Extreme Flight Legacy Aviation Muscle Bipe User manual

Legacy Aviation
Muscle Bipe
Assembly Manual
Copyright 2019 Extreme Flight

Please take a few moments to read this instruction manual before beginning
assembly. We have outlined a fast, clear and easy method to assemble this
aircraft and familiarizing yourself with this process will aid in a quick, easy
build.
Please read the following paragraph before beginning
assembly of your aircraft!
THIS IS NOT A TOY! Serious injury, destruction of property, or even death
may result from the misuse of this product. Extreme Flight RC is providing
you, the consumer, with a very high quality model aircraft component kit,
from which you, the consumer, will assemble a flying model. It is beyond our
control to monitor the finished aircraft you produce. Extreme Flight RC will
in no way accept or assume responsibility or liability for damages resulting
from the use of this user assembled product. This aircraft should be flown in
accordance with the AMA safety code. It is highly recommended that you
join the Academy of Model Aeronautics in order to be properly insured and
operate your model at AMA sanctioned flying fields only. If you are not
willing to accept ALL liability for the use of this product, please return it to
the place of purchase immediately.
Extreme Flight RC, Ltd. guarantees this kit to be free of defects in materials
and workmanship for a period of 30 DAYS from the date of purchase. All
warranty claims must be accompanied by the original dated receipt. This
warranty is extended to the original purchaser of the aircraft kit only.
Extreme Flight RC in no way warranties its aircraft against flutter. We have
put these aircraft through the most grueling flight tests imaginable and have
not experienced any control surface flutter. Proper servo selection and
linkage set-up is absolutely essential. Inadequate servos or improper linkage
set up may result in flutter and possibly the complete destruction of your
aircraft. If you are not experienced in this type of linkage set-up or have
questions regarding servo choices, please contact us at
[e-mail] or 770-887-1794. It is your responsibility to ensure
the airworthiness of your model.

Congratulations on your purchase of the Legacy Aviation Muscle Bipe!
Loosely based on the hot-rodded and highly modified Waco UPF-7 flown by
the late airshow legend Jimmy Franklin and known as the Mystery Ship, the
Muscle Bipe is our tribute to classic barnstormer airshow style aerobatics.
The Muscle Bipe features a quick assembly process that will help you get in
the air fast and when powered with the recommended Torque 4016/500 motor
is capable of the full range of classic aerobatic maneuvers. If you are a fan of
Biplanes and have nostalgia for the classic era of aerobatics the Muscle Bipe is
for you!

Items needed to complete the Muscle Bipe
1. 4 micro servos (50oz torque)
2. 2 mini servos (60oz torque)
3. 1 electric motor, approximately
1600 watts and 500KV
4. 80A ESC
5. 4 6” servo extensions
6. 4 18” extensions
7. 1 7CH receiver
8. Propeller
9. Thin CA, 30 minute epoxy, canopy glue/foam tac
Recommended items to complete the Muscle Bipe
1. 4 MKS HV69 servos and Extreme Flight RC 25T lightweight 1.25” servo arms.
2. 2 Hitec 7245 servos and Extreme Flight RC 24T lightweight 1.25” servo arms.
3. Torque 4016-500 MKII motor
4. Castle Creations Talon 90 ESC
5. 4 6” Extreme Flight RC 28AWG extensions
6. 4 18” Extreme Flight RC 28AWG extensions
7. Aura Flight Control system
8. 1 16X7 Falcon or Xoar electric propeller
9. Zap/Mercury thin CA and 30 minute epoxy, RC56 canopy glue or Foam Tac

Let’s begin assembly of the Muscle Bipe (MB):
Wing assembly
1.We will begin with the wings. There are 5 wing panels, 2 upper wing halves, 2 lower wing
halves and a center upper wing section. Set the center upper wing half aside as we will not be
using that till later. First we will hinge the ailerons to the wing halves, begin by removing the
aileron from the wing by simply pulling it away from the wing. Be careful with the CA hinges
not to lose them and making sure which aileron belongs to which wing half. My preference is to
insert the CA hinge exactly half way into the wing slot and then mate the aileron onto those
hinges keeping little to no hinge gap. Make sure the hinge remains centered (see note) while
mating the aileron to the wing, then apply thin CA to the hinge. Normally a few small drops of
thin CA onto the top and bottom of the CA hinge is ample, then allow the CA to set up. Do this
on the 4 wing halves. See figure 1.
NOTE: when installing CA hinges be sure the hinge remains centered side to side in the precut
slot and fore/aft. When installing the aileron, or any control surface, it is very easy for the control
surface to push the CA hinge into the slot resulting in a very little amount of the CA hinge
actually in the control surface slot. Be sure to you have a method to combat this before
proceeding.
Figure 1

2. Locate the control horns for the ailerons, see figure 2. Be sure to lightly sand the portion that
will insert into the precut slot as well as one side of the base plate. Now trial fit the control horn
thru the base plate, trim the base plate slot if necessary to accommodate the control horn, then
insert this into the slot (use any base plate they will fit any control horn). Now trim the covering
under the base plate, make sure you do not trim beyond the base plate or cut thru the balsa.
Remove that covering and this will allow a balsa to base plate glue joint. Once satisfied with the
dry fit, then using 30 minute epoxy put some in the slot and a light coating on the bottom of the
control horn that will go into the slot and the bottom of the base plate (the lightly sanded side)
that will mate to the exposed balsa and glue this in place on all 4 ailerons and allow to dry. See
figure 3.
Figure 2
Figure 3

3. Using your 4 micro servos (we recommend the MKS HV69 as seen in figure 4) we will now
install these servos. Begin with the upper wings (they are shorter than the lower wings) and
carefully pull the servo lead thru the wing and out of the wing root. Do this to the remaining
upper wing half at this time. For the lower wings attach a 6” extension to the servo lead and then
carefully pull it thru the wing and thru the wing root.
Figure 4
NOTE: Be sure to secure this extension to the servo lead in some permanent manner.
Suggestions include tying the connection with dental floss or installing a piece of heat shrink
over the connection then shrink. Using a plastic manufactured servo wire connector will work
but may make it difficult to pull the lead thru the wing to the root.
-Step 3 continued-
Now secure the servo into the servo bay and orient the output shaft forward (towards the leading
edge of the wing) and install the servo arm. Take the short pushrods, there will be 4 all the same
length, thread a ball link onto each end about 15 turns. Locate (2) 2mm by 10mm long allen head
bolts, 2mm washers and 2mm nylon insert nuts. I like to begin at the control horn, I install a
washer onto the bolt, then insert that thru the eye of the ball link, then another washer and then
thru the hole of the control horn and secure with a nylon insert nut. Now center your servo, this
means align the servo arm with the hinge line, not perpendicular to the servo. Try to do this
mechanically before using your transmitter, once this is complete put a washer onto the 2mm
bolt, then thru the eye of the ball link and install onto the servo arm. You may need to turn the
ball link in or out onto the pushrod to achieve the proper length, just try to turn each ball link
equally. Always try to achieve a perfect setup mechanically first then go to your transmitter
settings for final adjustment. If using the EFRC lightweight arms, use blue thread lock, a nylon

insert nut is recommended on the bottom of the servo arm in any case. Make sure your servo
moves the control surface in the correct direction and to the desired throw. If there is any binding
fix it now, since we used CA hinges they generally do not bind, but if you have a stiff surface
then unhook the pushrod and physically move the surface from bevel to bevel several times, this
will loosen it up, repeat if necessary. Use these same procedures on the remaining wing halves.
See figure 5.
Figure 5
Landing Gear
4. Take a look at figure 6 and identify the various parts. Since we have the wheel cuffs, the order
of assembly is important. First bolt the main gear to the fuselage. Begin by distinguishing which
way the gear sweeps, I do this by laying the mounting flat onto a table and eyeball or hold a
straight edge (such as a square) and you will be able to identify which way the gear is swept. The
gear will mount with the sweep forward (towards the motor). Locate the (4) 4mm bolts and
washers, apply a small amount of blue thread lock and then bolt the gear to the fuselage. There
are blind nuts already installed, tighten and then locate the 2 wheel cuffs. Trial fit the cuffs onto
the gear, I mounted mine with the end that has more sweep forward, but either way will work.
Just be sure they fit flush against the fuselage, if they don’t switch sides. Once the fit and look is
satisfactory, I glued mine with Foam tac, welders adhesive or other flexible drying adhesives will
work. I applied adhesive to the gear and cuff only.

Figure 6
TIP: we used blue painters tape to hold the cuffs in place, as well as using the tape to seal around
the area where the rubber edging meets the fuselage and the gear to cuff area to prevent any glue
from running out.
-Step 4 continued-
Once the cuffs have dried, now locate the axles, tires, washers, nylon insert nuts, collars and
pants. Install the axle into the gear and lightly secure with a nylon insert nut and washer. Slide
the tire onto the axle, then fit the pant over the tire/axle assembly and you will notice the pant has
a notch that fits to the gear. Center the tire on the axle so there is no rubbing as the tire spins,
mark this spot then take the pant off and secure the collar to the axle. Use blue thread lock on the
small set screw in the wheel collar. Using a file to make a small flat spot for the wheel collar’s
set screw will help it to stay in place. Now put the pant in place and secure with the 3mm bolt
and washer and apply blue thread lock. Repeat for the other side of the gear. See figures 7, 8 and
9.

Figure 7
Figure 8

Figure 9
Tailwheel assembly
5. Locate the tailwheel assembly and associated hardware, then review figure 10 for parts
identification. We begin by mounting the tailwheel bracket mounting flat to the fuselage, trial fit
first to be sure it is centered side to side then the pivot point of the bracket has to be centered to
the rudder hinge line. Once the fit is correct, use a centering drill or similar to make pilot holes
then install the 2 small wood screws and tighten. We will secure the tiller arm portion to the
bottom of the rudder later in the assembly process, be sure to save that 3rd wood screw for that
process. See figure 11.
TIP: applying a small drop of thin CA to either the wood screw or the pilot hole will help the
screws to hold better.

Figure 10
Figure 11

Center wing installation
Locate the center wing section, 4 black struts and 3mm bolts/washers. The strut end that has two
holes will go into the fuselage, the other end will attach to the wing. Begin by inserting the two
hole end into the fuselage and install the bolts be sure to use blue thread lock. Do this to all 4
struts then mount the upper wing center section to those struts. It may require slight trimming to
accommodate this attachment. See figures 12, 13 and 14.
Figure 12
Figure 13

Figure 14

Tail assembly
6. Locate the horizontal stabilizer and elevator, separate the two pieces and keep track of your
CA hinges. You will need to remove the small plug in the rudder hinge line to insert the
stabilizer, as well we suggest mounting the 4 wing halves. Now take the horizontal stabilizer and
dry fit it into the slot, take a look from the front and back of the plane to assure it is parallel to
the wings. Also check the orientation of the horizontal stabilizer, be sure the top side is up, one
way to tell is to look at the covering scheme and make sure it matches the wings such that you
have the proper side upright. Remove the stabilizer and use 30 minute epoxy to glue the
stabilizer to the slot, reinstall the stabilizer and allow to fully dry. Now hinge the elevator to the
horizontal stabilizer using the same methods as did when hinging the ailerons. Once hinged, now
reinstall the small plug back into its slot, you may now install the elevator control horn/base plate
and this will complete the horizontal/elevator assembly. See figures 15 - 19.
Figure 15

Figure 16
Figure 17

Figure 18
Figure 19

Rudder installation
7. Next locate the rudder and we will begin hinging it to the vertical stabilizer. Using the same
methods as before, I chose to insert the CA hinges into the vertical stabilizer then slide the rudder
onto those hinges to complete the process. Locate that remaining tailwheel screw and insert it
into the tiller arm then into the bottom of the rudder. Now install the control horn for the rudder
and this will complete the rudder installation. See figures 20 and 21.
Figure 20
Figure 21

Rudder and elevator servo installations
8. Now locate your rudder and elevator servos, hardware, extensions and servo arms. See figure
22.
Figure 22
Next you will pull the extension/servo wires thru the fuselage then secure the servo to the
respective servo bay using hardware supplied by the servo manufacturer, the servo output shaft
should be oriented forward for both the rudder and elevator. We suggest Extreme Flight RC
servo socket head screws to secure our servos, available in 30 or 100 quantity packs, they make
the overall look more pleasing and are socket head so much easier to install. Now thread the ball
links onto each end of the pushrods, start by threading them about 12-15 turns, now center your
servos with your transmitter, the longer of the two pushrods is for the rudder, the shorter of the
two is for the elevator. Next install the servo arm, we used Extreme Flight RC 1.25” lightweight
arms as shown in figure 19. With the control surface centered, trial fit the pushrod and see if it
fits, if not turn the ball link on each end equal number of turns till the overall pushrod is of
proper length. Then using the same procedure as in step 3 with the ailerons you may install the
pushrod/ball links. Also be sure the servo arm is perpendicular to the control horn, once this has
been adjusted mechanically as much as can be, then make any small final adjustments in your
transmitter. We will give suggested throws/expo at the end of this manual. See figures 23 and 24.

Figure 23