Durafly GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 User manual

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1
DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY

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CONTENTS
12-17
18
19
19
20
21
22
23
24
24

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
INTRODUCTION:
SPECIFICATION:
The Gloster Gladiator was a British built biplane fighter, it was used by the Royal Air Force and
Fleet Air Arm during the late 1930's. It was the RAF's last, and ultimate biplane fighter airplane
to be manufactured, but it was also the first to feature an enclosed cockpit.
The Durafly version of this iconic biplane is a replica of the Shuttleworth Collections Gloster
Gladiator Mk1 "K9785", believed to be the only airworthy example flying in the world today.
"K9785" depicts the markings of No. 73 Squadron, that operated Gloster Gladiators at RAF
Mildenhall in England from 1937 to 1938.
The Durafly Gloster Gladiator is manufactured in strong EPO foam, to the usual high standards
you have come to expect from this range of RC airplanes. As all other Durafly models, it comes
"Plug N Fly", this means it is supplied with an easy to assemble airframe, installed motor and
ESC, and pre-installed servos. The attention to detail is superb from the blistered cowl, scale
exhausts, and scale streamlined landing gear with scale wheels. The ribbed wings, tail, and
stringered fuselage depicts a fabric covered airframe, and blistered machine gun housings make
this a model you will be proud to own.
Wingspan:1100mm (43.3”)
Length: 938mm (36.9”)
Flying weight: 1600g (56.4 oz)
Motor: 3719-770KV brushless outrunner.
Battery: 2200mah 4S 30C or more recommended (not supplied)
Channels: 4-6 channel required.
ESC: Aerostar 40amp w/BEC
Servos: 4 x 9g digital
Prop: 2 blade 11x7
1

CONTENTS:
1. Fuselage
2. Main Wings
3. Decal Sheet
4. Horizontal Stabilizer
5. Scale Detailing Parts
6. Scale Spinner w/Prop Adapter
7. Scale Landing Gear.
8. Large Diameter Scale Wheels.
9. Complete Accessory Pack Including 11x7 Prop,
Linkages, Y Lead, and Tool Kit
REQUIRED TO COMPLETE MODEL:
2

Note: If using the supplied stick on decals, we suggest you add these before building the model,
you may find it a bit easier. For advice on applying the decals, please go to pages 10-12 of this
manual.
1. Out of the box your Gladiator comes with reinforced foam hinges. However before assembly
each hinge line must be flexed back and forth 5-6 times to reduce tension and load on the servo.
Do this for all control surfaces before continuing. If you wish for extra security you can add some
hinge tape top and bottom to reinforce the hinge line.
GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
ASSEMBLY of the Gloster Gladiator (PNF):
3

2. Remove one of the wheel collars from an
axle. Remove the inner wheel hub from one of
the wheels and slide it onto one of the axles
as shown. Then slide the wheel collar back on
to the axle.
3. Tighten the grub screw using the hex-key
supplied, ensure the grub screw tightens
onto the flat of the axle. A drop of thread
locker can be used if you wish for extra security.
4. Remove the outer hub from the wheel, then
slide the wheel back over the inner hub. Re-fit
the outer hub and carefully line up the screw
fixing holes.
5. Using the supplied 2.3mm x 10mm self-
tapping screws, secure the inner and outer
hubs together. Do not over-tighten or you will
strip the plastic out of the screw spigots.
6. Out of the box, the cowling and dummy
engine are just pushed on, they are not
secured in place. For the next steps you will
need to remove these from the fuselage.
7. Slot the landing gear into the groove in the
bottom of the fuselage, ensure the landing gear
fairings are facing the correct direction. Look at
the aerofoil shape.
4

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
8. Use the supplied 2.3mm x 10mm hex
screws with the molded on washer to secure
the landing gear retaining straps in place.
9. Also use 2.3mm x 10mm hex self-tapping
screws to retain the landing gear fairings to the
sides of the fuselage.
10. Use a good contact adhesive to glue the
dummy exhausts into place. These slide in
from the side slightly so that the box section at
the front of the exhausts locate into the slots
into the fuselage.
11. Once again using a contact adhesive, glue
the air-scoop into place in the cross grooves
between the exhausts.
12. Replace the cowl and dummy engine and
secure in place using 2 of the supplied 2.3mm
x10mm self-tapping screws. Note: If the flange
on the inside of the cowl slightly fouls the front
of the dummy exhausts, then please trim a
piece of the flange off with cutters to allow for
the cowl to obtain a more snug fit.
13. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator come
pushed together in the box, pull these apart
and slide them through the rear of the fuselage
as shown. They are a good tight fit, so ensure
they are fully pushed home and the screw
holes line up.
5

14. Connect the elevator halves using the
supplied 2.3mm x 6mm self-tapping screw.
15. Secure the horizontal stabilizer halves to
the fuselage using the supplied 2 off 2.3mm x
6mm self-tapping screws.
16. Connect the pushrod ball-link to the
elevator control horn. You may need to
clean some silver paint off of the ball
first.
17. Center the elevator servo with either your
radio or a servo tester. Hold the elevator in the
neutral position and then tighten the
grub-screw on the servo connector.
18. Select the 2 short aileron pushrods and feed
the end with the 90° bend through the outer
holes in the servo arms, secure with the
supplied quick-keepers. Center the servos once
more, set the aileron at neutral and adjust the
ball-link as necessary. If this is a tight fit then
there may be some silver paint on the ball.
19. Slot the bottom wing onto the fuselage wing
seat, ensure the aileron leads feed through the
hole into the radio compartment and are not
trapped beneath the wing. If you are using the
supplied "Y" lead, then it is best to connect this
now. If you are going to use separate aileron
channels then it is also best to fit your
extension leads at this point.
6

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
20. Secure the bottom wing to the fuselage
using the 4 supplied M3 x 20mm machine
screws.
21. The next step is to attach one of the
cabane struts to the fuselage.
22. Carefully identify which strut goes where
and which way around. The brackets for the
flying wires go towards the top wing, and the
top fixing hole that is countersunk goes to the
front. Secure the cabane with 2 off 2.3mm x
8mm hex screws with molded on washers.
23. The interplane struts can now be added.
Once again, very carefully identify which is
which. They need to rake forwards when
placed in the bottom wing, and the aerofoil
shape needs to face the correct way, into the
airflow.
24. The interplane struts push into the wings,
and the special fasteners that are factory
installed hold them in place. Push them in until
you hear a click, they are then secure. If you
need to remove them then carefully push the
locking tab away and pull out the strut.
25. Attach the second cabane strut, once
again use the supplied 2.3mm x 8mm hex
screws with the molded on washers.
7

26. Next step is to attach the top wing. It is best
to start with one set of interplane struts and
firmly locate them, then locate the other side.
27. With the interplane struts firmly located, line
up the cabane struts to the top wing fixings.
Secure once again with the 2.3mm x 8mm hex
screws with the molded on washers.
28. Use the long pushrods to connect the top
and bottom ailerons. It is best to have the
aileron servos connected to your radio or a
servo tester and set the servos at neutral.
29. Connect the pushrod end with the 90° bend
to the top wing aileron horn. Secure the pushrod
in place using a supplied quick-keeper.
30. Adjust the length of the pushrod by screwing
the ball-link clockwise or anti-clockwise until it
perfectly aligns with the ball on the bottom wing
aileron. Ensure the bottom aileron is still set at
neutral, snap the ball-link into place. Repeat for
the other wing. Once again, clean off any silver
paint that may be on the ball.
31. Slide the spinner backplate onto the motor
shaft and locate it onto the hex driver. Next fit
the propeller, then the heavy prop nut, tighten
with a tommy-bar or similar. Then fit the
spinner cone, ensure this locates correctly into
the backplate, secure using the supplied M3 x
25mm machine screw. Note: Do not fit the prop
if you haven't yet set up your radio and the
ESC, ensure you do this before fitting the prop.
8

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
32. Do a final check that everything is square,
and that both wings line up with each other.
33. Double check that when your aileron stick
and the trim is at neutral that all the ailerons are
at neutral.
36. Using a contact adhesive, glue the 2
fuselage machine guns into place as shown.
37. Using a contact adhesive, glue the 2 wing
machine guns into place as shown.
34. Do the same with the elevator to ensure it
is neutral.
35. Do the same with the rudder to ensure it is
neutral.
9

The Gladiator Mk1 handles very well in flight, and that’s not down to good design alone, but a good
pre-flight set-up too. Before you fly your Gladiator please follow the recommended settings below
for optimum handling and performance.
Applying the supplied decals will take you longer than assembling the model. This is because great
care must be taken when doing so. Please follow carefully the guidelines below to achieve the best
possible finish on your Gloster Gladiator.
CONTROL THROWS:
DECAL APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
Elevator
- mm
- mm
- mm
- mm
mm
- mm
- mm
Aileron
Rudder
*Elevator ‘low rates’ mm ‘high rates’ mm in either direction from neutral.
*Rudder ‘low rates’ mm ‘high rates’ mm in either direction from neutral.
*Aileron ‘low rates’ mm ‘high rates’ mm in either direction from neutral.
10

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
W
T
G5/1701
CX
W
T
G5/1701
CX
DATUM
DATUM
DATUM
DATUM
NoSTEP NoSTEP
DATUM DATUMDATUM DATUM
FIRST
AID
GRIP
LIFTHERE
G5/1804
CX
G5/1824
CX
G5/1815
OIL
W
T
G5/1701
CX
LIFTHERE
LIFTHERE
FIRST
AID
GRIP
G5/1804
OIL
CX
G5/1824
CX
G5/1815
Starboard side decalsPort side decals.
Top wing decals.Bottom wing decals.
11

Note:
*
Study the scheme reference sheet carefully and understand fully where each decal should be
applied.
Position the decals carefully on the model according to the hen gently rub
(using a dry cloth) the decal in place rub from the center out to avoid wrinkles and air
bubbles
If air bubbles are present, use the tip of a sharp blade to make a small hole in the bubble then
rub over it again to push the air out
12

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
GUIDE FOR DURAFLY 1100mm GLOSTER GLADIATOR
CREATED BY TOM HUNT
FLYING WIRE INSTALLATION
#2 FUSELAGE STRUT FWD HOLE
#3 LOWER FWD OUTBD FITTING#1 START
LOWER INDB FITTING FWD-INBD HOLE
13

#4
UPPER AFT
OUTBD FITTING
#5
LOWER INDB FITTING
AFT-OUTBD HOLE
14

GLOSTER GLADIATOR MK1 DURAFLY 1100MM PLUG AND FLY
#6 START
LOWER INDB FITTING
AFT-INBD HOLE #8
LOWER AFT
OUTBD FITTING
#9
UPPER FWD
OUTBD FITTING
#7 FUSELAGE STRUT AFT HOLE
15

16
#10
LOWER FWD INBD FITTING
TUBE SITS ON TOP
OF THESE 3 WIRES
Ø2.5 mm X 108 mm LONG FLYING WIRE STABILIZING
TUBE SUPPORT TACK GLUE TO WIRES USING FOAM
TAC, UHU PHOR OR SIMILAR. NOTE: THIS TUBE IS
OPTIONAL AND IS NOT SUPPLIED.
TRUE FRONT VIEW
TUBE SITS BELOW
THIS WIRE

17
#13 TERMINATE AFT
FITTING TO VERTICAL FIN
HERE
#11 START FWD
FITTING VERTICAL
FIN
#12 OUTBD HORIZTAIL
FITTING
#15 TERMINATE LOWER HORIZTAIL
FITTING
#14 START LOWER FUSELAGE FITTING