Sawn Craft Mana-Tee User guide

Revised 2015-03-01
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
Mana-Tee Assembly
and Setup Manual
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Specifications Recommended Power System (Click here to purchase)
Wingspan 28” Motor
Emax 28-12 1534kv Brushless Outrunner
Overall Length 19.75” ESC 30A Brushless Servos 2x 9g servos
Wing Area 338.4 in2Prop 7”x4” Electric
Flying Weight 348g / 12.27oz. Receiver At least 4-channel
Intended Use Outdoor/Combat Battery 1000mAh to 1300mAh 3S25C+ LiPo

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ThankyoufromSawnCraft.
ThankyouforpurchasingtheSawnCraftMana‐Teeaircraft.Thismodelhasbeentheresultof
numerousdesignrevisionsthatnowdeliverafantastic‐flyingplanethatismoresharkthanmanateein
theair!ThelightweightandrigidXPSandcarbonconstructionmakesitpossibleforyoutoexperiencea
wideperformanceenvelope.Thismeansthatnomatterhowyouliketofly,you’llenjoybothstability
andmaneuverabilitywithoutanysacrificeinprecisionorcontrolfeel.
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YourSawnCraftMana‐Teeaircraftrepresentsthebenchmarkofelectriccombatperformance
andaerobaticversatility.Allyouhavetodonextisreadandapplytheinformationpresentedinthis
instructionmanual.
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Isincerelyhopethatyouenjoyyourmodelasmuchaswedo!Ifyouhaveanytroubleswith
theseinstructionsorinthesetupofyourmodelfeelfreetocontactusandwewillprovideyouwiththe
serviceyouexpectfromahobbyist‐ownedandoperatedbusiness.
JonathanSawn
Owner,SawnCraft
Jonathan@Sawn‐Craft.com

Table of Contents
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1Introduction1
1.1StyleConventions1
1.2RequiredTools&Supplies1
1.3RequiredPartsforCompletion 2
1.4IncludedPartsDescription 3
1.5ManufacturingandMaterialNote 4
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2AssemblyInstructions5
 
2.0MainWingAssembly5
2.1PartsPreparation6
2.2ControlSurfaceInstallation7
2.3KFStepInstallation8
2.4CarbonSparInstallation9
2.5FuselageInstallation10
2.6ServoInstallation10
2.7BatteryBoxAssembly&Installation11
2.8ElectronicsInstallation&FuselageBottomInstallation 12
2.9ControlRod&HornInstallation 13
2.10VerticalStabilizerInstallation 14
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3SetupandTuning15
3.1CenterofGravity15

3.2ControlThrowsandExpo15
3.3Launching15
3.4FlyingTips16
3.5Decorating/Finishing16
3.6SpareParts16

SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
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1 Introduction
Thecontentsofthismanualassumetheoperatorwillhavethefollowingprerequisites:
•Understandingofallappropriatesafetyproceduresandrequirements
•Theabilitytofollowwrittenproceduresandpossessbasichobbybuildingskills
1.1 Style Conventions
Belowaretheimportantstyleconventionsthatwillbeusedthroughouttheguide.
Note:Keypointsorhintsforsuccesswillbeformattedinthismanner.
Warning:Anyareathatposeseitheraphysicalhazardorthedangerwillbeformattedinthismanner.
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Arrowsinformwheretoperformthespecifiedoperation.
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Circleditemsinformofitemsofinterestforthespecifiedoperation.Circleditemswilltypicallybe
accompaniedbytextfurtheridentifyingtheregionofinterest.
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1.2 Required Tools & Supplies
Thelistbelowcontainsalloftherequiredtoolsandsuppliesthatarerequiredfortheassemblyand
tuningofthismodel.
•Clean,flatworksurface
•#11hobbyknife
•Straight‐edgeruler
•Solderingiron&solder
•Heatgun
•Wirecutters
•BeaconFoam‐Tac
•ThinorMediumCAglue
•3MBlendermHingingTape
•200‐gritSandpaperonsandingblock
•Pencil

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SawnCraftrecommendstheuseofBeaconFoam‐Tacadhesiveand3MBlendermHingeTapeforthe
constructionofthismodelduetoitsstrength,lightweight,andeasyuse.BothBlendermandFoam‐Taccanbe
purchasedbyvisitingtheBuildingSuppliestabonSawn‐Craft.com
1.3 Required Components/Parts for Completion
Thelistbelowcontainsalloftherequiredandrecommendedpartsforthesuccessfuloperationofthis
model.
•Mana‐TeeCompletionKit
oSawnCraftMana‐TeeCompletionKit–Standard
Emax28121534kvmotor
30ABrushlessESC
2x9gServos
6‐ChannelDSM2Receiver
7”x4”ElectricProp
Or
oSawnCraftMana‐TeeCompletionKit–HighPower
Turnigy28262200kvmotor
30ABrushlessESC
2x9gServos
6‐ChannelDSM2Receiver
6”x4”ElectricProp
•1000mAhto1300mAh3S25CLiPoBattery
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Pleasenotethatotherpowersystemsandcomponentsmaybecompatibleandmayworkwithoutissue,butthe
listedcomponentshavebeentestedsuccessfullybySawnCraft.
Optional Parts for Completion
Tomakeyourbuildeasierandensurethenicestlookingfinishedproduct,thefollowingproductsare
offeredonSawnCraft.com.SeetheBuildingSuppliestabfortheseproducts.
•ColoredPackingTape
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1.4 Included Parts Description
Pleaseinspectyourkitandensurethatalllistedpartsarepresentandundamaged.Ifyoufindmissing
partsorsignsofdamagepleasecontactSupport@Sawn‐Craft.comforassistance.
a) MainWingFront
b) KFStep
c) FuselageHalf(2each)
d) FuselageBottom
e) VerticalStabilizer(2each)
f) Elevator
g) Aileron(2each)
h) BatterySpacer
i) BatteryTray
j) Winglet(2each)
k) MainWingRear
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ComponentBag:
l) Mana‐Tee1/8”PlywoodFirewall
m) Mana‐Tee1/32”PlywoodBatteryBoxSide(2each)
n) StandardControlHorn(4each)
o) 2”0.063”ControlWirewithZ‐Bend(3each)
p) 2”0.063”ControlWire(3Each)
q) EZ‐Connectorfor0.063”controlwire(3each)
r) 11”0.083”CarbonRod
s) 6”0.083”CarbonRod(2each)
t) 24”CarbonTube
u) 2”3mmHeatShrinkTube(2each)
v) 4‐40ThreadedBlindNuts(4each)
w) 4‐40Bolt(4each)
a
b
c
d
e
g
f
h
i
j
k

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Aquicknoteaboutthemanufacturingmethodandmaterial
WehavedesignedthismodeltoutilizeXPSfoamthathasalightweightpaperlaminatedonbothsidesof
it.Theuseofthismaterialversusotheravailableoptionsgivesusmultiplebenefits,includingamore
rigidproductaswellasonethatismoredurablefortheintendedcombat‐flyinguse.
Toprovidethehighest‐qualityedgefinishweutilizeaCNCdrag‐knifethatcutsthefoamusinga
precisionblade.Thebladeisorientedatananglesoyouwillnotethatononesideofyourfoamthecuts
havesmallhashmarksthatextendbeyondthecuts;thisissimplyafunctionofthecutteranddoesnot
affectthedurabilityofthematerial.Asthesemarksarenotnecessarilythenicest‐looking,wehave
orientedthepartssuchthattheywillbehiddenwhenthemodeliscompleted.
Inordertomaintaintheintegrityofthismaterial,caremustbetakentoeithernotgetthefoamwet
(includingpaintingwithwater‐basedpaints),orifthatisnotpossible,coattheentiremodelinoil‐based
polyurethanepriortoflyingtoprotectthefoam.Wehaveflowncountlessflightswithourtestmodels
builtofthismaterialandwithalittlebitofcaretherehavebeennoissues.Wedorecommendeither
tapingtheleadingedgesofthemodelorusingathincoatofFoam‐Tacontheedgeofthefoamto
protecttheexposedpaperfromdelamination.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthematerialorourmanufacturingmethodpleasedon’thesitateto
contactusandwe’dbegladtochat!


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2 Assembly Instructions
Theorderofassemblypresentedinthisinstructionhasbeentestedanditisrecommendedthatyoudonot
differfromthemtoprovidethemostaccurateandeasiestassemblypossible.
2.0 Main Wing Assembly
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingFront
oMainWingRear
Duetochangesinourpackaging,wewereforcedtomodifythemainwingandthisstepcoversassemblyofthe
twomainwingpiecesintowhatwillbereferredtoas"MainWing".
1) CarefullyremovetheMainWingFrontandMainWingRearfromtheirrespectivesheets.Lay
bothpiecesonaflatbuildingsurfacewiththepaperscorecutsfacingup.
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2) Applygluetothematingedgeofoneofthepiecesandassemble.Whenthegluehascured,
peelthepaperoffofthescoredareasnearestthegluedseam.Ifdesired,applyonestripof
clearpackingtapeovertheseamtomakethejointseamless.
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2.1 Parts Preparation
3) PartsRequired:
oMainWing
o2xFuselageHalf
o2xVerticalStabilizer
oFuselagebottom
oMana‐Tee1/32”PlywoodBatteryBoxSide(2each)
oStandardControlHorn(4each)

1) Laythemainwingonaflatbuildingsurfacewiththeknifehashmarksfacingup.Peelthethin
paperstripsoffofthefoamwhereithasbeenscoredforthefuselagetomatewithit.Thissidewill
nowbereferredtoasthebottom.Thiswillgivetheglueaplacetomakeafoam‐to‐foambond
whichisstrongerthanfoam‐to‐paper.
2) Laytheverticalstabilizerswiththehashmarksfacingupandpeelthethinpaperstripsoffthe
foamforthewingtomatewithit.
3) Laythefuselagehalveswiththehashmarksfacingupandpeelthepapersectionoffofthefront
partofthepiece,wherethebatteryboxwillmount.
4) Laythefuselagebottomwiththehashmarksfacingupandpeelthethinpaperstripsoffthefoam
forthefuselagesideswillmatewithit.
5) Useahobbyknifetocarefullycutthecontrolhornsandbatteryboxsidesfromtheirmaterial
skeleton.Takethe200‐gritsandpaperandsmooththeholdingtabsandtheedgesoftheparts.
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2.2 Control Surface Installation
4) PartsRequired:
oMainWing
oElevator
o2xAilerons
Warning:Thisprocessinvolvesusingextremelysharpcuttingblades.Caremustbetakentoavoidinjury.
1) Laytheelevatoronthetablewiththeleadingedgefacingyouandthecontrolhornslottotheleft.
Useahobbyknifetocuta~45°bevelintotheleadingedgeoftheelevator.
2) Laytheailerononthetablewiththeleadingedgefacingyou.Bothaileronsaremirrorsofeach
othersoorientation(LorR)doesn’tmatteraslongasyoucutthebevelproperlyfortheside.Use
ahobbyknifetocuta~45°bevelintotheleadingedgeoftheaileron.Repeatfortheotheraileron.
3) Placethemainwingonthetablewithtopsideup.Aligntheaileronsandelevatortotheir
locationswiththeirbevelsfacingdown.UsingBlendermtape,apply2x2”stripstoeitherendof
thecontrolsurfaces.Fliptheassemblyoverandapply2x2”stripsofBlendermagaintoeitherend
ofthecontrolsurfaces,beingsuretogetthetapedownintothebevel.
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2.3 KF Step Installation
5) PartsRequired:
oMainWing
oKFStep
Warning:Thisprocessinvolvesusingextremelysharpcuttingblades.Caremustbetakentoavoidinjury.
1) LaytheKFsteponthetablewiththehashcutmarksfacingup.Peelthepapercompletelyoffthis
sideofthepart.
2) LaythebarefoamsideoftheKFsteponthetopofthemainwing,aligningitwithalloftheedges.
Withapencil,gentlytracealineonthemainwingwherethetrailingedgeoftheKFstepis.
RemovetheKFstepanduseastraight‐edgerulerandahobbyknifetolightlycutjustthetoplayer
ofpaper.Oncecut,removethepaperthatwillbebelowtheKFstep.
3) SpreadanevencoatofFoam‐TaconthefoamsideoftheKFstepandglueittotheexposedfoam
ofthemainwing,ensuringtolineupalledges.
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
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





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Optional:Youmaybevelorroundthe
leadingedgesofthewingtoyour
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2.4 Carbon Spar Installation
6) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
o24”CarbonTube

1) LaythemainwingassemblyonthetablewiththeKFmstepfacingdown.Applyabeadofglue
downtheentirelengthoftheslotwherethecarbontubewillbeinstalled.
2) Insertthecarbontubeintotheslotwithagentletwistingactioninordertocoattheentirerod
withglue.Ensurethetubeissittingevenlyintheslotandisflushwiththebottomsurfaceofthe
wing.Allowtheglueontheentireassemblytocurebeforeproceeding.

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Thisisanidealtimetodecoratethepartsastheyarestillflatandwillbeeasiertohandle.Werecommendusing
coloredpackingtapeasitwilladdstrengthanddurabilityaswellasvividcolor.
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2.5 Fuselage Installation
7) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oFuselageHalf(2each)

1) Applyabeadofgluedowntheentirelengthoftheflatedgeofthefuselagehalf.Notewhichside
ofthefuselagehalfhasthecuthashmarks;thiswillfaceinsidethecompletedfuselage.
2) Pressthegluedsideofthefuselagehalfontothemainwingassembly,aligningallofthetabswith
theslotsinthemainwing.Repeatthisprocessfortheotherfuselagehalf.

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2.6 Servo Installation
8) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oServo(2each)

1) Applyabeadofglueonthebottomoftheservomountingtabs.Installtheservosintotheslotscut
inthemainwing,withtheservooutputsplinefacingtowardthebackoftheplane.


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2.7 Battery Box Assembly/Installation
9) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oMana‐Tee1/8”PlywoodFirewall
oMana‐Tee1/32”PlywoodBatteryBoxSide(2each)
oBatterySpacer
oBatteryTray
o4‐40ThreadedBlindNuts(4each)

1) Placethe1/8”firewallonthetablewiththeslotorientedtowhicheversideyouprefer.Notethat
theholesaredrilledsuchthattheywillbeonthelowersideofthemountwheninstalled.Insert
theblindnutsintotheholesthatcorrespondwithyourmotorofchoice.
2) Insertthe1/32”batteryboxpiecesintotheslotssuchthatthecurvededgeisflushatthefront
withthebottomofthefirewall.UsethinormediumCAtosecurethebatteryboxpiecestothe
firewall.Thecompletedassemblyisshown.



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3) Peelthepaperoffofbothsidesofthebatterytrayandthebatteryspacer.ApplyFoam‐Tactothe
batteryspacerandinstallitinfrontoftheaileronservosuchthatitiscenteredside‐to‐sideandis
touchingthefrontoftheservo.
4) ApplyFoam‐Tactoonesideofthebatterytrayandglueittothebatteryspacerandthebottomof
theaileronservo.Again,ensurethatthetrayiscenteredside‐to‐sideandistouchingtheelevator
servo.Ifdesired,youcanapplypackingtapetothebatterytrayononesidetogiveasolidbasefor
mountingVelcroforthebattery.
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5) ApplyFoam‐Tactoeithersideofthebatteryboxassemblyandthefrontofthefuselagesidesas
wellastheleadingedgeofthemainwingassemblywherethefirewallwillbeattached.Slidethe
batteryboxassemblyintothefuselagesuchthatthe1/32”plypiecesfitbetweenthebatterytray
andfuselagesides.
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2.8 Electronics Installation/Fuselage Bottom Installation
10) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oFuselageBottom
o4‐40Bolt(4each)
oMotor,receiver,ESC

1) AttachyourESCandreceiverontheinsideofthefuselage.WerecommendusingVelcrofor
mountingtoeaseinadjustmentandremoval.PlugbothservoplugsandtheESCplugintothe
receiver.
2) Solderanynecessarybulletconnectorstoyourmotor,ifneeded,andinstallthemotortothefront
ofthefirewallusingthefour4‐40bolts.Routethemotorwiresthroughtheslotinthefirewalland
connectthemtoyourESC.
3) Applygluetotheexposededgesofthebottomofthefuselagesidesandinstallthefuselage
bottom,aligningallofthetabsintotheslots.
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2.9 Control Rod/Horn Installation
11) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oStandardControlHorn(4each)
o2”0.063”ControlWirewithZ‐Bend(3each)
o2”0.063”ControlWire(3Each)
oEZ‐Connectorfor0.063”controlwire(3each)
o11”0.083”CarbonRod
o6”0.083”CarbonRod(2each)
o2”3mmHeatShrinkTube(2each)

1) ApplyFoam‐Tactothebottomofthecontrolhornsandinsertthemintotheslotscutinthe
elevatorandtheailerons,makingsurethattheholeslineupdirectlyabovethecontrolsurface
hingeline.
2) ApplyFoam‐TactotheendofaZ‐bendwireandglueittotheendofacarbonrod.Oncetacky,
slidea~1”pieceofheatshrinktubeoverthewireandtheendofthecarbonrodandshrinkitto
holdthejointsecurelywithabout1”ofwireprotrudingfromthecarbonrod.Repeatthisforthe
othertworods.
3) Theprocessisthesameforsecuringthestraightpiecesofcontrolwireontheendofeachrod.
4) InstalltheEZ‐Connectorstoyourservohorns.
5) GentlyconnecttheZ‐bendsideofthelongestrodassemblytothecontrolhornontheelevator.
SlidethestraightendofwireintotheEZ‐Connectorandcenterthecontrolsurfacemanuallythen
tightenthegrubscrewtosecuretherodtotheservo.
6) Repeatstep5withtheshorterrodassembliesandinstallthemontheailerons.
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2.10 Vertical Stabilizer Installation
12) PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oVerticalStabilizer(2each)
oWinglet(2each)

1) ApplyFoam‐Tactotheexposedfoamthatyoupeeledthepaperfromandgluethevertical
stabilizerstothemainwingassembly,aligningthetabswiththeslots.
2) ApplyFoam‐Tactothestraightedgeofthewingletandinstallthemtotheoutsideofthevertical
stabilizers,aligningthetabwiththeslotandensuringthattheleadingedgeofthewingletisflush
withtheverticalstab’sleadingedge.
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3 Setup and Tuning
3.1 Center of Gravity
TheCGofthisplaneislocatedapproximately1.5to1.75”fromtheleadingedgeofthemainwing.
MovingtheCGforeandaftwilldramaticallychangethehandlingoftheplanesoadjusttoyourliking.
AnaftCGwillallowforslower,high‐alphaflight,butwillbemoreunstablewhileamoreforeCGwill
provideafaster,more“lockedin”flightexperience.Usethefore/aftlocationofthebatterytoadjust
theCGwithoutaddingadditionalweight.
3.2 Control Throws & Expo
Byalteringtheamountofcontrolthrowthesurfaceshaveyoucanfine‐tunethehandlingand
performance.Belowaretherecommendedsettingsastestedthatwillprovideasuccessfulflying
experience.Throwsaremeasuredatthepointfarthestfromthehinge.
ControlSurfaceLowRateThrow LowRateExpo HighRateThrowHighRateExpo
Elevator1/2in(70%)30%1in(100%)45%
Aileron1in(70%)30%2in(100%)45%
Theaileroncontrolsurfaceshavebuilt‐indifferentialsotheywillmovemoreintheupdirectionthaninthe
downdirection.Thishelpstoeliminateadverseyaw.Measurethethrowontheaileronsintheupdirection.
3.3 Launching
Launchingthisaircraftisverysimpleandiseasytodo.Simplyholdtheairplanebythefuselageinone
handwithyourradiointheother.Advancethethrottletofullandgentlytosstheaircraftforward,
releasingitwithwingslevelandaslightlyupattitude.
Thisisahigh‐performancemodelaircraft!Extremecaremustbetakentoavoidthepropasitis
spinningextremelyfastandcancauseseriousbodilyinjury.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page16150301Mana‐TeeManual.docx
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3.4 Flying Tips
Thisaircraftisdesignedtobetheperfect“tossinthecar”modelformostfliers!Thecompactsize
allowsittoflyinsmallerparks,butthespeedthatitiscapableofmakesitagreatchoiceforyourlocal
flyingfieldaswell.Withsmallercontrolthrowsandmoreexpo,theMana‐Teeisagreatchoicefor
newerpilotsthataregettingtheirfeetwetwithaileroncontrols.Turnthethrowsupandyougeta
planethatisextremelyaerobaticandwillperformaxialrollsatanalarmingrate!Landingtheaircraftis
simple;keepsomethrottleappliedandastheplanenearstheground,pullbackontheelevatortoflare.
Wedevelopedthismodelforclubcombateventsandhavefoundmanypilotsbringingthemoutonnon‐
combatnightsbecausetheyarejustsomuchfuntofly!Whenwedoflycombatwehaveusedfull‐
width(~2”)x20’crepepaperstreamersattachedwithtapetotherearofthefuselagewithno
significantdegradationinperformance.Inthe“rare”casethataMana‐Teeisinvolvedinamid‐air
collision,thereinforcedplywoodbatteryboxandstrong,interlockingconstructionshouldprovideyour
electronicsandbatteryprotectionoverothercombatplanedesigns.
Remember:AlwaysfollowtheAMAsafetyguidelines!Neverflyoverpeopleoranimals.
3.5 Decorating/Finishing
Thebeautyofthisaircraftisthatyouhavetheopportunitytofinishitwiththelookthatyoudesire.We
recommendusingcoloredpackagingtape(availableontheBuildingSuppliessectionofourwebsite)for
decoratingasitiseasytouse,lightweight,andprovidesanice,glossyfinish.Water‐basedpaintshave
beenusedifthefoamhadpreviouslybeentreatedwithoil‐basedpolyurethane.Priortousingany
paintsormarkers,testonascrappieceoffoamtoensurethatitdoesn’tmeltthefoam.
Rememberthatanyweightyouaddtotheairframewillaffectitsperformancesokeepheavyapplicationsof
paintanddecalstoaminimum.
3.6 Repairs & Spare Parts
Duetothismodelsdesignandlightweight,itissurprisinglydurable!Ifapartofthemodelisdamagedit
cantypicallyberepairedusingsmallpiecesofpackagingtapeorbygluingusingBeaconFoamTac.
Ifapartisdamagedbeyondrepair,simplysendusanemailatSupport@Sawn‐Craft.comaswehave
replacementpartsavailableforpurchase.