THUNDER TIGER Dragonfly 15 User manual

WARRANTY
Thunder Tiger Model Company guarantees this model kit to be free from defects in both material and
workmanship at date of manufacture.This warranty does not cover any components damaged by use or
modification and in no case shall Thunder Tiger’s liability exceed the original purchase price of the kit.
Thunder Tiger also reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
Since Thunder Tiger Model Co. has no control over possible shipping damages or construction tech-
niques and materials used for construction by the modeler, no liability can be assumed nor accepted for
damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using this
user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.If the buyer is not prepared to accept this
liability, he should return this kit in new and unused condition to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Assembly Instructions
Item No. 4574
JE6640
Specifications:
Wing Span: 44"(1116mm)
Length: 35 1/4" (896mm)
Weight: 37~40 oz.(1050~1150g)
Engine: .10~.15 req'd
Radio: 3~4 channel req'd

2
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
All of us at Thunder Tiger want to thank you for choosing the best looking, easiest building and best
flying ARF trainer available the...Dragonfly 15.This kit features state-of-the-art engineering that provides
quick and easy assembly of a strong, yet lightweight airplane that will give you an enjoyable and
educational experience.
To gain the most from this airplane kit, it is important that you read the instructions thoroughly and then
follow them exactly.This instruction manual has been written with a novice modeler in mind, but includes
many hints and modeling tips that even experienced modelers can benefit from. We strongly suggest
that you read through the instructions completely before beginning construction.This will give you a good
idea of the construction sequence and eliminate many questions you might have if you did not read the
manual prior to starting the actual construction.
The first thing you should do before beginning assembly is to check the contents of your kit against the
parts list on page 4. If any parts are missing, contact your dealer immediately for replacement.
Customers in the United States and Canada may contact Ace Hobby Distributors at 2055 Main Street,
Irvine, CA 92614 1-949-833-7498 for replacement parts. Under no circumstances can a kit be returned
if assembly has already been started.
Introduction .............................2
Other Items Required................... 2
Items Need Check List ................. 3
Parts List .............................. 4
Pre-Assembly Notes.................... 5
Wing ................................... 5-6
Tail Feathers............................ 6
Fuselage ............................... 7
Install the Engine........................8-9
Control Horn............................ 9-10
Servo Installation........................10-12
Radio Adjustment........................13
Balance.................................14
Pre-Flight Check ........................15
Post-Flight check list.....................16
A checklist is also provided on the next page
which willmake shopping for these items easier.
TABLE OF CONTENTS OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED
FOR ASSEMBLY
Radio - A 4-channel radio with four standard
servos is required. Most lower priced 4-channel
radios only come with three standard servos
so you may need to purchase the fourth servo
separately.

3
ITEMS NEEDED
Adhesives - You will need two types of adhe-
sives for the Dragonfly - Epoxy and Instant
(cyanoacrylate) adhesives. We recommend that
you purchase both 5-minute and 30-minute
epoxy to cut down on assembly time, but you
can get by with only 30-minute epoxy if time is
not important. You will also need a small bottle
of both “Thick” and “Thin” instant adhesive.
Tools - Model assembly can be much easier if
the proper tools are used. Therefore, we have
included in our checklist to the right, a complete
listing of all the tools we used to assemble
our prototype models. As you will notice, many
household tools can be utilized during construction.
Engine - The Thunder Tiger GP-15 is the ideal
engine for this airplane. This quiet running
engine is easy to start, requires no special
break-in periods, is very easy to maintain and
will last for years.
Flight Equipment - There are several “support”
items that you will need to purchase in order to
get your engine running and your plane in the
air.These are listed at the bottom of the page.
Comprehensive Items Needed
Check List
❏4-Channel Radio with 4 Standard Servos
❏5-Minute Epoxy (4 ounces or so)
❏30-Minute Epoxy (4 ounces or so)
❏“Thin” Instant Adhesive (1/2 ounce)
❏
“ Thick” Instant Adhesive (1/2 ounce)
❏Hobby Knife and Blades
❏Epoxy Mixing Sticks and/or Brushes
❏Sandpaper (80, 150 grit)
❏Masking Tape
❏Rubbing Alcohol
❏Paper Towels
❏Ruler
❏90 Degree Triangle
❏Waxed Paper
❏Fine-Point, Felt-Tip Pen
❏Misc. Household Tools
❏Drill and Bits (1/16", 5/64", 1/8")
Flight Equipment
❏Foam Rubber Padding for the radio
❏Stick on Lead Strip for balancing the plane
❏3 or 4 Props (see engine instructions)
❏10%-15% Glow Fuel
❏Fuel Pump or Bulb
❏Electric Starter or “Chicken Stick”
❏Glow Plug Clip and Battery
❏Extra Glow Plug(s)

4
PARTS SKETCHES
AS6272 Horizontal Tail
AS6271 Main Wing
PE0009 Hardware Set AS6276 Main Landing Gear
AS6275 Linkage Set
No.3280W Spinner
AS6270 Fuselage
AS6274 Nylon Pushrod
Fuselage(1)
Hex Wrench(1)
EZ Connector(1) M2 Nut(1)
3x3mm Set Screw(1) M2 Washer(2)
No. 3268 Tank
No. 3268 Tank
AS6243 Control Horn
AS6273 Vertical Tail
AS6278 Decal
Decal(1)
2x22mm Screw(2)
Nylon Torque Horn(2)
Backplate(2)
Control Horn Base(2)
No.3254 Wheel
Nylon Torque Horn(2)
M3 Spring Washer(4)3x14mm Machine Screw(4)M3 Washer(4)M3 Nut(4)
Rubber Band(6) Dowel(2)
CA Hinge(6)
Left Wing(1) Right Wing(1)
Horizontall Tail(1)
CA Hinge(4)
Vertical Tail(1)
CA Hinge(2)
Outer Rod(2)
Clevis(2)Z bent Threaded End(2) Straight Threaded End(2)
Inner Rod(2)
Wheel(2)
Back Plate(1)
2.8x8mm
Self Tapping Screw(2)
Spinner(1)
Crank Weight (1)
90-degree Nipple (1) Tank (1)
Fuel Stopper (1)
Fuel Cap (1)
Silicone Tube(1) Straight Nipple (1)
120cc (4oz.)
3x12mm
Wood Screw(6)
Collar(2)
2.6x5mm
Machine Screw(2)
Main Gear(1)
Retainer(3)
Piano Wire(1)
Guide Tube(1)
Aileron Pushrod(2) Clevis(2)
Joiner(2)
Aileron Servo Stand(2)
Brass Tube(2)
Wing Protector(1)
ORDER BY BAG NUMBER ONLY
INDIVIDUAL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE

❏2.Trial fit the wing joiner into one of the wing pan-
els, sand it until it fits smoothly. Next, slide the
other wing half onto the joiner until the wing
panels meet. Mix approximately three ounces of
30-Minute Epoxy. Note: When joining the wing
halves it is extremely important to use plenty of
epoxy.Use a mixing stick or scrap piece of wood
to apply a generous amount of epoxy into the
wing joiner slot of one wing half. Ensure that the
epoxy is applied to all sides of the slot.
❏ 3.Coat one half of the joiner with epoxy up to the
centerline. Install the epoxy-coated side of the
joiner into the wing joiner slot, making sure that
the joiner is positioned correctly. Lightly coat the
epoxy on all sides of the exposed area of joiner
and wing roots as well as the slot of the other
wing half. Carefully slide the wing halves togeth-
er, ensuring that they are accurately aligned.
Firmly press the two halves together and wipe
off the excess epoxy. There should not be any
gap between the wing halves.You might wisely
use mask tape to hold the wing together. Allow
the wing joint to cure.
5
PRE-ASSEMBLY
PRE-ASSEMBLY NOTE
❏1.If you are not an experienced R/C pilot, plan to
have a fully competent pilot check your complet-
ed model and help you with your first flights.
Even though we have tried to provide you with a
very thorough instruction manual, R/C models
are rather complicated and an experienced
modeler can quickly check over your model to
make sure your first flights are successful.
❏2.Please assemble your model according to these
instructions. Do not attempt to modify or change
in any way as doing so may adversely change its
flying characteristics.
❏3.Before you begin, please check the entire con-
tents of this kit against the parts list and photo to
make sure that no parts are missing or dam-
aged. This will also help you to become familiar
with each component of your plane. If you find
that any of the parts are either missing or dam-
aged, please contact your dealer immediately
for replacement.
Note:Your dealer cannot accept kits for return if
construction has begun.
WING ASSEMBLY
❏1.Locate two wing joiners and sand gently to
remove any rough edges. Apply 5-Minute epoxy
or thick CA to glue two joiners together. Clamp
the two joiners together using clothespins, or
other small clamps and wipe off the excess
epoxy before it cures. Allow the epoxy to cure
before removing the clamps.

TAIL FEATHERS
❏ 7.Use the same way as you did on aileron to glue
the rudder and elevator on the tails. Using a
hobby knife, carefully cut out the covering at the
center of horizontal tail slot .The vertical tail will
later be inserted into this slot. Install the tail on
the fuselage. Use a felt tip pen or marker to
draw lines along the fuselage sides as well as
the bottom side of horizontal tail.
❏ 8.Remove the tails from the fuselage and use a
hobby knife to carefully score the covering
material where marked.Make the score approx-
imately 1/16" (1.5mm) inside the lines you drew.
It is very important that you do not press hard
enough to cut into the wood itself or it may fail
in flight. Just score the covering and it will peel
away nicely.
❏ 4.Locate the plastic wing protector plate and light-
ly sand the edges on one side of the plate by
80-grit sandpaper. Center the plate across the
wing joint and flush with the trailing edge then
glue with thick CA.
❏ 5.To hinge the ailerons, remove the clear tape that
holds one of the ailerons in place. Pull the
aileron off the wing, revealing three hinges.
Position the hinge in the center by a ball pin or
T pin.
❏ 6.Attach the aileron to the trailing edge, remove all
pins then drop thin CA to the hinges at both
sides.
6
TAIL FEATHERS

LANDING GEAR
❏ 11.Locate the main landing gear and the three
retainers. Place the landing gear and retainer
on the fuselage bottom as shown.Make marks
on the retainer holes. ( About 5” away from the
nose).
❏ 12.Drill 1/16"(1.5mm) holes on the marks you
made.
❏ 13.Screw the landing gear with the furnished six
3x12 wood screws. Insert the brass tube to the
wheel first then secure the collar with 2.6x5mm
set screw.Make sure the wheels rotates freely.
❏ 9.Apply 5-Minute Epoxy or thick CA onto the hor-
izontal tail and vertical tail along the area where
the covering were removed. Attach the horizon-
tal tail and vertical tail onto the fuselage.Note, it
is important to ensure that the horizontal tail is
level in regards to the fuselage and the vertical
tail is perpendicular to the horizontal tail as
shown. Wipe off any excess epoxy and secure
by masking tape. Allow the epoxy to cure com-
pletely.
❏ 10.Trail fit the tail assembly to the fuselage.
Remove the covering at the contact area then
apply enough 5-Minute Epoxy to the contact
area inside the fuselage and do not move it
until it cured.
7
FUSELAGE
90˚

does, simply cut a small portion of the fuel tub-
ing until the clunk no longer reaches the rear
of the tank.
❏ 16.Cut two 5” (12cm) long of standard size sili-
cone fuel tubing (not furnished) and slip one
end onto the nipple extending out of the cap
and the other onto the top vent of the fuel tank.
Slide the fuel tank (cap end first) into the fuse-
lage from the wing saddle area, threading the
fuel lines through the oblong hole in the fire-
wall. The tank should fit tightly in the forward
formers.
ENGINE
❏ 17.Position the engine on the engine mount
beams so the distance from the prop hub to
the firewall is exactly 3 1/2"( 89mm). Using a
pencil or felt tipped pen, mark the engine
mounting plate where the four holes are to be
drilled. Note:Mark the mounting plate through
the engine mounting flanges. Remove the
engine and drill a 1/8"(3mm) hole through the
beam at each of the four marks.
❏ 14.Locate the four pre-drilled wing dowel holes,
two on either side of the fuselage. Using a
sharp hobby knife, carefully cut the covering
away from each of the holes Insert one of the
wooden dowels into each of the wing dowel
holes. Ensure that an equal amount of dowel
extends from each side of the fuselage. You
might apply a thin coat of epoxy to the wing
dowels to prevent the dowels from becoming
fuel-soaked during flight.
FUEL TANK
❏ 15.Locate the fuel tank and the fuel tank acces-
sories. Assemble the fuel tank by first cutting
the silicone tube to 2"(53mm) in length. Press
the straight plastic nipple (the 90-degree nip-
ple is not used in this plane) into the rubber
stopper until the molded-in ring is against the
stopper. Rubbing alcohol applied to the nipple
will make it slip into the stopper easier. Now
slip the silicone tubing onto the nipple and
insert the metal clunk into the other end of the
tubing. Insert this assembly into the tank
(clunk first) and securely tighten the threaded
cap on to hold everything together. Note: It is
important to ensure that the fuel tank clunk
does not touch the rear of the fuel tank. If it
8
INSTALL THE ENGINE

❏ 20.Locate the plastic pushrod tube through the
pre-drilled hole in the firewall of the fuselage
until approximately 1/2"(1.5mm) of the tube
protrudes from the firewall. Secure the tube
with 5-Minute Epoxy. Locate a Z bent throttle
pushrod, Slide the wire, straight end first, into
the pushrod tube. Insert the Z bent into the
hole on the throttle lever of your engine. Note:
It may be easier to temporarily remove the
throttle lever from the engine to insert the Z
bent end.
CONTROL HORNS
❏ 21.Locate the linkage rods include straight thread-
ed end, Z bent threaded end , nylon inner rod.
Thread the nylon rod onto the straight thread
end first as shown. At least 3/8"(9mm) in
length.
❏ 18.Using a Philips screwdriver, firmly secure the
engine by four 3x14mm machine screw, M3
spring washers, M3 washer and M3 nuts.
Install the muffler as per the instructions
included with the engine. Connect the vent
tube from the fuel tank to the nipple, or pres-
sure fitting, on the muffler. The remaining fuel
tube should be attached to the carburetor inlet
nipple.
❏ 19.Remove the propeller nut and prop washer
from the engine. Install the spinner back plate
on the crankshaft, followed by the propeller,
the prop nut and finally the spinner nose cone.
Securely attach the spinner nose cone to the
spinner back plate using the two screws pro-
vided in the hardware bag and a Philips
screwdriver.
9
CONTROL HORNS

❏ 24.Attach the control horn using the hardware pro-
vided ( 2x22mm screws, back plate, control
horn base and nylon horn) and fasten in place
using a Philips screwdriver. Make sure the
back plate and control horn base are both in
line at two sides on the elevator. Thread the
nylon horn on to the screw then snap the cle-
vis onto the horn.
SERVO INSTALLATION
❏ 25.Thread the Z bent threaded end to the nylon
inner rods as shown. Before you thread, it
might need to cut the nylon rod as it is too
long. Note the servo orientation in the next
step. Refer to the photo, make sure you thread
the Z bent threaded end to the nylon rod for
3/8"(9mm) in length and the Z bent end is
about at the position of servo horn where is
going to link.
❏ 22.Insert the pushrod to the holes on former, the
lower one is elevator pushrod and the other is
rudder pushrod. Attach the plastic clevises at
least 1/4"( 6mm) in length.
❏ 23.Turn the fuselage over and place one of the
control horns on the bottom of the elevator.
Hold the control horn against the bottom of
the elevator so it is approximately 1/8" (3mm)
behind the hinge line and in line with the
pushrod exit hole. Using a felt tipped pen or a
pencil mark the mounting hole positions.
Remove the control horn and drill two 5/64"
(2mm) holes through the elevator as shown.
10
CONTROL HORNS