Stevens Aero Model LiddleRod 2.4 User manual

LiddleRod
Micro RC Model for Spektrum / ParkZone 2.4 systems
Length 12.5 inches | Span 14.75 inches | Wing Area 57 inches2| Flying Weight 1.1 oz.
Photo Supplement for Plans Dated 03.08.2010
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 1 of 14
2.4

Product Support
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 2 of 14
WARRANTY
Stevens AeroModel guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the
date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification.
In no case shall Stevens AeroModel’s liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further,
Stevens AeroModel reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
LIABILITY RELEASE
In that Stevens AeroModel has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly,
no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final
user-assembled product. By the act of using the user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting
liability.
If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is
advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN 12 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER
WARNING: This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and
or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
PRODUCT SUPPORT
This product has been engineered to function properly and perform as advertised with the suggested
power system and supporting electronics as outlined within this product manual. Product support
cannot be provided nor can Stevens AeroModel assist in determining the suitability or use of
electronics, hardware, or power systems not explicitly recommended by Stevens AeroModel.
For product assembly support, replacement parts, hardware, and electronics to complete this model
please contact Stevens AeroModel on-line at www.stevensaero.com.
Stevens AeroModel
PO Box 15347 - Colorado Springs, CO 80935 - USA
719-387-4187 - www.stevensaero.com

Project Checklist
Kit Contents
Laser cut wood (5 Sheets - See inventory on following pages)
Illustrated instruction manual - Available for Download Only
Computer drawn 11x17 plan set (2 Pages)
Laser cut profile pilot figure, assorted color (Courtesy of Kris Cartwright)
Taped to Back of Wood Brick
2 - 12 in. Length of 0.015 in. dia. Wire
1 - 12 in. Length of 0.025 in. dia. Wire
1 - 12 in. Length of 0.020 in. dia. Carbon Rod
Hardware Bag (4 x 6 in.)
1 - 1.5 in. Length of 1/16 in. dia. heat shrink tube
1 - 3.0 in. Length of 1/2 in. Velcro (non sticky back)
2 - Delrin Wheels
Required Electronics (Available at StevensAero.com)
Spektrum compatible radio with servo reversing. We suggest the DX5e (DX6i if using AR6400).
ParkZone [PKZ3351] or Spektrum [AR6400] Ultra Micro Receiver/ESC/Servo System.
ParkZone Motor and Gearbox [PKZ3624] (Same motor as used in the Sukhoi and UM P-51)
ParkZone UM P-51 Propeller [PKZ3601] or E-Flite [EFL9051] 130mm x 70mm propeller.
ParkZone [PKZ1035] or E-Flite [EFLB1201S] 110-120mAh 3.7V LiPo Battery
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 3 of 14
Required Building Supplies and Tools
1/2 oz. Medium CA Glue
1/2 oz. Thin CA Glue
CA glue accelerator (kicker)
Hobby Knife with ample supply of #11 blades
Sanding block with 400 and 600 grit paper
Covering Iron and Heat Gun
Small Needle Nose Pliers
Small Round “Rat-Tail” file.
1 in. x 2 in. length sticky back velcro
3/4 in. wide clear tape
1 Roll AeroLITE (solite)
Suggested Building Supplies
CA glue de-bonder
Long sanding bar
Low Tack Painters Masking Tape
Dubro Servo Tape [DUB-634]

General Assembly Instructions
Thank you, for purchasing this Stevens AeroModel LiddleRod™. An indoor micro RC model developed
for the popular Spektrum and ParkZone 2.4ghz micro receiver/esc/servo “brick” or “puck” systems. This
model has been developed and manufactured using state of the art CAD/CAM systems and features a
unique interlocking construction process that, when compared to traditional methods found in other model
aircraft kits, save countless hours of measuring, cutting, sanding, and fitting. We are certain that you’ll
find our kit to offer a truly exceptional build experience. At any time should you run across a term or
technique that is foreign please don’t hesitate to contact our staff with your questions.
READ THIS
Please READ and RE-READ these instructions along with any other included documentation prior to
starting your build and or contacting our staff for builder support.
Pre-sanding
Do not skip this step. Prior to removing any parts from the laser cut sheet wood use a sanding block
loaded with 250-400 grit paper and lightly sand the back side of each sheet of wood. This step removes
any residue produced as a result of the laser cutting process and, as we have found that most stock wood
sizes run several thousandths of an inch over sized, slightly reduces the thickness of each sheet.
Leave your pre-sanded parts in the sheet until required in the assembly process.
Protecting your worktable
Use the poly tube that this kit was shipped in as a non-stick barrier between your worktable and the
product assembly. Promptly clean up any epoxy spills with rubbing alcohol and a disposable towel.
Bonding the assembly
As this product tabs, notches, and otherwise interlocks like a 3D puzzle we suggest that when fitting parts
you dry fit (use no glue) the parts together first. It’s advised to work 1-2 steps ahead in the instructions
using this dry-fit technique which allows ample opportunity to inspect the fit and location of assembled
components and realizes a benefit as each successive part contributes to pulling the entire assembly
square. Once you arrive at the end of a major assembly step(s) square your work on top of a flat building
table and revisit the dry fit joints with glue. Using the dry-fit process you’ll be able to recover from a minor
build mistake and will ultimately end up with a more square and true assembly.
Unless otherwise noted in the instructions, always use medium CA glue for bonding parts.
Never force the fit!
Remember this is a precision cut kit our machines cut to within 1 thousandth of an inch in accuracy. Yet
the wood stock supplied by the mill may vary in thickness by up to 20 thousandths. This variance in the
wood stock can cause some tabs/notches to fit very tight. Hey, dad always said it was easier to take
away material than add it back. With this in mind, should you find a joint or two to fit rather snug consider
lightly sanding a tight fitting tab rather than crushing and forcing your parts together. You’ll break fewer
parts in assembly and will end up with a more square and true assembly.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 5 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Dry fit parts F2 and F3 together. Position
parts so the marked “top” faces up. DO NOT
GLUE.
In the same manner dry fit F4...
...Then F1 to the assembly.
Fit assembly to the right fuselage side FL and
tack glue at tab and notch locations.
Fit left fuselage side FR to assembly and tack
glue.
Fit and tack glue part F5 to top of fuselage.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 6 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Fit and tack glue F6 to top of fuselage, stating
at the rear edge of the cockpit.
Bring fuselage sides and F6 together at the
rear and tack glue. Square fuselage on flat
surface and glue all joints with thin CA.
Fit G1 behind F2...
...then G2 behind G1 to form landing gear
pocket. When satisfied with fit, wick thin CA
around assembly and in gear pocket.
Fit motor mount doubler F8 to top of ply motor
mount.
Match profile of F8 with that of F1 and glue in
place.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 7 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Fit and glue F7 to notches in front of fuselage
assembly.
Fit and glue vertical stabilizer parts V1 and V2
together.
Fit vertical stabilizer to slots in fuselage
assembly. Align stabilizer perpendicular to
fuselage top and glue.
Fit horizontal stabilizer H1 to bottom of
fuselage using tabs on fuselage and bottom
of vertical stabilizer to align. Square stabilizer
to vertical fin and glue.
Fit/glue lower fin V4 to horizontal stabilizer
and V2. Double the fake tailwheel/skid with
two V5 1/32 in. ply disks.
Bend landing gear per plan sheet and fit to
gear block.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 8 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Secure landing ear within slot with part G3
and glue.
Assemble right and left wheel pants. Locate
wheel pant parts 1 - 4 and A - D.
Tack parts in ascending order from work table
up. Align edges and glue.
Sand edges of pants round and taper to a
pleasing shape.
Fit wheel pants and nylon wheels to landing
gear. secure with medium CA. Do not allow
glue to contact nylon wheel within pants.
Bevel leading edges of rudder and elevator.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 9 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Glue one control horn to the RIGHT side of
the rudder. Glue the other horn to the
UPPER LEFT side of the elevator.
Install rudder and elevator with small strips of
clear tape.
Clip prongs from motor gear box and lightly
sand tabs smooth.
Install motor so shaft points slightly to the
right of the aircraft centerline. Secure with
medium CA.
Feed power lead through hole in fire wall and
into radio compartment.
Install receiver/servo brick to bottom of F3
with double sided tape. Make and install
push rods per push rod detail on wing
assembly plan page.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 10 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Create faux glow engine by stacking disks A
through J on a scrap piece of .025 wire.
Paint cylinder black and glue to front of F7
with medium CA.
Glue pilot cut-outs to balsa figure part P with
contact cement.
Fit and glue pilot to part F3.
Wing Construction
Fit and glue parts W1a and W1b together.
Fit and glue rib R2 to slot in leading edge of
wing.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 11 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Wrap frame over rib fitting rear tab in slot and
aligning trailing edge with etch marks. Glue.
Center ribs R3 and R4 to the etch marks on
the leading edge of the wing frame and glue.
tape the leading edge to the work surface,
then wrap the frame over the ribs and glue at
trailing edge.
Install S2 and S3 wing spars to corresponding
notches in wing frame and ribs R3 and R4.
Fit S1 to rib R1 - Do not glue.
Fit S1/R1 assembly to slot in rib R2 and wing
frame. Align and secure with thin CA.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 12 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Sight along flats of ribs forward of spar S3 to
ensure wings are not warped. If you discover
that your wings are warped: Lightly mist wing
with glass cleaner solution and pin to a flat
work surface. Allow to dry completely before
removing. Lightly sand wings to a smooth
finish.
Final Assembly
We have found it beneficial to lightly mist the
entire airframe, prior to covering, with a
lacquer based spray - We recommend Deft,
available at your hardware store.
Cover model using small swatches of light
weight covering material such as AeroLite.
Cover only the TOP surface of the wing.
Performance of this model will be reduced
SIGNIFICANTLY by covering the underside of
the wing.
Fit wings to the fuselage assembly. The
wings interlock with the fuselage sides at the
spar and the leading and trailing edges.
Once satisfied that the are no gaps between
the fuselage and the wing root, secure the
wing with CA glue along the top and bottom
root edge and within the fuselage along the
spar tab.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 13 of 14

Fuselage Construction
Struts - while these are not required, we have
found them beneficial for controlling wing
washout. Follow the directions in step 4 of
Final Assembly instructions on plan set for
installation.
Show your completed LiddleRod™ off to
friends and family.
LiddleRod™ © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved. Page 14 of 14