size aircraft. Don t operate your aircraft from public roads, squares, school playgrounds, public parks or sports grounds etc., and ensure that you are always in full control of the model. It is important that you are able to stop your engine at any time. This is achieved by adjusting the throttle so that the barrel closes completely when you move the throttle stick and trim to their end-points. If this does not work, pinch the fuel feed line between your fingers or pull it off the carburettor. Never try to stop the engine by grasping the flywheel, propeller or spinner! All model flyers should behave in a manner which minimises the danger to people and property. Never act in any way which will disturb other flyers and jeopardise safe, orderly flying at the site. In legal terms our models are classed as aircraft, and as such are subject to legal regulations and restrictions which must be observed. Our brochure Modellflugrecht, Paragrafen und mehr (Model Aviation Law, Legal Requirements and more) is available under Order No , and contains a summary of all these rules. Your local model shop should have a copy which you can read. Models fitted with glowplug engines may only be flown with the landowner s permission, and third party insurance is mandatory. There are also Post Office regulations concerning your radio control system, and these must be observed at all times. Please don t misunderstand the purpose of these notes. We only want to make you aware of the many dangers and hazards which can arise if you lack knowledge and experience, or work carelessly or irresponsibly. If you take reasonable care, model flying is a highly creative, instructive, enjoyable and relaxing pastime. 22

23 Important Safety Notes You have acquired a kit which can be assembled into a fully working RC model when fitted out with suitable accessories. However, we as manufacturers have no control over the way you build and operate your RC model aircraft, nor how you install, operate and maintain the associated components, and for this reason we are obliged to deny all liability for loss, damage or costs which are incurred due to the incorrect use of our products or due to incompetent behaviour on the part of the user, or which are connected with such operation in any way. Unless otherwise prescribed by binding law, the obligation of the GRAUPNER company to pay compensation, regardless of the legal argument employed, is excluded. This includes personal injury, death, damage to buildings, damages due to loss of business or turnover, interruption of business or other direct or indirect consequent damage whose root cause was the operation of the model. The total liability in all cases and under all circumstances is limited to the amount of money which you actually paid for the model. This model is built and flown at the sole and express responsibility of the operator. The only way to avoid injury to persons and damage to property is to handle and operate the model with the greatest care and consideration at all times. If you have not already done so, you must take out a special third-party insurance policy to cover the risks of RC model flying. These safety notes must be kept in a safe place. If you ever dispose of the model, be sure to pass them on to the new owner. Guarantee Conditions The guarantee provides for the replacement of any part or parts which exhibit proven manufacturing faults or material defects within the guarantee period of 24 months from the initial date of purchase. We will not entertain any claims which fall outside these restrictions. Costs of transport, packaging, freight and travel are payable by the purchaser. We accept no liability for transport damage. The product should be sent to GRAUPNER or to the approved Service Centre in your own country, together with an accurate, concise description of the fault and the invoice showing the purchase date. The guarantee does not cover damage to or failure of the product or model caused by an accident, incompetent handling or incorrect use. 23

24 The following points are important and must be observed at all times: Before you fly the model, check that the radio control system is working reliably, and that all connections are secure. The batteries must be charged and the range of the radio control system must be checked before you operate the model. In particular, the radio control system batteries must be fully charged before each session and checked before every flight. Ensure that the channel you intend to use is not already in use by other modellers. Never fly the model if you are not certain that your channel is free. Read and observe the instructions and recommendations provided by the manufacturer of your radio control system and accessory components. Ensure that the servos are not mechanically obstructed at any point in their travel. Dry cells and rechargeable batteries must never be short-circuited. Remove all batteries from the model prior to transporting and storing it. Do not subject the model to dirty or cold conditions, or high levels of humidity or heat. Secure the model and your RC equipment carefully when transporting them. They may be seriously damaged if they are free to slide about. Care and maintenance Clean the model carefully after every flight, and remove any dirt from the propeller. Clean the aeroplane and the RC components using suitable cleaning agents only. Ask your model shop for information if you are not sure. If the model is not to be operated for a considerable time it is important to clean and re-lubricate all the moving parts. Notes on building the model Before you start building the aircraft it is essential to study the plan and read right through the instructions. Please bear in mind the dangers inherent in the handling of tools. When preparing wiring, be sure to use cable capable of carrying the currents which will flow when the model is flying. Remove all traces of grease from the joint surfaces of components which are to be glued. A good method is to sand lightly before wiping with a non-greasy liquid detergent solution. The same applies to surfaces which are to be painted, otherwise the paint will not adhere permanently. Before gluing any GRP parts, and GRP fuselages in particular, the joint surfaces must be sanded thoroughly with fine-grit abrasive paper before de-greasing with a solvent such as acetone. This is the only method of obtaining durable glued joints involving GRP parts. 24