Black Horse Model THUNDERBIRDS Owner's manual

Instruction Manual Book
Made in Vietnam.
Item code: BH144-A.
ALL BALSA - PLY WOOD CONSTRUCTION.
COVERED WITH ORACOVER
SPECIFICATION
- Wingspan : 1,400mm ( 55.12in)
- Length: 1,350mm (53.15in)
- Flying weight: 4kg (8.8lbs).
- Empty weight: 1.9 kg (4.18lbs).
- Wing area: 28dm2.
- Wing loading: 138g/dm2.
- Wing type: Naca airfoils.
- Gear type: Electric retract gear,
size: (73.5 x 44 x 28)mm (not included).
CNC Suspension Metal Struts (included).
- Size (29 x 13 x 30)mm.
Parts listing required (not included):
- Radio: 08 channels.
- Servo: 08 standard high torque servos.
- EDF: 90mm
- Battery: 2 Packs * 4 Cells LIPO 29,6V.
- Speed control: 100A.
Recommended EDF
and Battery set up (not included):
- EDF: 90mm, Minimum thrust 3.7kg.
Midi-fan evo/ HET 650-68-1500 WeMoTec.
- Lipo cell: 2 Packs * 4 Cells / 5000mAh 55C.
- ESC: 100A Phoenix Castle.

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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This instruction manual is designed to help you build a great  ying aeroplane. Please read this manual
thoroughly before starting assembly of your THUNDERBIRDS. Use the parts listing below to identify all parts.
FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY
1 (1) Fuselage.
WING ASSEMBLY
1 (1) Right wing half with pre-installed
aileron.
1 (1) Left wing half with pre-installed
aileron.
TAIL SECTION ASSEMBLY
1 (1) Vertical stabilizer with pre-installed
rudder.
1 (1) Horizontal stabilizer with
pre-installed elevator halves.
1 Some more parts.
1 HARDWARE PACK
1 Landing gear.....
Please trial  t all the parts. Make sure you have
the correct parts and that they  t and are aligned
properly before gluing! This will assure proper
assembly. THUNDERBIRDS ARF is hand made
from natural materials, every plane is unique
and minor adjustments may have to be made.
However, you should find the fit superior and
assembly simple.
The painted and plastic parts used in this kit are
fuel proof. However, they are not tolerant of many
harsh chemicals including the following: paint
thinner, C/A glue accelerator, C/A glue debonder
and acetone. Do not let these chemicals come in
contact with the colors on the covering and the
plastic parts.
To avoid scratching your new airplane, do not
unwrap the pieces until they are needed for
assembly. Cover your workbench with an old towel
or brown paper, both to protect the aircraft and to
protect the table. Keep a couple of jars or bowls
handy to hold the small parts after you open the
bag.
SUGGESTION
NOTE
Please be aware that this aeroplane is not a toy and if assembled or used incorrectly it is capable
of causing injury to people or property. WHEN YOU FLY THIS AEROPLANE YOU ASSUME ALL
RISK & RESPONSIBILITY.
If you are inexperienced with basic R/C  ight we strongly recommend you contact your R/C supplier
and join your local R/C Model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs offer a variety of training procedures
designed to help the new pilot on his way to successful R/C  ight. They will also be able to advise on any
insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
WARNING
1 Thick cyanoacrylate glue.
1 30 minute epoxy.
1 5 minute epoxy.
1 Hand or electric drill.
1 Assorted drill bits.
1 Modelling knife.
1 Straight edge ruler.
1 2mm ball driver.
1 Phillips head screwdriver.
1 220 grit sandpaper.
1 90° square or builder’s triangle.
1 Wire cutters.
1 Masking tape & T-pins.
1 Thread-lock.
1 Paper towels.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED
PARTS LISTING

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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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  lm more than is absolutely
necessary. If the air or the iron is too hot, the  lm may
melt and holes may be formed.
This model 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  y 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 and  t the screw.
Caution:
This model is not a toy!
If you are a beginner to this type of powered model,
please ask an experienced model  yer for help and
support. If you attempt to operate the model 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 built a large number of RC models
please read right through these instructions and
check all the kit components against the parts list.
We have taken great trouble to keep construction as
simple as possible, without making any compromises
in the area of safety.
Note regarding the  lm covering
Minor creases or bubbles may develop in the
 lm covering due to major  uctuations in weather
conditions (temperature, humidity etc.); in rare cases
you may even  nd a slight warp in a component.
These minor faults are in the nature of  lm-covered
built-up wooden structures, and can easily be
corrected using a heat gun, as commonly used for
modelling.
Creases: Blow warm air over the area and
rub down with a soft cloth.
+ This is not a toy
+ Be sure that no other  yers are using your radio
frequency.
+ Wear safety glasses.
+ The glow plug clip must be securely attached to
the glow plug.
+ Do not start the EDF if people are near.
SAFETY PRECAUTION
REPLACEMENT LARGE PARTS
A: Fuselage.
B: Wing panels. (B1,B2)
C: Plastic bomb top wing. (C1,C2)
D: Horizontal stabilizer (D1,D2)
E: Vertical stabilizer.
F1: Aluminium tube wing dihedral brace
F2: Aluminium tube horizontal stabilizer.
G: Decal sheet
L: Cockpit fuselage (L1, L2. L3).
B1
C1 C2
B2
D1 D2
A
F
E
G
F1
F2
L
L3
L2
L1

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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1. INSTALLING THE AILERONS
I. AILERON Assemble then apply drops of thin
C/A to center of hinge,on both sides.
Temporary pin to
keep hinge centered.
Test  t the ailerons to the wing with the hinges. If the
hinges don’t remain centered, stick a pin through the
middle of the hinge to hold it in position.
See pictures below:
2. INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS
1 1) Install the rubber grommets and brass
eyelets on to the aileron servos.
1 2) Us in g a model ing knife, r emo ve th e
covering from over the pre-cut servo arm exit hole on
the aileron servo tray / hatch. This hole will allow the
servo arm to pass through when installing the aileron
pushrods.
Servo tray
Remove the covering
REPLACEMENT SMALL PARTS
Bottom side.
2x10mm
5x30mm
3x12mm
3x15mm
3x4mm

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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1 4) Place the servo into the servo tray. Center
the servo within the tray and drill 1.5mm pilot holes
through the block of wood for each of the four mount-
ing screws provided with the servo.
Drill a hole
1.5mm
2x10mm
Secure
1 5) Repeat the procedure to install the aileron servos
in the opposite wing half.
1 1) Remove the covering from the slot on the bot-
tom of the aileron.
1 2) Insert the control horn into the slot and secure
it by A+B Epoxy glue.
1 3) Using the thread as a guide and using
masking tape, tape the servo lead to the end of the
thread: carefully pull the thread out. When you have
pulled the servo lead out, remove the masking tape and
the servo lead from the thread.
Drill a hole
1.5mm
Secure
Electric wire
Electric wire 1. A+B Epoxy glue
2. Push in
Aileron
control horn
4. INSTALLING THE AILERON LINKAGES
Installing the aileron linkages as pictures below.
100mm
Snap keeper.
M2 lock nut
Using pliers, carefully make a 90 degree bend down at
the mark made. Cut off the excess wire, leaving about
6mm beyond the blend.
1 3) Repeat the procedure to install the control horn
on the opposite aileron.

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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Repeat the procedure to install the second aileron
linkages in the opposite wing half.
After both linkages are completed. connect both of
the aileron servo loads using a Y-harness you have
purchased.
Insert the 90 degree bend down through the hole in the
control horn. Install one nylon snap keeper over the
wire to secure it to the control horn. Install the control
horn retaining screw and remove the masking tape
from the aileron.
II. INSTALLING THE FLAP
Flap install as same as the way of aileron. Repeat
step #1 - #4 on the part I (page 4,5) to install the  ap.
Flaslink
Pushrod wire Control horn
Bend and cut.
Silicone Tube III. INSTALLING ELECTRIC GEAR
RETRACTS
PARTS REQUIRED
Electric not included.
73.5mm
21mm
Only including oleo struts.
5x30mm
3x15mm
(Electric Not Included.)
5x30mm
Secure

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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PLASTIC BOMB TOP WING
Nose gear Main gear
Secure
Secure
Screw the gear in position.
Repeat the procedure for the other Gear. Repeat the procedure for the other Wing.
3x12mm
Drill a hole 2.5mm
and secure
See pictures below:
Use C/A glue to secure the plastic bomb to the wing.
C/A glue
Top and bottom side.

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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1 1) Elevator install as same as the way of aileron.
Please see pictures below.
1 2) Servo install as same as the way of aileron.
Please see pictures below.
146mm
Aluminium tube Horizontal stabilizer. 8mm.
Use C/A glue to secure the horizontal stabilizer to the
fuselage
Insert the horizontal stabilizer as pictures below.
Attach the aluminium tube into the fuselage.
Use A+B Epoxy glue to secure the horizontal
stabilizer to the fuselage.
2. A+B Epoxy glue
1. Push in
Push in
Push in
C/A glue
C/A glue

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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Use C/A glue to secure the vertical stabilizer to the
fuselage
Use A+B Epoxy glue to secure the vertical stabilizer
to the fuselage. Insert the vertical stabilizer as
pictures below.
VII. INSTALLATION VERTICAL
STABILIZER
Rudder install as same as the way of aileron.
Servo install as same as the way of aileron.
Please see pictures below.
C/A glue
IV. INSTALLING THE EDF
(ELECTRIC DUCTED FAN SYSTEM)
Drill 3 holes from the air outlet for the wires of EDF.
Hole
50mm
Slide the air outlet to the fuselage.
Bottom side.
Secure the EDF.
1. A+B Epoxy glue
2. Push in

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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VIII. INSTALLING NOSE GEAR
See picture below:
See picture below:
INSTALLING SERVO NOSE GEAR
wire cable.
wire cable.
X. INSTALLING THE RECEIVER,
ESC AND BATTERY
1 1) Plug the servo leads and the switch lead
into the receiver. You may want to plug an aileron
extension into the receiver to make plugging in the
aileron servo lead easier when you are installing
the wing. Plug the battery pack lead into the switch.
wire cable.
Servo nose gear
Drill a hole 2.5mm
and Secure
3x15mm
Trim
Drill a hole 2.5mm
and secure
3x12mm
1. Push in
2. Secure
3x4mm

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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Battery of EDF ESC
UBEC Battery of receiver
Locate the aluminium wing dihedral brace.
XI. WING ATTACHMENT
512mm
Aluminium tube. 12mm.
*** Test  t the aluminium tube dihedral brace into each
wing haft. The brace should slide in easily. If not, use
220 grit sand around the edges and ends of the brace
until it  ts properly.
Attach the aluminium tube into the fuselage.
Bottom side.
Receiver
Insert the wing panel as pictures below.
Screw the wing panel in position.
Push in
Push in
Bottom side.
Push in
Bottom side.
Secure
Open
and close
1 2) Wrap the receiver and battery pack in the
protective foam to protect them from vibration.
Use a rubber band or masking tape to hold the
foam in place.
1 3) Position the battery pack and receiver is as
picture below.
Do not permanently secure the receiver and battery
until after balancing the model.
1 4) Using a 2mm drill bit, drill a hole through
the side of the fuselage, near the receiver, for the
antenna to exit.
Bottom side.
Open
and close

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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Position the canopy so the rear frame on the canopy is
aligned with the rear edge of the cockpit opening. Use
canopy glue to secure the canopy to the canopy hatch.
Use low-tack tape to hold the canopy in position until
the glue fully cures. Wrap the tape completely around
the canopy hatch, as the tape does not stick well to
the covering. We used balsa sticks to hold the lower
edges of the canopy tightly against the canopy hatch.
1 1) It is critical that your airplane be balanced
correctly. Improper balance will cause your plane
to lose control and crash.
THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IS LOCATED
110 MM BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF
THE WING.
1 2) Mount the wing to the fuselage. Using a
couple of pieces of masking tape, place them on
the top side of the wing 110 mm back from the
leading edge, at the fuselage sides.
1 3) Turn the airplane upside down. Place your
 ngers on the masking tape and carefully lift the
plane.
Accurately mark the balance point on the top of the
wing on both sides of the fuselage. The balance
point is located 110 mm back from the leading
edge. This is the balance point at which your model
should balance for your  rst  ights. Later, you may
wish to experiment by shifting the balance up to
10mm forward or back to change the  ying charac-
teristics. Moving the balance forward may improve
the smoothness and arrow- like tracking, but it may
then require more speed for take off and make
it more dif cult to slow down for landing. Moving
BALANCING
Open and
Close
Installing the fuselage hatch as same as picture below.
2. Push in
Pillot
A/B Epoxy glue.
XIV. INSTALLING COCKPIT
FUSELAGE
See picture below:

THUNDERBIRDS Item code: BH144-A. Instruction Manual
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1 1) We highly recommend setting up a plane
using the control throws listed.
1 2) The control throws should be measured at
the widest point of each control surface.
1 3) Check to be sure the control surfaces move
in the correct directions.
Ailerons : 10mm up 10mm down
Flap : 30mm down.
Elevator : 12mm up 12mm down
Rudder : 15mm right 15mm left
CONTROL THROWS
the balance aft makes the model more agile with
a lighter and snappier ”feel”. In any case, please
start at the location we recommend.
With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of
the model installed ( ready to  y), and empty fuel
tanks, hold the model at the marked balance point
with the stabilizer level.
Lift the model. If the tail drops when you lift, the
model is “tail heavy” and you must add weigh* to
the nose. If the nose drops, it is “nose heavy” and
you must add weight* to the tail to balance.
*If possible,  rst attempt to balance the model by
changing the position of the receiver battery and
receiver. If you are unable to obtain good balance by
doing so, then it will be necessary to add weight to
the nose or tail to achieve the proper balance point.
110mm
10mm
10mm
30mm
12mm
12mm
15mm
15mm
Flap control
Aileron control
Elevator control
Rudder control
1 1) Completely charge your transmitter and
receiver batteries before your  rst day of  ying.
1 2) Check every bolt and every glue joint in
your plane to ensure that everything is tight and
well bonded.
1 3) Double check the balance of the airplane.
1 4) Check the control surface.
1 5) Check the receiver antenna . It should be fully
extended and not coiled up inside the fuselage.
1 6) Properly balance the propeller.
We wish you many safe and enjoyable
 ights with your THUNDERBIRDS.
PRE-FLIGHT CHECK

NEVER  y near power lines, aeri-
als or other dangerous areas includ-
ing airports, motorways etc.
Keep all onlookers (especially small
children and animals) well back
from the area of operation. This is
a  ying aircraft, which will cause
serious injury in case of impact with
a person or animal.
Always operate in open areas, away
from factories, hospitals, schools,
buildings and houses etc. NEVER
 y your aircraft close to people or
built up areas.
NEVER  y in wet conditions or on
windy or stormy days.
I/C FLINGT WARNINGS