advanced scale models P-61 Black Widow User manual
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A S S E M B L Y INSTRUCTIONS
Kit Product Number A-ASM003
Wing Span: 66ft (20.1m) ●Length: 49ft 7in (14.1m) ●Height: 14ft 8in (4.4m)
Gross Weight: 35,853lb (16,260kg) ●Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney 2100hp R-2800 Radials
Maximum Speed: 425mph (684km/h) ●Range: 1,200mi (1932km) ●Service Ceiling: 46,200ft (14,081m)
Made in China All Contents Copyright © 2006 Advanced Scale Models Version 1 July 2006
History of the P-61 Black Widow
The heavily-armed Black Widow was the USA's rst
aircraft specically designed as a night-ghter. In the
nose, it carried radar equipment which enabled its crew
of two or three to locate enemy aircraft in total darkness
and y into proper position to attack.
The XP-61 was ight-tested in 1942 and delivery of
production aircraft began in late 1943. The P-61 ew
its rst operational intercept mission as a night ghter
in Europe on July 3, 1944, and later was also used as
a night intruder over enemy territory. In the Pacic, a
Black Widow claimed its rst "kill" on the night of July 6,
1944. As P-61s became available, they replaced interim
Douglas P-70s in all USAAF night ghter squadrons.
During WW II, Northrop built approximately 700 P-61s;
41 of these were -C variants manufactured in the summer
of 1945 offering greater speed and capable of operating
at higher altitude. Northrop fabricated 36 more Black
Widows in 1946 as F-15A unarmed photo-reconnaissance
aircraft.
●Wing Span: 79.5 Inches (2019mm)
●Wing Area: 1010 Square Inches (65.42dm2)
●Length: 59.5 Inches (1511mm)
●Weight RTF: 13.75 Pounds (6.2kg) with Retractable Landing Gear and Doors
●Wing Loading: 31 Ounces Per Square Foot (95gr/dm2)
●Functions: Ailerons, Elevator, Rudders, Flaps, and Throttles (Retracts Optional)
●Radio Required: 5-6 Channel or More
●Engines Required: 2 x .52-.61 4-Strokes
● Advanced Lightweight Construction and Scale Outline
● Parts Prepainted and Precovered in Scale Color Scheme
● Machined-Aluminum Phneumatic Retracts and Oleo Struts Available
● Landing Gear Doors and Actuators Included
●Large Size, Yet Easy to Fly
●Strong, Prebent Wire Landing Gear and Lightweight Stand-Off Scale Wheels
●Includes a Generous Hardware Package
●Easy Assembly - Over 50 High-Resolution Digital Photos to Guide You
ASM P-61 BLACK WIDOW SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
The ASM P-61 features advanced lightweight construction giving the model great scale shape and details while maintaining a lighter weight for a better ying
scale model. The model comes from the box built and covered, leaving only nal assembly and radio/engine/optional retract installation. In the air, this model
ies as easy as most .60 size planes. The plane can be nished with working retract doors and beautiful aluminum-frame air-retracts (sold separately). So, the
pilot can truly achieve a scale look in the air and on the ground.
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● 1 x 5 - 6 Channel or More Radio Control System
● 2 x .52 - .61 4-Stroke Engines and 12 x 6" or 13 x 6" Propellers
● 2 x High-Torque, Low-Prole Servos for Ailerons
● 2 x High-Torque, Standard Servos for Flaps
● 5 x Standard Servos for Throttles, Rudders and Steering
● 1 x 24" and 36" Servo Extension Leads for Elevator Servo
● 6 x 12" Servo Extension Leads for Aileron and Flap Servos
● 4 x 12" Servo Extension Leads for Throttle and Rudder Servos
● 4 x Y-Harnesses for Ailerons, Flaps, Rudders and Throttles
● 1 x 5 Cell (6 Volt) 1100mAH or greater Capacity Receiver Battery
● 2 x Remote Fueling Valves
● Five and Thirty Minute Epoxy
●Thin and Thick C/A
● C/A Debonder and Rubbing Alcohol
● Assorted Modeling Tools (i.e., Modeling Knife, Screwdriver, Hex Wrenches, Etc.)
● Assorted Modeling Supplies (i.e., Sandpaper, Sanding Block, Airplane Stand, Paper Towels, Etc.)
Optional Phneumatic Retract Installation
● 1 x ASM Retract Set and Control System for P-61 Black Widow (P/N ASM-ARS02)
● 1 x ASM Landing Gear Strut Set for P-61 Black Widow (P/N ASM-CSS02)
● 1 x Standard Servo for Retract Air Control Valve
This R/C airplane is not a toy! If misused or abused, it can cause serious bodily injury and/or damage to property. Fly only in open areas and
preferably at a dedicated R/C ying site. We suggest having a qualied instructor carefully inspect your airplane before its rst ight. Please carefully
read and follow all instructions included with this airplane, your radio control system and any other components purchased separately.
SAFETY WARNINGS
ADDITIONAL ITEMS NEEDED TO COMPLETE ASSEMBLY
Because of the number of servos and servo extension leads used, we strongly suggest the use
of a 5 cell (6 Volt) 1100mAH or greater capacity receiver battery.
As an alternative to purchasing multiple servo extension leads, you may want to purchase a bulk
spool of servo wire and connectors and make your own custom-length extension leads.
CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION
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TIPS FROM THE PROS
● During the covering process, sometimes color may smear slightly from the seams. If you see any smeared colors on the covering
material, it can be quickly removed by simply wiping it off with a paper towel and a small amount of Acetone.
● Make sure to test-t the parts before applying glue. This will ensure that the parts t together properly before gluing them together.
● When gluing anything that has a smooth surface, it's important to lightly roughen the gluing surfaces with 220 grit sandpaper. This
will allow the glue to stick better. Also, never glue directly to the covering material. Always remove the covering material from the
gluing surfaces prior to gluing the parts together.
● When cutting away the covering material from the gluing surfaces, be careful to cut only through the covering material. Try not cut
down into the balsa structure because that can compromise the integrity of the airframe.
● We do not suggest storing your airplane in an extremely hot environment (like the back of your car in direct sunlight) for any length
of time. The extreme heat could cause the covering material to wrinkle or sag and possibly damage the fragile components of the
radio control system.
● Epoxy can be cleaned up before it dries using rubbing alcohol and C/A can be cleaned up before it dries using C/A Debonder.
● Make a U-Shaped bend in one end of a long piece of scrap pushrod wire and use it to help pull the servo extension leads through
the wing panels.
● The control horns are mounted to the control surfaces using wood screws. Even though the wood screws thread into plywood
plates, apply a small amount of 5 minute epoxy to each screw before you install it, for extra security.
● When you plug servo extensions onto the servo leads, apply masking tape or heat-shrink tubing over the plugs to prevent any
chance of them pulling apart during assembly, or worse, during ight.
● Apply threadlocking compound to any screws that thread into metal. This will ensure the screws can't vibrate loose during ight.
● Apply lightweight oil or petroleum jelly to the pivot point of the rudder hinges and the landing gear door hinges (if applicable) to
prevent epoxy from gluing the hinges solid.
● Before ying the airplane for the rst time, make sure to go through and double-check everything. Check that all the hinges are
glued solidly, all bolts and screws are tight, etc. Double-check the operation of the landing gear, too, if using the optional retractable
landing gear.
ADVANCED SCALE MODELS P-61 BLACK WIDOW FINAL ASSEMBLY
STEP 1: HINGING THE AILERONS AND FLAPS
❑ Hinge the ailerons to the wing panels, using the six C/A-style hinges
provided and a generous amount of thin C/A. Make sure that the tip of
each aileron is even with the wing tip and that the hinge gap is as tight
as possible to prevent utter.
Push two T-Pins through the center of each hinge to help
keep the hinges centered while you hinge the ailerons. Make sure to
remove the T-Pins before you push the ailerons into their nal positions.
This will ensure a tight hinge gap.
❑ Hinge the aps to the wing panels, using the four C/A-style hinges
provided. Use the same techniques that you used to hinge the ailerons.
Notice that the aps are hinged along the bottom of the wing.
The inboard edge of the aps should be approximately
1/16" (1.6mm) inside the root rib of the wing panels. This will prevent
the aps from hitting the center wing panel when lowered.
CONTINUED
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STEP 2: INSTALLING THE AILERON AND FLAP CONTROL LINKAGE ASSEMBLIES
❑ Install one aileron servo into each wing panel. Each servo output
shaft should be toward the leading edge. You will need to install a 12"
long servo extension lead to each servo and run it through the wing.
❑ Install the control linkages, using two threaded pushrod wires, two
control horns, two clevises and four wood screws provided. Each
control horn should be positioned approximately 4-1/4" (108mm) out from
the inboard edge of the aileron.
You may need to trim the servo mounting rails and/or the servo cutout in the outer wing panel to t your servos.
❑ Install one ap servo into each wing panel. Each servo output shaft
should be toward the trailing edge.
❑ Install the control linkages, using two threaded pushrod wires, two
control horns, two clevises and four wood screws provided. See the
important note below about positioning the ap control horns.
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE ENGINES
❑ Install one engine mount assembly and one engine onto each fuselage
boom, using the socket-cap screws, machine screws, washers and nuts
provided.
Each engine's drive washer should be 4-1/2" (114mm)
out from the rewall to line up correctly with the cowlings. Note that
the engines should be mounted on their sides, toward the right side of
the fuselage booms, too.
The engine mounting beams are adjustable to t the width of different sized engines. Make sure that when you
adjust the width of the mounting beams to t your engines, that you keep the mounting beams centered on the rewall.
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE THROTTLE CONTROL LINKAGE ASSEMBLIES
❑ Install your throttle servos and connect the throttle linkages, using the
pushrod wires and adjustable connectors provided.
☞ Install the adjustable connectors 1/2" (13mm) out from the center of
the servo arms to prevent the pushrods from interfering with the fuel tanks
when they're installed later. Cut away the excess servo arm material.
Make sure that you install and connect both throttle
linkages exactly the same way, so that both throttles will be synced as
closely as possible during ight.
Apply a drop of thin C/A to the nut on each adjustable
connector to keep them from coming loose during ight.
The control horn on the left wing panel should be positioned approximately 6" (152mm) out from the inboard edge of
the ap and the servo arm should point toward the wing tip. The control horn on the right wing panel should be positioned approximately
4-3/8" (111mm) out from the inboard edge of the ap and the servo arm should point toward the root end. Having both servo arms
point in the same direction will allow you to use a standard Y-Harness and still make both servos move the same direction.
CONTINUED
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STEP 5: ASSEMBLING AND INSTALLING THE FUEL TANKS
❑Assemble each of the two fuel tank stopper assemblies, using one
straight tube and one 90º tube. The straight tube is the fuel pick-up tube
and the 90º tube is the vent tube.
☞ One of the 90º tubes included is not used.
❑ Install the stopper assemblies into the fuel tanks, making sure that
the 90º vent tubes are positioned toward the top of the fuel tanks.
☞ Check the lettering on the side of the fuel tanks to determine the top.
The lettering should face up.
Double-check to make sure that the clunks can move
freely inside the fuel tanks.
❑ Install the fuel tanks, making sure that the top of the fuel tanks are
toward the top of the fuselage booms. The front of the fuel tanks should
t rmly in the predrilled hole in the rewalls.
Make sure to secure the fuel tanks rmly into place and
double- check that they don't interfere with the throttle linkages. Silicone
sealant works well to secure the fuel tanks into place.
STEP 6: HINGING THE RUDDERS
❑ Hinge one rudder to each fuselage boom, using two plastic hinge
points and 5 minute epoxy. Make sure to push the hinges' pivot point
completely into the notch in the rudder to ensure a tight hinge gap.
IMPORTANT Apply Vaseline or machine
oil to the hinge pivot points to keep from
gluing the hinges solid.
STEP 7: INSTALLING THE RUDDER CONTROL LINKAGE ASSEMBLIES
❑Slide one pushrod guide tube through each slot, making sure that
the front of each guide tube passes through the space just below the
wing mounting plate, then glue the guide tubes to only the back of the
fuselage for now. Allow approximately 1" (25mm) of each guide tube to
extend out from the fuselage boom side.
❑ Install the two threaded pushrod wires, two control horns, two clevises
and four wood screws provided.
CONTINUED
❑ Cut out the molded rudder pushrod exit slot in the back of each fuselage boom.
Both rudders have a preinstalled plywood control horn mounting plate in the lower inside surface. You can see it just under the
covering material. Make sure that when you hinge the rudders, that the plywood plate is toward the inside of each fuselage boom.
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❑ Install your rudder servos into the servo trays. Notice the position of
the servo output shafts. They should be toward the back of the fuselage.
❑ Make a Z-Bend in the pushrod wires and connect them to the servo arms.
❑ Glue the front of the pushrod guide tubes to the bottom of the wing
mounting support bulkheads.
STEP 8: INSTALLING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR
❑ Install one plywood mounting plate onto the landing gear mounting
rails in each fuselage boom, using the eight large wood screws provided.
The front edge of each mounting plate should be 3/4" (19mm) behind the
front bulkhead.
There is one right and one left mounting plate. Make
sure that you install each mounting plate so that the predrilled hole in
the landing gear mounting slot is toward the inner mounting rail.
This step details the installation of the included xed main landing gear. If you will be installing retractable landing
gear, please skip ahead to page 13.
❑ Drill a 13/64" diameter hole through the landing gear mounting rail,
using the predrilled hole in each landing gear mounting slot as a guide.
❑ Insert the landing gear wires into the mounting slots and secure them
into place, using the four landing gear mounting straps and eight small
wood screws provided.
The coil in each landing gear wire should be toward
the back of the fuselage booms.
❑ Install the wheels, using the two wheel collars and two machine
screws provided.
STEP 9: INSTALLING THE COWLINGS
❑ Install three cowl mounting brackets onto each fuselage boom, using
the six smaller wood screws provided. Make sure that the brackets are
ush with the fuselage boom sides and that the U-Shaped side is toward
the outside.
Position one bracket at the 12 O'Clock
position, one bracket at the 8 O'Clock position and one
bracket at the 4 O'Clock position.
❑ Test-t and cut out each cowling for your engines and mufers. When aligned properly, the back edge of each cowling should overlap
the rewall 1-1/4" (32mm). For our four-stroke engine installation, we routed the mufers out the bottom, center of each cowling.
CONTINUED
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❑ Install a remote fueling valve into each cowling to make it easy to fuel
the airplane, then install the cowlings to the fuselage booms, using the
six large wood screws provided.
❑ Install your propellers and each spinner, using
the two sheet metal screws provided.
❑ Locate and drill 5/32" diameter holes through each cowling for the mounting screws.
STEP 10: INSTALLING THE NOSE GEAR
❑ Install the nose gear onto the nose gear mounting rails in the center
fuselage pod, using the four large wood screws provided. The front edge
of the nose gear mounting base should be pushed up against the forward
bulkhead.
❑ Install the wheel, using the wheel collar and machine screw provided.
This step details the installation of the included xed nose gear. If you will be installing retractable landing gear,
please skip ahead to page 13.
STEP 11: INSTALLING THE STEERING CONTROL LINKAGE ASSEMBLY
❑Fit and glue the plywood servo tray into the slot in the forward and
center bulkheads.
❑Cut the length of pull-pull cable in half and secure one end of each
cable to each of the steering couplers, using two of the crimp collets
provided.
Apply a drop of
thin C/A to the crimp collets for
an extra measure of security.
❑ Install your steering servo into the servo tray. Notice the position of
the servo output shaft. It should be toward the back of the fuselage.
❑Connect the pull-pull cables to the servo arm, using the two threaded
couplers, two crimp collets and two clevises provided.
Make sure that the pull-pull cables are adjusted taught,
but not so tight that they put strain on the servo or nose gear.
CONTINUED
The steering servo cutout should be toward the front of the fuselage.
8 CONTINUED
STEP 12: INSTALLING THE COCKPIT DECK AND WINDOW GLASS
❑Fit and glue the plywood cockpit deck into the slots in the three forward
bulkheads. When positioned properly, the back edge of the cockpit deck
should be ush with the back of the rear-most bulkhead (wing mounting
bulkhead).
❑ Cut out the forward window glass along the molded scribe line.
❑ Install the window glass into the fuselage and glue it securely into
place.
You'll need to squeeze the window glass to slide it
through the opening in the wing mounting bulkhead.
❑Cut out and install the rear window glass, using the same techniques
that you used to cut out and install the forward window glass.
❑ Glue the glass cone to the back of the fuselage.
The elevator has a preinstalled plywood control horn mounting plate. You can see it just under the covering
material. Make sure that when you hinge the elevator, that the plywood plate is toward the bottom of the stabilizer and
that it's lined up with the slot in the servo mounting hatch cover in the bottom of the stabilizer.
STEP 13: HINGING THE ELEVATOR
❑ Hinge the elevator to the stabilizer, using the four C/A-style hinges
provided and a generous amount of thin C/A. Make sure that the elevator
is centered between the tips of the stabilizer and that the hinge gap is as
tight as possible to prevent utter.
The tips of the elevator will not be even with the tips of
the stabilizer. Make sure that the elevator is centered so that it won't
hit the fuselage booms when the stabilizer is installed.
If you are installing the optional retractable landing gear and landing gear doors, do not install the cockpit deck
and forward window glass until after installing the nose gear retract and landing gear door assemblies. You need to have access
through the cockpit to install the landing gear doors.
9CONTINUED
STEP 14: INSTALLING THE ELEVATOR CONTROL LINKAGE ASSEMBLY
❑Mount your elevator servo to the servo mounting hatch cover, using
the two plywood blocks provided.
☞ The servo arm should be centered in the slot in the hatch cover.
Make sure that you center both the elevator servo and the servo arm before installing your servo.
❑ Install the servo hatch cover, using the four small wood screws
provided.
❑ Install the control linkage, using the threaded pushrod wire, small
control horn, clevis and two wood screws provided.
❑ Attach a 36" (914mm) long servo extension to the servo, then run it
through the left half of the stabilizer.
Cut a notch in the bottom of the stabilizer where the
servo extension exits, just large enough to t the servo extension. This
notch will prevent the servo extension from being pinched when the
stabilizer is mounted to the fuselage boom.
STEP 15: INSTALLING THE STABILIZER AND THE CENTER WING PANEL
❑ Glue the two plywood wing-screw doublers to the top of the center
wing panel, making sure to line up the predrilled hole in each doubler with
the predrilled holes in the center wing panel.
☞The straight edge of each doubler should be toward the trailing edge
of the wing.
Below we show the layout of the servo extensions. We've done it in a way to make it more convenient when
assembling the airplane. All the servo leads feed into the center fuselage pod, where the receiver will be located. The servo leads
then run through the center wing panel and into each of the fuselage booms to plug into the throttle, rudder and elevator servos.
Other servo leads run through the center wing panel and out to the tips to plug into the aileron and ap servos. This allows easy
plug-in installation of all the servo leads when assembling the fuselage booms, center fuselage pod and the outer wing panels. All
the servo extension leads stay in the center wing panel.
❑Three holes are precut in the bottom of the center wing panel to run
your servo extension leads through. The hole in the top of the center
wing panel is for the optional retract air lines. Run the servo extensions
through the center wing panel as listed below:
Elevator: One 24" extension from outer hole (left side) to center hole
Rudders: One Y-Harness and two 12" extensions from center hole to outer holes
Throttles: One Y-Harness and two 12" extensions from center hole to outer holes
Ailerons: One Y-Harness and two 12" extensions from center holes to tip
Flaps: One Y-Harness and two 12" extensions from center holes to tip
10 CONTINUED
❑ Feed the elevator servo extension down through the slot in the left
fuselage boom and into the landing gear bay.
You may need to adjust the size of the precut slot in
the fuselage boom to prevent pinching the servo extension.
❑ Bolt the stabilizer to the fuselage boom, using one long machine screw
provided.
There is a blind nut preinstalled in the end of the
stabilizer for the machine screw, although it's difcult to see. Also,
make sure that the servo extension wire is not pinched between the
stabilizer and the fuselage boom.
❑Plug the throttle, rudder and elevator servo leads from the fuselage
boom into the servo extensions in the center wing panel, then install the
center wing panel onto the fuselage boom, using one shorter socket-cap
screw and washer provided.
❑ Install the second fuselage boom to the center wing panel and the
stabilizer, using the second long machine screw, shorter socket-cap screw
and washer provided. Make sure to securely tighten the mounting screws.
❑ Glue the two forward fuselage boom fairings to the center wing panel,
making sure not get any glue between the center wing panel and the
fuselage booms.
❑ Glue the two rear fuselage boom fairings to the center wing panel,
making sure not get any glue between the center wing panel and the
fuselage booms.
There are right and left rear fuselage boom fairings.
Double-check that you install them correctly.
STEP 16: INSTALLING THE BATTERY, RECEIVER AND SWITCH
❑ Install your battery, receiver and switch into the center fuselage pod.
Depending on where your airplane balances, you may
need to mount the battery in a different location. If you're using the
optional retracts, the air tank will mount in the back of the fuselage.
☞We ran the antenna out the bottom of the fuselage and secured it to
the bottom of the stabilizer.
11 CONTINUED
STEP 17: MOUNTING THE CENTER FUSELAGE POD
❑Plug the servo leads into your receiver and mount the center fuselage
pod to the center wing panel, using the two longer socket-cap screws
and two washers provided.
STEP 18: INSTALLING THE HATCH COVER
❑The hatch cover is held in place using two hatch latches - one
centered at the front and one centered at the back. Install them by cutting
a slot through the top of the hatch cover for the
latch handle and drilling a hole for the latch pin
through the plywood support bulkheads. Check
the t for smooth operation, then glue them to
the inside of the hatch cover.
❑ Locate the positions of the latch pins onto the front and rear wing
mounting bulkheads, then drill holes through the bulkheads for the pins
to slide into.
❑ Install the hatch cover and double-check that the hatch latches hold
the hatch cover securely in place.
STEP 19: INSTALLING THE OUTER WING PANELS
❑ Slide one aluminum wing joiner tube into one outer wing panel until
the tube bottoms out.
❑ While holding the wing joiner tube in place, drill a 7/64" diameter hole
through the wing joiner tube, using the predrilled hole in the bottom of
the wing panel as a guide.
You'll need to plug a Y-Harness between the steering servo and the rudder Y-Harness. Double-check that the nose
gear moves the same direction as both rudders.
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❑ Carefully thread one ange-head machine screw through the predrilled
hole and into the aluminum wing joiner tube. Tighten the screw gently.
Be careful not to overtighten it or you might strip the aluminum.
The machine screw will cut threads into the softer
aluminum without a problem. If you want to, you could use a 3mm tap
to cut the threads, but it's not really necessary.
❑Firmly push one outer wing panel tightly up against the center wing
panel.
❑ Repeat the previous procedures to install one ange-head machine
screw into the center wing panel.
❑ Repeat the previous procedures to install the second outer wing panel to the center wing panel, using the remaining two ange-
head machine screws provided.
When you disassemble the wing panels, we suggest leaving the wing joiner tubes installed in the center wing panel.
❑ Glue the radiator scoops onto the wing assembly. The shorter radiator
scoops are glued to the center wing panel and the longer radiator scoops
is glued to the outer wing panels.
If you have installed the optional retractable landing gear, make sure to balance the airplane with the landing
gear retracted.
BALANCING, CONTROL THROWS AND FLYING TIPS
The C/G is located 3-1/2" (89mm) back from the leading edge of the wing, measured at the sides of the center fuselage pod.
Ailerons: 7/8" (22mm) Up and 5/16" (8mm) Down
Elevator: 3/4" (19mm) Up and 5/8" (16mm) Down
Rudders: 5/8" (16mm) Right and 5/8" (16mm) Left
Flaps: Down As Much as Possible
The control throws are measured at the widest point of
the control surfaces.
● Because the landing gear retracts rearward, there will be a change in the airplane's trim. While the change in trim is small, it is
noticeable and you should be aware of it.
● When you deploy the aps, the airplane will have a tendency to balloon upward and will require some down elevator trim to
counteract this. We suggest the rst few times that you deploy the aps at altitude until you are familiar with the ight characteristics of
the airplane with aps down. You may want to program elevator/ap mixing in your transmitter so that the required amount of down
elevator is automatically commanded when you deploy the aps.
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OPTIONAL ASM RETRACTABLE LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION
STEP 1: INSTALLING THE MAIN GEAR RETRACT ASSEMBLIES
❑ Remove the wheels from the main gear struts.
❑ Install the main gear struts into the retracts, making sure that the struts
are lined up straight and that the scissor links are toward the front of the
retracts. Tighten the large socket-cap screw and the small grub screw
in the side of each retract to lock the struts into place.
❑ Install one retract assembly onto the landing gear mounting rails in
each fuselage boom, using the eight large wood screws provided. The
front edge of each retract mounting bracket should be 3/4" (19mm) behind
the front bulkhead.
❑ Reinstall the wheels onto the main gear struts.
STEP 2: INSTALLING THE NOSE GEAR RETRACT ASSEMBLY
❑ Install the nose gear strut into the retract, making sure that the strut is
pushed down rmly. Tighten the large socket-cap screw against the strut,
then back it off 1/4 of a turn. The strut should be held in place securely,
yet be able to rotate smoothly.
☞ Do not tighten the grub screw in the side of the retract.
❑Install the retract assembly onto the landing gear mounting rails in the
center fuselage pod, using the four large wood screws provided. The back
edge of the retract mounting bracket should be 1-1/2" (38mm) behind the
front bulkhead.
The retract mounting bracket slides through a slot in
the front bulkhead, allowing it to be positioned properly.
❑ Connect one length of airline tubing to each nipple on the retract assembly, long enough to reach back into the wing saddle.
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE AIR CONTROL VALVE
❑Mount the air control valve to the center wing panel, using the four
long wood screws provided.
❑ Install your retract servo and connect the air control valve linkage,
using the threaded pushrod wire and clevis provided.
☞ Note the direction of the servo output shaft. It should be toward the
trailing edge of the wing.
CONTINUED
14
STEP 4: INSTALLING THE AIR TANK AND FILL VALVE
❑ Install the air tank into the back of the center fuselage pod, using the
plywood support provided.
❑ Install the ll valve onto the fuselage side, making sure to tighten the
mounting nuts securely.
❑ Connect the air lines from the retracts, air tank and ll valve to the
air control valve, using the diagram at left. Use quick-connectors on the
air lines to make it easy to connect the air lines when assembling the
airplane.
OPTIONAL LANDING GEAR DOOR INSTALLATION
STEP 1: HINGING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DOORS
❑ Cut two notches 1/8" (3mm) wide on the hinge side of each main
landing gear door. Position one notch 1-3/4" (44mm) behind the front
edge of each landing gear door and one notch 2" (50mm) in front of the
rear edge of each landing gear door.
❑ Glue two hinges to each landing gear door, making sure that the
center of each hinge pivot point is centered with the edge of the landing
gear door.
❑ Glue one balsa block underneath each hinge mounting location on
the two fuselage booms.
❑ Drill a 1/8" diameter hole into the fuselage and through the balsa
blocks for the landing gear door hinges. Make sure to position the holes
so that the edge of each landing gear door is ush the outside edge of
the fuselage booms. The holes will need to be right up against the edge
of the fuselage booms.
❑ Test-t and hinge the landing gear doors to the fuselage booms. When
aligned properly, the landing gear doors should be ush with the fuselage
booms when closed and they should pivot freely.
You may need to sand the outer edge of the doors to
prevent them from hitting each other when closed.
CONTINUED
The air source is connected to the
middle nipple on the air control
valve.
The outer nipples on the air control
valve are for the UP and DOWN air
lines. It does not matter which one
is used for which purpose. The
only effect is that it changes which
position is up and which position is
down (which can be changed to the
pilot's preference by reversing the
retract switch on the transmitter).
The UP and DOWN air lines are
connected with "T" Fittings.
Fill Valve
Air Tank
Air Control
Valve
Nose Gear
Main Gear
Main Gear
15
STEP 2: INSTALLING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR DOOR ACTUATORS
❑ Glue one hinge into the precut slot in one end of each plywood plate.
❑ Glue one prebent wire bracket assembly onto the bottom of the
opposite end of each plywood plate. Each bracket assembly should be
centered over the plywood plate and ush with the back edge.
❑ Drill a 1/16" diameter hole through the center of each plywood plate.
Position each hole 1-3/8" (35mm) back from the hinged edge.
The wire leg on one side of each prebent wire bracket assembly is longer than the other leg. When assembling
the main landing gear door actuators, make sure to make one right and one left.
When you install the landing gear door actuator assemblies in the next procedure, make sure to install the right
actuator assembly into the right fuselage boom and the left actuator assembly into the left fuselage boom. It's important that the
shorter leg on the wire bracket assemblies are toward the inside of the fuselage booms. Also note that the hinge should be toward
the bottom of the plywood plate when mounted.
❑Hook the outer hole in each actuator horn over the wire brackets and
install the actuator horn onto the landing gear doors, using epoxy and the
eight wood screws provided. Position the center of each actuator horn 5/8"
(16mm) in front of the back edge and 3/4" (19mm) below the outer edge
of the landing gear doors. Angle the actuator horns slightly to line up with
the angle of the wire brackets.
❑ Carefully cut the wood screws off ush with the outside of the landing
gear doors.
Two of the four plastic actuator horns are cut shorter. These shorter actuator horns should be installed onto the
shorter leg of the wire brackets on the inside of the fuselage booms.
❑Test the functionality of the landing gear doors. When the main gear is down, the landing gear doors should be held open by the
springs. When the main gear is retracted, the wheels will hit the plywood plates and pull the landing gear doors closed. When the main
gear is fully retracted, the landing gear doors should be fully closed and ush with the outside of the fuselage booms. If the landing gear
doors are pulled below the outside of the fuselage booms, glue a 1/8" (3mm) wide plywood stop to the front and back of the landing gear
bay to keep the landing gear doors ush with the fuselage booms. If the landing gear doors need to be held wider apart when down,
gently bend the wire actuator legs apart slightly.
❑ Install the landing gear door actuator assemblies into the fuselage
booms, using the four wood screws provided. The front of each plywood
plate should be 5/16" (8mm) down from the top of the landing gear bulkhead
and the inside edge of each plywood plate should be 3/8" (10mm) from the
inside edge of the fuselage boom.
❑ Drill a hole just below the top of each landing gear
bulkhead 1/8" (3mm) in from the edge of the plywood
plate, then install the spring, as shown.
STEP 3: INSTALLING THE NOSE LANDING GEAR DOORS
❑ Hinge the nose landing gear doors and install the actuator, using the
same techniques that you used to install the main landing gear doors
and actuators. There are only a few differences: Position each hinge 1"
(25mm) in from the front and rear edges of the landing gear doors and
install the actuator assembly so that it's hinged from the top, not the bottom
like on the main gear actuators. The bottom of the plywood plate should
be even with the bottom of the U-Shaped cutout in the bulkhead.
16
OUR GUARANTEE
Advanced Scale Models guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This does not cover
any component parts damaged by use, misuse or modication. In no case shall Advanced Scale Models's liability exceed the original cost of
the purchased kit.
In that Advanced Scale Models has no control over the nal assembly or material used for nal assembly, no liability shall be assumed for any damage
resulting from the use by the user of the nal user-assembled product. By the act of using the nal user-assembled product, the user accepts
all resulting liability.
Distributed By:
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