GRAUPNER STARLET 2400 User manual

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
1
Order No. 9588
9588.GT33
Instructions
STARLET 2400
For internal-combustion engine up to 33 cc
or
electric motor
This model requires a four-function radio control system

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
2
Specification
Wingspan approx. 2400 mm
Fuselage length excl. spinner approx. 1540 mm
Wing area approx. 76 dm²
Tailplane area approx. 15 dm²
Total surface area approx. 91 dm²
All-up weight according to fittings approx. 9600 g
Longitudinal dihedral 0 - 0.5 degrees
Centre of Gravity approx. 160 - 170 mm aft of the leading edge
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.
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 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.
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. How-
ever, 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.
Secure all metal screws and nuts with a drop of UHU schraubensicher (thread-
lock fluid) to prevent them working loose.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
3
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 likely
to flow when the model is flying.
•Deploy the receiver aerial as far away as possible from high-current cables (at
least 3 cm).
•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.
Additional items required
Glowplug engine / petrol engine and accessories
Recommended internal-combustion engine
Engine
Order No. Capacity cc Silencer Order No. Propeller Order No.
OS MAX FS 200 S
2728 32.4 Included 1318.45.25
Petrol engine GT 33
2772 33 Included 1318.45.25 1318.50.25
Recommended electric motor
Electric motor
Order No. Propeller Order No. Flight battery Order No. Speed controller
Order No.
COMPACT
630
7725
55 x 25 cm
1326.22x10
LiPo V-MAXX 45C
5/4200 18,5 V/4,2 Ah
9740.5
Two required
COMPACT
CONTROL
80 HV
7228
Radio control system
The RC system must feature at least five control functions, with ten servos.
The transmitter should also include a servo reverse facility.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
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We particularly recommend: Mx-16 to MC-24 computer systems.
The model is designed for standard-sized servos.
We recommend the following receiver power supply: two GRAUPNER LiFe 2/2900
6.6V JR, Order No. 7672.2; it is important to maintain these batteries carefully before
and after each flying session. We recommend the PRX 5A, Order No. 4136, as ON /
OFF switch.
For connecting the two aileron servos to the receiver you will need two extension
leads, Order No. 3935.65.
Each of the aileron servo leads in the wings needs to be extended using an
extension lead, Order No. 3935.50, while the two elevator servos require extension
leads, Order No. 3935.75.
The receiver and battery should be packed in foam for protection from vibration.
The model is suitable for standard-sized servos with an output torque of around 50
Ncm.
Adhesives
Fast-setting epoxy resin, e.g. UHU plus schnellfest, Order No. 962
Slow-setting epoxy resin, e.g. UHU plus endfest 300, Order No. 950.43
White glue, e.g. UHU Holzleim express, Order No. 958.60
UHU hart, e.g. Order No. 534.35
Cyano-acrylate (“cyano”), e.g. Order No. 5821
Cyano-acrylate, e.g. Order No. 5822
Thread-lock fluid, e.g. Order No. 952
Accessories required to operate the model (not included)
Fuel to suit engine (petrol / oil mixture; see instructions supplied with your engine)
Fuel tubing, e.g. Order No. 1325.2
Manual fuel pump, e.g. Order No. 6870
Ignition battery, Order No. 8716.5
Battery chargers and charge leads for electric-powered version: see the main
FS catalogue
Tools required (not included)
Set of cross-point screwdrivers, pointed-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, side-cutters,
balsa knife or razor blade, set of twist drills, pencil, felt-tip pen, fine-tip soldering iron.
Assembling the STARLET 2400
The tailplane
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,
before you have modified it in any way. Remove one arm from the servo output
levers as shown in the photo. Set the servos to centre from the transmitter, then fit
the output levers on the servo output shafts.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
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Extend the servo leads using the appropriate extension leads, and ensure that they
cannot slip apart, e.g. by fitting a heat-shrink sleeve or gluing with a drop of cyano.
Connect the servos to the receiver, set them to centre from the transmitter, and fit the
output arms on them.
Fix the servos to the support blocks using the retaining screws supplied with them:
first push the rubber grommets into the servo mounting lugs, followed by the brass
tubular spacers, with the flange on the underside. Fitting the spacers on a suitable
screwdriver first makes them easier to fit. Drill 1.5 mm Ø pilot-holes in the support
blocks, using the metal spacers as a guide, then fit the servo retaining screws as
shown.
The servo leads can now be pulled through the tailplane panels using a length of
thread: tie the thread to the servo lead just behind the connector, then pull it through
until it appears at the root rib.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
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Use the tip of a hot soldering iron to remove the covering film over the horn slots, and
glue the horns in them using UHU plus (epoxy).
Apply strips of adhesive tape on both sides of the horn before applying the glue, as
this makes it easy to remove the excess resin while it is still soft.
Place the servo mounts / well covers in the tailplane panels and secure them using
the retaining screws supplied.
Assemble the elevator pushrods, and connect them to the horns and the servo output
arms. Adjust the linkages so that the elevators are at neutral when the servos are
also at centre.
The two tailplane panels are held in place on the fuselage by a sprung yoke and
tapered retainer; glue the tapered pin in the threaded hole in one tailplane root, and
the sprung yoke in the other.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
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The two parts are screwed in to the correct depth when the distance between the two
root ribs is the same as the width of the fuselage at the same point. Measure the
distance, then check by plugging in the tailplane panels on the aluminium joiner tube.
The wing
Following the same procedure as described for the tailplane, cut down the servo
output levers, centre the servos, then fit the levers on the servos. Extend the servo
leads using the appropriate extension leads. Install the servos in the servo mounts,
draw the leads through the wings, and fix the servo mounts / well covers in the wings
using the retaining screws provided in the accessory pack.
Use the tip of a hot soldering iron to melt the covering film over the horn slots in the
ailerons, and glue the horns in the slots using UHU plus.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
8
Apply strips of adhesive tape on both sides of the horn before applying the glue, as
shown in the photo, as this makes it easy to remove the excess resin while it is still
soft. When the glue has set hard, assemble the pushrods as shown in the illustration,
and connect them to the horns and the servo output arms.
With the servo and aileron at neutral, set the pushrod to the correct length and apply
a drop of UHU schraubensicher (thread-lock fluid) to the locknuts to prevent them
working loose.
Use your fingertips to locate the retaining holes for the strut brackets, and melt the
film over them using the tip of a hot soldering iron. Apply thread-lock fluid to the
threaded holes, and screw the bored brackets in as far as they will go.
Fit M3 locknuts on the threaded ends of the wing struts, followed by clevises; connect
the clevises to the brackets in the wings.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
9
A retaining bolt has to be screwed into each root rib to hold the two wing panels
against the fuselage. Apply thread-lock fluid to the threaded part to prevent them
working loose, and screw the bolts into the sockets as far as they will go.
The fuselage
Drill an 8 mm Ø hole on the inboard side of the wheel spats to accept the wheel
axles; the holes should be positioned about 18 mm above the bottom edge of the
moulding, and in the centre of the wheel opening in the spat. Repeat the procedure
with the plywood doubler, as shown in the photo. Trim the doubler to fit snugly on the
inside of the spat, and glue it in place. When the glue has set hard, extend the hole to
the bottom to form an open slot, filing it to shape, as shown in the right-hand photo.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Modifications reserved. No liability for printing errors 11/2011
10
Install the undercarriage struts as shown.
The wheel is kept central in the wheel spat opening by means of two collets. Apply
thread-lock fluid to all the screwed joints to prevent them working loose.
Locate the undercarriage screw-holes in the bottom of the fuselage with your finger-
tips, and remove the covering film over them using the tip of a hot soldering iron.
At this point the two undercarriage legs, the tension spring bracket and the wing strut
brackets can all be screwed to the underside of the fuselage.