RC Guys Super Decathlon ARF User manual

TableofContents
PartsNeededtoCompleteKit ….. page01
TailWheelAssemblyInstallation ….. page02
StabilizerInstallation ….. page03
FinInstallation ….. page04
Elevator&RudderHingeInstallation ….. page05
RudderControls ….. page06
ElevatorControls ….. page08
MainWheelAxelInstallation ….. page09
WheelPantInstallation ….. page10
MainLandingGearInstallation ….. page12
SideDoorInstallation ….. page13
AileronHingeInstallation ….. page13
AileronServoInstallation ….. page14
WingStrutAssembly ….. page16
EngineInstallation ….. page19
CowlInstallation ….. page21
FuelTankInstallation ….. page23
Top&SideWindowInstallation ….. page24
FrontWindshieldInstallation ….. page25
RadioSetUp ….. page26
ControlSurfaceThrow ….. page26
OptionalTailSupportFlyingWires ….. page27

PartsYouWillNeedToCompleteKit
ÿ 1RudderServo(minimum70oz.torque)andmountinghardware
ÿ 1LargeRudderServoArm
ÿ 1or2ElevatorServo(minimum70oz.torque)andmountinghardware
ÿ 2AileronServos(minimum70oz.torque)andmountinghardware
ÿ 1ThrottleServo(minimum40oz.torque)andmountinghardware
ÿ 1or236inchElevatorServoExtension
ÿ 218inchAileronServoExtensions
ÿ 1“Y”ExtensionforAilerons
ÿ 1Engine2.5to4.0hp: 901602strokeglow
1202704strokeglow
2340ccgas
ÿ 1RadioTransmitter(minimum5channels)
ÿ 1Receiver
ÿ 1ReceiverBattery
ÿ 1SwitchHarness
ÿ 13½inchAluminumSpinner
NOTES:Loctiteeverythingthatdoesn’tneedtoberemovedoradjustedoften.
TestfitallTNutstoallowboltstobeeasilystartedbyhandandavoidcrossthreads.AstripedTNutis
difficulttoreplace.
1

TailWheelAssemblyInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 1factoryassembledtailwheelbracket
ÿ 2 woodscrews
NOTE:Theextrapartinthebag(flatbarwith4holes)isforanalternatemethodofattachmentoftheTailWheel
Springs.
Collectthepreassembledtailwheelbracketandhardware.
PositiontheTailWheelAssemblyovertheFuselageandmarkthrough
theholes.
DrillpilotholesandsecurethetailwheelassemblytotheFuselage
usingthesuppliedhardware(2xwoodscrews).
HINT:UsethinCAtohardenallscrewholesintowoodandbalsa
afterthescrewhasbeenthreadedinandtakenbackout.
NOTE:TailWheelSpringsareinstalledaftertheRudder.
2

StabilizerInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 1stabilizer
ÿ 1fin
Installthe2MainWingsusingtheAluminumWingTube.Ifitfitstoo
tightuse some600gritSandPaper.
PositiontheStabilizerovertheFuselageandcenteritusingarulerand
levelwiththemainWings.
HINT:Useatapemeasureorstringtomakesurethedistancefromthe
nosetoeachStabilizertipisthesamesothatitisalignedsquare.
Usingascribeorpen,carefullymarkalongthesidesoftheFuselage.
RemovethecoveringjustinsidethesemarksusingasharpXactoknife.
HINT:Useasmallamountofheatfromaheatgunwhenremoving
anycovering.
NOTE:BeforegluingtheStabilizertestfittheRudder.Ifyousee
spacebetweenthetopoftheStabandtheRudder,glueaspacer
undertheStabtofillthegap.Youmayalsohavetosandthefront
“key”oftheRuddersoitsitsallthewaydown.
RepositiontheStabilizerovertheFuselageandwhensatisfiedwith
thefit,glueitinplaceusingEpoxy.
3

FinInstallation
PositionthefinovertheFuselageandscribeamarkalongtheStabilizer
sides.
RemovethecoveringontheStabilizerjustinsidethesemarks.
RepositionthefinontheStabilizerandwhensatisfiedwiththefit,
glueinplaceusingEpoxy.Useasquaretoholdthefin90degreesto
theStabilizeruntiltheEpoxydries.Youmaywanttotapeitinplace.
NOTE:WipeawayanyexcessEpoxyusingdenaturedalcohol.
HINT:UseabeadofCanopyGluetofilljoints.Itdriesclear.
4

Elevator&RudderHingeInstallation
PositionandglueinplaceusingEpoxyallhingepointsintothefactorypredrilledholesinthe2Elevatorhalves.Donot
gluethemintotheStabilizerorfinatthistime.
NOTE:Checkthatthehingesareoperatingintheproperdirectionbeforethegluedries.Youmaywanttoplacea
smalldropoflightoilonthehingepinssothegluewillnotsticktothem.
HINT:GorillaGlueisalsogoodforgluinghingesbecauseitexpandstofillthegaps.
Ifusingengineweighinglessthan3lbs,youmaywanttopositiontheElevatorServoontheServoTrayratherthanatthe
rearoftheFuselageforbetterbalance.
YoucanusetheoptionalElevatorJoinerifyouonlywantjustoneElevatorServo,eitherontheServoTrayorattherear
oftheFuselagebelowtheStabilizerusingtheappropriatepushrod.TestfittheElevatorhalvesbeforegluingthehinges.
IftheyarenotinalignmentremoveandbendtheElevatorJoiner.
5

RudderControls
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 1 rudderServoandmountinghardware(minimum70oztorque)
ÿ 1 rudderwirecable
ÿ 4 cablecrimpfittings
ÿ 4 cableclevises
ÿ 4 cableclevisnuts
ÿ 2 controlhorntrumpetbases
ÿ 1 trumpetscrew
ÿ 2trumpetclevises.(blackplastic)
ÿ 2tailwheelsteeringsprings
UsingasharpXactoknife,removethecoveringfromtheServoand
pullpullRuddercablecutoutsinbothsidesoftheFuselage.
Cutthesuppliedpullpullcableinto2equallengths.Youwillnotice
theyareverylongwhichwillmakeitmucheasiertothreadthroughthe
Fuselagelater.
NOTE:Savethescrappiecesifyouwanttoinstalloptionalflying
wiresfromthestabtoverticalfinonbothsides.
ThreadtheCablethroughthesenewuncoveredholesintherearoftheFuselage.ThreadoneCrimpFittingovertheendof
oneCable,thenthreadtheCablethroughtheouterholeintheyourLargeRudderServoArm.FoldbacktheCable1inch
andslidetheCrimpFittingovertheCableend.Whensatisfiedwiththefit,crimpthefitting.Repeatfortheotherendof
theServoArmwiththeotherCable.
TIP:Usea3/4inchpieceof1/8inchshrinktubingtocoverthesharpendoftheCablestickingoutofthecrimped
jointatbothendsoftheCable.YouwillhavetoslidethisonCableinadvance.
6

InstalltheRudderServoinsidetheFuselageusingthesupplied
hardwarewithyourradiointhecenterpositionoftheServorailinside
theFuselage.
TheRudderhas2trumpetbasesthatscrewtogetherthroughtheRudder.
PositionontrumpetbaseattheedgeoftheRudderbevelededge¾”from
thebottomoftheRudder.Markthespotanddrill3/32”dia.hole
throughtheRudder.Installthetrumpetswiththesupplieshardware. Do
notovertightenthescrews.
NOTE:StrengthentheholesbyapplyingafewdropsofthinCAglue
inbothholestoreducetheamountofbalsacompression.
ThreadthepullpullcablethroughthecutoutsinthesidesoftheFuselageanduptotheRudderServoalreadyinstalled.
Threadalltheparts,crimpfittingandclevisesasyoudidto theotherend.TemporarilyattachtheclevisestotheRudder
ServosandcarefullypullthecablethroughtheclevisesuntiltheyarepullingontheRudder.Pullthemuntiltheyareboth
equal.Whensatisfiedwiththelengths,carefullycrimpthecablefittings.
NOTE:Youcanadjustthelengthslaterwiththethreadsontheclevises.
Make2smallloopsintheendsoftheTailWheelSteeringSprings
andsecurethemtotheendsoftheRudderControlHornsandthe
TailWheelAssembly.Adjustingthetensionwillhelpcenterthe
TailWheelwiththeRudder.
7

ElevatorControls
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 2 elevatorServosandmountinghardware(minimum70oztorque)
ÿ 2 36inchelevatorextensionleads
ÿ 2 threadedelevatorcontrol rods
ÿ 2 Servoclevises
ÿ 2 controlhorntrumpetbases
ÿ 2 trumpetclevises.(blackplastic)
ÿ 2 trumpetwashers
ÿ 2 trumpetscrews
WewillshowthestandardsetupofinstallingElevatorServoson
bothsidesoftheFuselageusing thehardwaresuppliedfromyour
radio.YoucanalsomountServo(s)ontheServoTrayatthefrontof
theFuselage.YoucanalsousejustoneElevatorServowiththe
optionalElevatorJoiner.
Youwillneedtoconnect2x18inchServoleadsifyouare
connectingthe2Servostodifferentreceiverchannels.
PossitionthetrumpetbaseattheedgeoftheElevatorbevelededge11/4”fromtheRudder.Markthespotanddrilla
3/32”dia.holethroughtheElevator.Installthetrumpetsusingthesuppliedhardware.Donotovertightenthescrews.
NOTE:StrengthentheholesbyapplyingafewdropsofCAglueineachholetoreducetheamountofbalsa
compression.
InstalltheElevatorconnectingrodstotheServoArmsand
trumpets.
NOTE:MakesuretheServoArmsexitonoppositesidesto
ensuretheElevatorswilltravelinthesamedirection.Ifyouare
connectingthesamereceiverchannelyouwillneedaYServo
extensionandone18inchextension.
8

MainWheelAxelInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 2mainlandinggearlegs
ÿ 2mainwheelaxels
ÿ 2axelnuts
ÿ 4axellockcollars
NOTE:Youmaywanttoremoveanyburrsfromtheaxelusingarotarytoolsothatthewheelcollarswilleasilyslide
overtheaxelshaft.
SecuretheaxeltothemainLandingGearlegsusingthesuppliedhardware.DonotovertightentheAxelNutoritcould
pullapart.
HINT:Grindflatspotsontheendoftheaxleswheretheoutsidelockcollarwillmountsothesetscrewcanhold
stronger.
9

WheelPantInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 2wheelpants
ÿ 4–632Tnuts
ÿ 4 632x½socketheadbolts
ÿ 4 flatwashers
ÿ 4lockingwashers
UsingaDremel,ensuretheholesinthewheelpantsfittheaxelnuts.
LineupthewheelpantwiththegraphicsontheFuselagesothattheyareparallelandeven.
MarkorscribethroughtheholesintheLandingGearlegsontothewheelpants.
Drill2x1/8dia.holeson thesemarks.
InstalltheTnutsfrominsidethewheelpants.
NOTE:ItisrecommendedtoapplyEpoxyinsidethewheelpant
behindtheplywoodinsertforextrastrength.
10

Usingthesuppliedhardware,2x632boltsandwashers,secure the
wheelpantstothegearlegs.Makesuretheseareverytight.
NOTE:Beverycarefulthatyoudonotcrossthreadanyofthe
boltsasthismayloosentheTnuts.
Installawheelcollarontheaxel,thenthewheelpantwiththewheel
inside,addthesecondwheelcollar.Thisisabittrickyastheyall
mustbeproperlypositionedtogetherontheaxel.
Centerthewheelinthepantsandtightenthelockcollars.Makesure
thewheelturnsfreely.
NOTE:Youmayneedtoenlargetheholeinthebottomofthewheelpantforthewheelstoturnfreely.
11

MainLandingGearInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 1 mainlandinggearlegs
ÿ 6  832x1/2socketheadbolts
ÿ 6 lockwashers
ÿ 6 flatwashers
UsingasharpXActoknife,carefullyremovethecoveringfromtheFuselagewheretheLandingGearlegswillbe
insertedthroughtheFuselagesides.
InsertthegearlegsintotheFuselageandsecureusing3x832boltsandwashers.
TightentheboltsintothetreadedholesintheLandingGear.
NOTES:Beverycarefulthatyoudonotcrossthreadanyofthebolts.
YoumayhavetoenlargetheholesinthePlywoodMountingPlatetoallowLandingGearBoltstolineup
withthreadedholesinLandingGear.
12

SideDoorInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 2hingepoint
ÿ 1sidedoor.
UsingEpoxyGlue,securethehingepointsintothedoorframe.
Checkforproperdirectionofthehingemovement.Letthegluedry
beforeinsertingthehingesintotheFuselage.
TrialfitthedoorintotheFuselage.Youmayneedtotrimthedoorforthe
bestfit.Whensatisfiedwiththefitandoperation,securethehingesinto
theFuselageusingEpoxyGlue.Letthehingesdrybeforeopeningthe
door.
AileronHingeInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 8hingepoint
ÿ 2ailerons
TheAileronhingesprovidedareatopqualityhingepoint.Theyhavebeenfactorydrilledandfittedbutarenotgluedin
place.Youwillneedtoremovethempriortogluing.
DabasmallamountofEpoxyorcanopygluetoeachhingeandinsertthemintotheAileronholeuntilthehingeisjust
touchingagainsttheAileron.Remembertomakesuretheyaremovingintheproperdirection.
HINT:useasmalldropoflightoilonthehingesothatthegluedoesnotsecureorclogthehinges.
WaituntiltheglueisdrybeforegluingtheAileronsintotheWings.
13

AileronServoInstallation
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 2 aileronServosandmountinghardware(minimum70oztorque)
ÿ 2 18inchServoExtensions
ÿ 2 aileronServohatches
ÿ 8 smallwoodscrews
ÿ 2 controlhorntrumpetbases
ÿ 2 trumpetscrews
ÿ 2 trumpetclevises(blackplastic)
UsingasharpXactoknife,removethecoveringaroundtheServo
Wingcutouts.
InstalltheServosontothefactorypreinstalledmounting
blocksusingthehardwaresuppliedwithyourradio.
NOTE:AddagussetofEpoxyaroundthebaseofeach Servo
mountingblockforextrastrength.
Connectan18inchServoExtensiontotheServosandsecurethe
connectionwithtape.
Usingalightstring,tieanutorsmallweightooneendanddropit
throughtheWingribsopeningsuntilitappearsintheAileronServo
opening.TapeortiethestringtotheServoleadandcarefullypullit
throughtheWing.
14

SecuretheServoandhatchassemblytotheWingusingthesupplied
hardware,4xwoodscrews.
AligntheAileroncontrolrodswiththeServocontrolhornsandmarkthe
locationofthecontroltrumpetssothatthebaseisattheedgeofthe
Aileronbevelededge.
Drilla3/32”dia.holeonthesemarksthroughtheAileron.
NOTE:StrengthentheholebyapplyingafewdropsofthinCAgluetoreducetheamountofbalsacompression.
SecurethetrumpetassemblytotheAileron.Donotovertighten
thescrews.
ConnectthecontrolrodstotheServosusingtheclevisesorZ
bends.
15

WingStrutAssembly
Collecttheseparts.
ÿ 2 mainwings
ÿ 1 wingtube
ÿ 2  ¼ 20nylonwingbolts
ÿ 2frontwingstruts(hasslots)
ÿ 2rearwingstruts
ÿ 2factorybentwireinterplanewingstruts
ÿ 2lowerwingcuffs
ÿ 2upperwingcuffs
ÿ 2lowerwingstrut/Fuselagemountingbrackets
ÿ 4632x½socketheadcapbolts
ÿ 8632x¾socketheadcapbolts
ÿ 8–interplanewingstrutaluminumbrackets
SlidetheAluminumWingTubeintothefactoryinstalledtubeinthe
Fuselage.Makesureanequalamountoftubeisshowingonbothsides
oftheFuselage.
CarefullyslideandpositiontheWingsontheFuselageandsecure
themtotheFuselage tightly usingthesupplied¼20nylonWing
bolts.Youwillnoticeawoodendowelisprovidedtoalignthe
WingintheproperpositionontheFuselage.
NOTE:WhentighteningtheWingBoltsdonotcrushyourServoExtensionsbetweentheWingsandFuselage.
16

UsingasharpXactoknife,removethecoveringfromtheFuselage
wherethelowerWingStrutwillbelocated.
InstalltheWingStrutBracketintotheFuselageusingthesupplied6
32x¾”bolts.YouwillnoticethattheTnutshavebeenfactory
installed.
NOTE:Beverycarefulthatyoudonotcrossthreadanyofthebolts
asthismayloosentheTnuts.
InsertthebottomoftherearStrutintotheslotinthefrontStrutand
bolttogetherusinga632x½”boltandlocknut.Youmayhaveto
grindtheleadingedgeoftherearStruttofitproperly.
SlidethelowerfrontWingStrutcuffovertheWingStrut.
NOTE:YoumayhavetotrimtheCuffswithaRazorSawor
Dremelforthebestfit.
Usingthesuppliedhardware,(632x½”bolt&locknut),securethe
WingStruttotheWingStrutbracket.Donottightenasyet.
SlidetheforwardtopWingStrutCuffovertheStrutnotingits
directionandshape.
NOTE:InstalltheStrutswiththeairfoilshapefacingtheproper
direction
17

SecuretheWingStrutassemblytotheWingusingthesuppliedhardware,632x¾”bolts.
TIPS:YoucouldinsertnylonwashersbetweentheStrutsandWingsurfacetoreducethepressureonthecoveringand
balsa.
UseamagnettohelpfindhiddenfastenersifyouarehavingdifficultyusingtheWireStrutsasaguide..
ToaddsomestrengthtotheendoftheStrutsyoucouldEpoxywoodenplugsintotheopening.
SlidethetopWingStrutCuffovertheBoltandsecureitusingclearpackingtapeorequal.
NOTE:Youcanuseclearsiliconifyouwishamorepermanentattachment.
LocateandinstalltheinterplaneWingStrutsBracketsoverthewireends.
SecuretheinterplaneStrutstotheWingusingthesuppliedhardware,632x½”boltsandnuts.Somebendingmaybe
required.
18