Phoenix Model TIGER MOTH 40 User manual

Instruction Manual
Fly the Tiger Moth biplane - Phoenix Model' ARF version makes it economical
and easy! Built from light weight, high - quality balsa. The fiber glass cowl
painted by hand to match the trim scheme. Most part are cut by laser machine.
Computer - designed for easy assembly. Semi - symmetrical clark Y-airfoils and
ailerons on both wings give these scale versions the original's agility. Includes
main and tail gear, wheels, fuel tank, linkage parts set and decals.
Wingspan : 144cm (56.7 in)
Wing Area : 58 dm2
Length : 112cm (44 in)
Weight approx : 2600 - 2800g (5.7 - 6.2lb)
Radio control : 4 channel / 5 servos
Engine : 2 stroke. 40 class 4 stroke .48 - .53 class
Specification:

KIT CONTENTS: We have organized the parts as they come out of the box for better identification
during assembly. We recommend that you regroup the parts in the same manner. This will ensure you
have all of parts required before you begin assembly
AIR FRAME ASSEMBLIES
(2) Wing
(1) Fuselage
(1) Horizontal
(1) Vertical
(1) Instruction manual
main gear assembly
(1) Main gear
(2) 65mm wheel
(4) Collar
(8) 3mm x 12mm wood screw
(4) Nylon clasp
(2) Wood cover
TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY
(1) Tail wheel bracke w/wire
(1) Tail wheel plate
(2) 2mm collar
(1) 25mm diameter wheel
(2) 2mm x 16mm wood screw
elevator control system
(2) Nylon control horn
(4) 2mm x 16mm wood screw
(2) Clevis
(2) Silicone tube
(1) Domino
(1) Nylon snap keeper
(1) 1.7mm x 100mm
metal pushrod
rudder control system
(1) Nylon control horn
(2) 2mm x 16mm wood screw
(1) Clevis
(1) Silicone tube
(1) Nylon snap keeper
aileron control horn
(2) Nylon control horn
(4) 2mm x 20mm wood screw
(2) Clevis
(2) Silicone tube
(2) Nylon snap keeper
(2) 1.7mm x 180mm metal pushrod
(8) 2mm x 10mm wood screw
engine mount
(1) Engine mount
(4) 4mm x 25mm screw
(4) 4mm flat washer
(4) 8mm flat washer
(4) 3mm x 20mm wood screw
(4) 3mm flat washer
THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM
(1) 1,3mm x 500mm wire
(1) 3,5mm x 350mm nylon
pushrod housing
(1) Metal connector
FUel TANK
(1) Fuel tank
(1) Metal clunk
(1) Pre - assembled stopper w/ 3 tube
miscellaneous items
(2) Dihedral
(6) 4mm x 30mm nylon screw
(13) 2.6mm x 10mm wood screw
(1) Wooden plate
(1) Canopy
(1) Wooden plate
(3) 1.7mm x 600mm metal pushrod
WING STRUT
(1) Set of wing strut
(4) 3mm x 20mm nylon screw
(4) 3mm flat washer
(4) 6mm flat washer
(12) 3mm x 12mm screw
(14) 3mm flat washer
(14) 6mm flat washer
(2) 3mm x 15mm wood screw
(16) Strap
(4) Cable wire
(8) Connector
(12) Lock part
(8) M3 clevis
KIT CONTENTS
1

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED.
• Medium C/A glue.
• 30 minute epoxy.
• 6 minute epoxy.
• Hand or electric drill.
• Assorted drill bits.
• Modeling knife.
• Straight edge ruler.
• 2 bender plier.
• Wire cutters.
• Masking tape.
• Thread lock.
• Paper towels.
• Rubbing alcohol
SUGGESTION
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.
NOTE:
Please trial fit all the parts. Make sure you have the
correct parts and that they fit and are aligned properly
before gluing! This will assure proper assembly. The
TIGER MOTH 40 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.
SAFETY PRECAUTION:
• This is not a toy
• Be sure that no other flyers are using your radio
frequency.
• Do not smoke near fuel
• Store fuel in a cool, dry place, away from
children and pets.
• Wear safety glasses.
• The glow plug clip must be securely attached to
the glow plug.
• Do not flip the propeller with your fingers.
• Keep loose clothing and wires away from the propeller.
• Do not start the engine if people are near. Do not
stand in line with the side of the propeller.
• Make engine adjustments from behind the propeller
only. Do not reach around the spinning propeller.
2
3. Place the servo into the servo tray. Center the
servo within the tray and drill 1,6mm pilot holes
through the block of wood for each of the four
mounting screws provided with the servo.
Remove the covering
1
INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS
1. Install the rubber grommets and brass eyelets
onto the aileron servo.
2. Using a modeling knife, remove the 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.
2
4. 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.
Servo lead
3

6
3. Repeat step # 1 - # 2 to install the control horn
on the opposite aileron.
2. Attach the clevis to the outer hole in the control
horn. Install a silicone tube on the clevis.
3. Locate one nylon servo arm, and using wire
cutters, remove all but one of the arms. Using a
2mm drill bit, enlarge the third hole out from the
center of the arm to accommodate the aileron
pushrod wire.
4. Plug the aileron servo into the receiver and
center the servo. Install the servo arm onto the
servo. The servo arm should be perpendicular
to the servo and point toward the middle of the
wing.
5. Center the aileron and hold it in place using a
couple of pieces of masking tape.
6. With the aileron and aileron servo centered,
carefully place a mark on the aileron pushrod
wire where it crosses the hole in the servo arm.
7. Using pliers, carefully make a 90 degree bend
down at the mark made. Cut off the excess
wire, leaving about 4mm beyond the bend.
8. Insert the 90 degree bend down through the
hole in the servo arm. Install one nylon snap
keeper over the wire to secure it to the arm.
Install the servo arm retaining screw and
remove the masking tape from the aileron.
INSTALLING THE AILERON LINKAGES
1. Working with the aileron linkage for now, thread
one nylon clevis at least 14 turns onto one of
the 2mm x 180mm threaded wires.
7
INSTALLING THE CONTROL HORNS
1. One aileron control horn in positioned on each
aileron. Using a ruler and a pen, locate and
mark the location of the control horn. It should
be mounted on the bottom side of the aileron at
the leading edge, in line with the aileron
pushrod.
2. Drill 1.6mm holes through the aileron using the
control horn as a guide and screw the control
horn in place.
RIGHT WRONG
6. Repeat step # 2 - # 5 to install the second
aileron servo in the opposite wing half.
5. Place the aileron servo tray / hatch into the
servo box on the bottom of the wing and drill
1,6mm pilot holes through the tray and the
servo box for each of the four mounting screws.
Secure the servo tray in place using the
mounting screws provided ( 2mm x 12mm ).
7. Using masking tape, tape the servo leads on to
the top of the wing.
4
To the cowl
5
To the cowl
3

12
10
11
Screw
Screw 5. Remove the stabilizer. Using the lines you just
drew as a guide, carefully remove the covering
from between them using a modeling knife.
When cutting through the covering to remove it,
cut with only enough pressure to only cut
through the covering it's self. Cutting into the
balsa structure may weaken it. This could lead
to possible failure during flight.
14
4. With the horizontal stabilizer correctly aligned,
mark the shape of the fuselage onto the bottom
and into the top of the horizontal stabilizer
using
a water soluble/ non-permanent felt-tip pen.
2. Draw a center line onto the horizontal stabilizer
and slide it into the fuselage.
3. Check the fit of the horizontal stabilizer in its
slot. Make sure the horizontal stabilizer is
square and centered to the fuselage by taking
measurements, but don't glue anything yet.
- Secure the wing using four nylon screws.
13
INSTALLING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER
1. Using a modeling knife, cut away the covering
from the fuselage for the stabilizer and remove it.
JOINING THE upper WING HALVES
- Slide the left and right wing to the center wing
using the aluminum tube diheral.
9. Repeat step # 4 - # 8 to install the second
aileron linkage. After both linkages are
completed, connect both of the aileron servo
leads using a Y-harness you have purchased
separately.
9
To the cowl
Silicone Tube
8
To the cowl
4

18
19
5
15
6. Attach the lower wing to the fuselage as picture.
8. When you are sure that everything is aligned
correctly, mix up a generous amount of 30
minute epoxy. Apply a thin layer to the bottom
of the stabilizer mounting area and to the stabilizer
mounting platform sides in the fuselage. Insert
the stabilizer in place and re-align. Double
check all of your measurements one more time
before the epoxy cures. Remove any excess
epoxy using a paper towel and rubbing alcohol
and hold the stabilizer in place with T-pins or
masking tape.
7. Test the position of the elevator and adjust it as
shown.
16
Plastic Screw
9. After the epoxy has fully cured, remove the
masking tape or T-pins used to hold the
stabilizer in place and carefully inspect the glue
joints. Use more epoxy to fill in any gaps that
were not filled previously and clean up the
excess using a paper towel and rubbing alcohol.
1. Remove the covering of the vertical.
2. Mark the shape of the vertical onto the top of the
horizontal.
17
INSTALLING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER
AND TAIL GEAR

25
26
27
22
23
24
20
6
4. Prepare the tail gear as shown.
5. Glue the rudder hinge by C.A glue.
1. Remove the covering.
2. Install the wheel and secure it.
3. Install the landing gear and secure it.
6. Glue the vertical stabilizer to the fuselage.
7. Secure the tail gear.3. Remove the covering
INSTALLING THE LANDING GEAR
21
50mm

28
7
4. Attach and glue the plastic cover for the landing
gear.
10down thrust
30right thrust
ENGINE INSTALLATION
INSTALLING THE THROTTLE PUSHROD HOUSING
1. Install the engine mount into the fire wall using
4mm x 25mm screw.
2. Place the engine into the engine mount and
align it properly with the front of the cowling.
The distance from the firewall to the front of the
engine thrust washer should 110mm.
If your engine is equipped with a remote needle
valve, we suggest installing it into the engine at
this time.
3. When satisfied with the alignment of the engine,
use a pencil and mark the mounting hole
location onto the firewall, where the throttle
pushrod will exit.
4. Now, remove the engine. Using a 5mm drill bit,
drill holes through the firewall and the forward
bulkhead at the marks made.
5. Slide the pushrod housing through the hole in
the firewall, through the hole in the forward
bulkhead, and into the servo compartment.
6. Apply a couple of drops of thin C/A to the
pushrod housing where it exits the firewall and
where it passes through the forward bulkhead.
This will secure the housing in place.
7. Using a modeling knife, cut off the nylon pushrod
housing 26mm in front of the servo tray.
INSTALLING THE ENGINE
1. Locate the long piece of wire used for the
throttle pushrod. One end of the wire has been
pre-bend in to a "Z" bend at the factory. This
"Z" bend should be inserted into the throttle
arm of the engine when the engine is fitted onto
the engine mount. Fit the engine to the engine
mount using the screws provided.
!
29
110mm
FUEL TANK
INSTALLING THE STOPPER ASSEMBLY
1. The stopper has been pre-assembled at the factory.
2. Using a modeling knife, cut one length of silicon
fuel line (the length of silicon fuel line is
calculated by how the weighted clunk should
rest about 8mm away from the rear of the tank
and move freely inside the tank). Connect one
end of the line to the weighted clunk and the
other end to the nylon pick up tube in the
stopper.
3. Carefully bend the second nylon tube up at a 45
degree angle (using a cigarette lighter). This
tube will be the vent tube to the muffler.
4. Carefully bend the third nylon tube down at a 45
degree angle (using a cigarette lighter). This
tube will be vent tube to the fueling valve
When the stopper assembly is installed in the
tank, the top of the vent tube should rest just
below the top surface of the tank. It should not
touch the top of the tank.
!
8

To carburator
To muffler
To vent Tube 31
30
!
32
Elevator servo
Rudder servo Throttle servo
SERVO INSTALLATION
INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS
1. Install the rubber grommets and brass collets
into the elevator, rudder and throttle servos.
Test fit the servos into the servo tray. Trim the
tray if necessary to fit your servos
2. Mount the servos to the tray using the mounting
screws provided with your radio system.
INSTALLING THE ELEVATOR PUSHROD
1. Locate the pushrod exit slot on the right side
and left side of the fuselage. It is located
slightly ahead and below the horizontal
stabilizer.
2. Carefully cut away the covering material from
the slot.
3. Working from inside the fuselage, slide the
threaded end of the pushrod until it reaches the
exit slot. Carefully reach in with a small screw
driver and guide the pushrod out of the exit slot.
4. Install the clevis on the elevator pushrod. Make
sure 6mm of thread shows inside the clevis.
5. The control horn should be mounted on the
bottom, left side and right side of the elevator at
the leading edge, in line with the elevator
pushrod.
6. Drill two 1.6mm holes through the elevator
using the control horn as a guide and screw the
control horn in place.
33
Control horn elevator
8
5. Test fit the stopper assembly into the tank. It
may be necessary to remove some of the
flashing around the tank opening using a
modeling knife. If flashing is present, make
sure none of it falls into the tank.
6. When satisfied with the alignment of the stopper
assembly tighten the 3mm x 20mm machine
screw until the rubber stopper expands and
seals the tank opening. Do not over tighten the
assembly as this could cause the tank to split.
7. Using a modeling knife, cut 3 lengths of fuel line
150mm long. Connect 2 lines to the 2 vent
tubes and 1 line to the fuel pickup tube in the
stopper.
8. Feed three lines through the fuel tank
compartment and through the pre-drilled hole in
the firewall. Pull the lines out from behind the
engine, while guiding the fuel tank into place.
Push the fuel tank as far forward as possible,
the front of the tank should just about touch the
back of the firewall.
Blow through one of the lines to ensure the fuel
lines have not become kinked inside the fuel
tank compartment. Air should flow through easily.
Do not secure the tank into place permanently
until after balancing the airplane. You may
need to remove the tank to mount the battery in
the fuel tank compartment.
9. To secure the fuel tank in place, apply a bead of
silicon sealer to the forward area of the tank,
where it exits the fuselage behind the engine
mounting box and to the rear of the tank at the
forward bulkhead.
10.Secure and glue the fuel tank using the wooden
plate as shown.

7. Attach clevis to the third hole in the control
horn. Install a silicone tube on the clevis.
37
Control horn
38
Silicone tube
9
7. Attach clevis to the third hole in the control
horn. Install a silicone tube on the clevis.
8. Locate one nylon servo arm, and using wire
cutters, remove all but one of the arms. Using a
2mm drill bit, enlarge the third hole out from the
center to accommodate the elevator pushrod
wire.
9. Plug the elevator servo into the receiver and
center the servo. Install the servo arm onto the
servo. The servo arm should be perpendicular
to the servo and point toward the middle of the
fuselage.
10. Be sure both elevator halves are flat. Center
both elevator halves and hold them in place
using a couple of pieces of masking tape.
11. Connect two elevator purshord to the metal
domino connector and secure it. Insert the wire
pushrod into the metal domino connector and
secure it.
12. With the elevator halves and elevator servo
centered, carefully place a mark on the elevator
pushrod wire where it crosses the hole in the
servo arm.
13. Using pliers, carefully make a 90 degree bend
up at the mark made. Cut off the excess wire,
leaving about 8mm beyond the bend.
14. Insert the 90 degree bend up through the hole
in the servo arm, install one nylon snap keeper
over the wire to secure it to the arm. Install the
servo arm retaining screw and remove the
masking tape the elevator halves.
15. Using thick CA glue, secure the pushrod
sleeves to the pushrod sleeve guide.
34
Control horn Control horn
36
Metal domino
35
Silicone tube Silicone tube
INSTALLING THE RUDDER PUSHROD
1. Locate the pushrod exit slot on the left of the
fuselage.
2. Carefully cut away the covering material from
the slot.
3. Working from inside the fuselage, slide the
threaded end of the remaining pushrod down
the inside of the fuselage until the pushrod
reaches the exit slot. Carefully reach in with a
small screw driver and guide the pushrod out of
the exit slot.
4. Install the clevis on the rudder pushrod. Make
sure 6mm of thread shows inside the clevis.
5. The control horn should be mounted on the left
side of the rudder at the leading edge, in line
with the rudder pushrod.
6. Drill two 3mm holes through the rudder using
the control horn as a guide and screw the
control horn in place.