Sawn Craft Mini 4-Fitt User guide

Revised 2016-01-21
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Mini 4-FittAssembly and
Setup Manual
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Specifications Recommended Power System (Click here to purchase)
Wingspan 18” Motor
10g to 15g, 2000kv Brushless Outrunner
Overall Length 14.1” ESC
10A Brushless Servos 2x 3.6g servos
Wing Area 144 in2Prop 5”x3” Electric
Flying Weight 3.125oz / 89g Receiver At least 4-channel
Intended Use In/Outdoor/Combat Battery 300mAh to 450mAh 2S 25C+ LiPo

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ThankyoufromSawnCraft.
ThankyouforpurchasingtheSawnCraftMini4‐Fittaircraft.Thismodelwasdevelopedtobe
theadversaryforourextremelysuccessfulMiniMana‐Tee.Addingfourverticalstabilizerslocatedon
theelevonsjustaddedtothefun!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Mini4‐Fittaircraftrepresentsthebenchmarkofsmall‐sized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buildingandflying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
2AssemblyInstructions4
2.1PartsPreparation4
2.2MainWingHalf&KFStepHalfJoining5
2.3ControlSurfaceInstallation6
2.4CarbonSpar&KFStepInstallation7
2.5FuselageInstallation8
2.6ServoInstallation8
2.7FirewallInstallation9
2.8ElectronicsInstallation&FuselageBottomInstallation 10
2.9ControlRodInstallation 11
2.10VerticalStabilizerInstallation 12
3SetupandTuning13
3.1CenterofGravity13
3.2ControlThrowsandExpo13
3.3Launching13
3.4FlyingTips14
3.5Decorating/Finishing14
3.6SpareParts14

SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page1160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
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.
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
•3MBlendermHingingTape
•200‐gritSandpaperonsandingblock
•Clearpackingtape
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

SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page2160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
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.
•SawnCraftMiniCompletionKit
oTurnigyC18222100kvmotor
o10ABrushlessESC
o2x3.6gServos
o6‐ChannelDSM2Receiver
o5”x3”ElectricProp
oJSTFemalePigtail
oShrinktube,etc.
•300mAhto450mAh2S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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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page3160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
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Half(2each)
b) KFStepHalf(2each)
c) FuselageHalf(2each)
d) FuselageBottom
e) VerticalStabilizer(4each)
f) Elevon(2each)
g) BatteryTray
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ComponentBag:
h) Mini4‐Fitt1/8”PlywoodFirewall
i) MicroControlHorn(4each)
j) 4"Z‐Bend(2each)
k) MicroEZ‐Connector(2each)
l) 12”0.083”CarbonRod
a
b
f
hik
l
j
a
d
c
e
f
g

SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page4160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oHobbyKnife
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.
2.1 Parts Preparation
•PartsRequired:
oAllFoamParts
oPlywoodFirewall
Warning:Thisprocessinvolvesusingextremelysharpcuttingblades.Caremustbetakentoavoidinjury.
1) Usingyourhobbyknife,carefullycutallofthesmallholdingtabsthatarekeepingtheparts
togetherinsidethesheets.Thetabsarelessthanfull‐foamthicknessandwillnotrequiremuch
forcetocut.
2) Takethe200‐gritsandpaperandsmooththeholdingtabsandtheedgesofthePlywoodFirewall.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page5160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
2.2 Main Wing Half & KF Step Half Joining
•PartsRequired:
o2xMainWingHalf
o2xKFStepHalf
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1) LaybothMainWingHalvesonaflatsurfacewiththemachinedcarbonsparchannelfacingup.
Applygluetotheentirematingsurfaceofoneofthehalvesthenjointhetwo,makingsurethatthe
alignmentarcsarelocatedproperlyandthehalvesfitnicelytogether.Allowassemblytocure
whileontheflatsurfacetoensureastraightwing.
2) LaybothKFStepHalvesonaflatsurface.Youwillseetheonlywaytoassemblethetwohalvesis
byaligningthealignmentarcsproperly.Applygluetotheentirematingsurfaceofoneofthe
halvesthenjointhetwo,makingsurethatthehalvesfitnicelytogether.Allowassemblytocure
whileontheflatsurfacetoensureastraightwing.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page6160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oHobbyKnife
oStraight‐edgeRuler
2.3 Control Surface Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
o2xElevons
Warning:Thisprocessinvolvesusingextremelysharpcuttingblades.Caremustbetakentoavoidinjury.
1) Laytheelevononthetablewiththeleadingedgefacingyou.Bothelevons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andrulertocuta~45°bevelintotheleadingedgeoftheelevon.Repeatforthe
otherelevon.
2) PlacetheMainWingAssemblyonthetablewithtopsideup.Aligntheelevonstotheirlocations
withtheirbevelsfacingdown.Theelevonsarealignedtotheedgeofthewing.UsingBlenderm
tape,applythreesmallstripstoeitherendofthecontrolsurfacesonthetopsideandtwosmall
stripsfromthebottom.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page7160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
o200‐gritSandpaper
2.4 Carbon Spar & KF Step Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oKFStepAssembly
o12”CarbonSpar
o2xPlywoodControlHorns
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1) LaytheMainWingAssemblyonthetablefacingup.Applyabeadofgluetheentirelengthofthe
carbonsparrecessinthewing.Placethecarbonsparintotherecess,ensuringthatitseatsevenly
intheslotandhasadequategluetosecureit.Allowthegluetocureforafewminutesbefore
proceeding.
2) DecidewhichsideoftheKFStepAssemblywillbefaceddownandapplygluearoundtheentire
perimeterofthepartaswellasazigzagdownthecenter.PlacetheKFStepAssemblyontothe
MainWingAssembly,ensuringtolineupalledges.Allowthegluetocureforafewminutesbefore
proceeding.Gluethecontrolhornsintotheirrespectiveslotsatthistime.
3) Usethesandpapertogentlyroundbothsidesoftheleadingedgeofthenewassemblytoyour
liking.
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.SeeSection3.5formoredetail.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page8160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
oClearpackingtape
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
2.5 Fuselage Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oFuselageHalf(2each)
oBatteryTray
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1) TurntheMainWingAssemblysuchthattheKFStepisfacingdown.Dry‐fitbothfuselagehalves
intotheirmatingslotsintheMainWingAssemblytoensureagoodfit.
2) Applyabeadofgluedowntheentirelengthoftheflatedgeofthefuselagehalf.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,butnotbeforegluingthebatterytray
intoplace,aligningthetabwiththefirstfuselagehalf.
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3)Addclearpackingtapetothefronthalfofthefusesideandbottomasitwillgivestrengthand
protectionfromlandingabrasionwithoutmuchaddedweight.
2.6 Servo Installation
•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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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page9160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
oBlendermhingetape

2.7 Firewall Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oMini4‐Fitt1/8”PlywoodFirewall

1) ApplyFoam‐Tactotheleadingedgeofthemainwingassemblywherethefirewallwillbeattached.
Takenoteofwhichsideyouwouldlikeyourmotorwirestoenterthroughtheslot,andpressthe
firewallontothefrontofthefuselage,ensuringthatallofthefirewalledgesareflushwiththeir
matingfoamsurfaces.Allowgluetocurefullybeforeinstallingmotor.
Itiseasiesttodrillyourmotormountingholesbeforeattachingthefirewalltothefuselage.
2) ApplyalongstripofBlendermtapefromonesideofthefuselage,acrossthefirewall,andtothe
otherfuselageside.Thiswillfurtherlockthefirewalltothefuselageintheeventofanimpact
duringcombat.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page10160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oSolderingIron
oHeatGun
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
2.8 Electronics Installation/Fuselage Bottom Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oFuselageBottom
oMotor,Receiver,ESC

1) SolderanynecessaryconnectorstoyourmotorandESC,ifneeded,andinstallthemotortothe
frontofthefirewallusingstandardservo‐mountingscrewsliketheonesthatyoudidn'tusefrom
yourservosonthismodel.Routethemotorwiresthroughtheslotinthefirewallandconnect
themtoyourESC.
2) AttachyourESCandreceiveroneithersideof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.
Bindthereceivertoyourradioandensureallfunctionsareworkingnowasitismoredifficulttoaccessthe
electronicsoncethefuselagebottomisinstalled.
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.Ifyouplantoflystreamercombatyoumayelectto
putasmallamountofclearpackingtapeontherearportionofthefuse.Thiswillallowyouto
tapethestreamertotheairplaneandremovethetapewhencompletedwithnodamagetothe
airframe.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page11160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
oHeatGun
2.9 Control Rod Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
o4"Z‐Bend(2each)
oMicroEZ‐Connector(2each)

1) InstalltheMicroEZ‐Connectorstotheouter‐mostholesonyourservohorns.
2) GentlyconnecttheZ‐bendsideofthelongestrodassemblytothecontrolhornontheelevons.
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.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page12160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
•ToolsRequired:
oBeaconFoam‐Tac
2.10 Vertical Stabilizer Installation
•PartsRequired:
oMainWingAssembly
oVerticalStabilizer(4each)
oWinglet(2each)

1) ApplyFoam‐Tactoslotsintherearoftheelevonsandgluetheverticalstabilizerstothemainwing
assembly,makingsurethestabilizerispushedallthewayforward.Wipeoffanyexcessglueand
allowtocure.
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SawnCraftMana‐TeeManual
Page13160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
3 Setup and Tuning
3.1 Center of Gravity
TheCGofthisplaneislocatedapproximatelyatthelocationofthecarbonsparinthe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elevon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elevon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14160121Mini4‐FittManual.docx
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andindoorflyingvenues,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4‐Fitt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narrow‐
width(~0.5”)x10’crepepaperstreamersattachedwithtapetotherearofthefuselagewithno
significantdegradationinperformance.Inthe“rare”casethata4‐Fittisinvolvedinamid‐aircollision,
the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withgoodresultsaswell.Priortousinganypaintsormarkers,testonascrappieceoffoam
toensurethatitdoesn’tdamage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.