THUNDER TIGER MD530 Installation guide

MEMO
JK6014
Specifications:
Fuselage Length (lessrotor): 49"(1245mm)
Fueslage Width (lessrotor): 18.75"(475mm)
Full EquippedWeight: 7.7lbs (3500g)
Hughes 530MD ScaleFiberglass Fuselage(TTR3837)
This kitis guaranteedto befree fromdefects in material andworkmanship atthe dateof purchase.
It does not cover any damage caused by use or modification. The warranty does not extend
beyond theproduct itself and islimited onlyto theoriginal costof the kit. Bythe act of buildingthis
user-assembled kit, the user accepts all resulting in liability for damage caused by the final
product. If the buyer is not prepared to accept this liability, it can be returned new and unused to
the placeof purchasefor arefund.
Warranty
Notice: Adult SupervisionRequired
This isnot atoy. Assemblyand flyingof thisproduct requiresadult supervision.
Read through this book completely and become familiar with the assembly and flight of this MD-
530. Inspectall partsfor completenessand damage. Browse www.thundertiger.comfor customer
service ifyou encounterany problems.
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16
Assembly Manual

INTRODUCTION
PRE-ASSEMBLY NOTES
Congratulations on thepurchase of ourfinest scale helifuselage to date. This famousHughes MD 530(Military Defender),
used as an antitank, multi-mission helicopter under extreme conditions. The venerable MD 530 has been replicated to
exhibits this attackhelicopters' sleek details.The light fuselage comes factory pre-painted with all necessary hardware. It
is very easyto assemble and only takes youfew hours of enjoyable installation toput this scalebody on your helicopter.
This replica MDis just likea real thing,hovering this MDthat will definitelymake you standout on theflying field.
Before beginning theassembly read the instructions thoroughly togive an understanding of the sequenceof steps anda
general awareness ofthe recommended assemblyprocedures.
By following these instructions carefully and referring to thecorresponding pictures, the assembly of your model will be
both enjoyable and rewarding. The result will be a well built, easy to assemblescale model, which you will be proud to
display.
This MD-530 is designed for intermediate to advanced pilots, and this manual assumes a basic knowledge of R/C model
construction.
PRE-ASSEMBLY NOTES
1. Before youstart to assemblethis fuselage onyour helicopter,we suggest youto first finetune your helicopterin the air.
2. Double-check allscrews, then secureand Loctite allthe loose screws.
3. Theinstruction manual iswritten for Raptor 50, ifuser should chooseto install iton other brandedhelicopters, we would
suggest youto studythe manualthoroughly andsee howit installedon aRaptor 50.
Before you begin, check the entire contents of your kit against the parts list and photos to make sure that no parts are
missing or damaged. This willalso help youto become familiarwith each componentof your model. If you findthat any of
the parts areeither missing ordamaged, please contactyour local Thunder Tigerauthorized distributors forreplacements.
Neither your dealernor ThunderTiger authorizeddistributor can acceptkits for returnif construction hasbegun.
Trial fiteach part beforegluing it inplace. Make sureyou are usingthe correctpart and thatit fitswell before assembling.
BEFORE YOUR ASSEMBLY
Adhesives:
Instant setting Cyanoacrylateadhesive (thin CA)
Slow setting Cyanoacrylateadhesive (thick CA)
10 MinuteEpoxy (fast)20~30 Minute Epoxy(slow)
RECOMMENDED TOOLS& MATERIALS
Tools:
Model Knife,1/2" MASKTape, Small& MediumScrew-
drivers, Scissors,Long nosePliers &Diagonal Cutting
Pliers, Drilland DrillBits (1/16",5/64"), 150Grid Sand
Paper,Fine FeltTipPen &Soft LeadPencil, Reamer
R/C System:
6 Channel Heliradio req'd
GYRO systemreq'd
Helicopter:
Raptor 50TitanSuggested
You will need two types of adhesives for the MD-530 -
Epoxy and Instant (cyanoacrylate) adhesives. We
recommend that you purchase both 5-minute and 30-
minute epoxyto cut down onassembly time, but youcan
get by withonly 30-minute epoxyif time isnot important.
You will also need a small bottle of both "Thick" and
"Thin" instantCA adhesive.
Model assembly can be much easier if the proper tools
are used. Therefore, we have included in our checklist
to the left, a complete listingof all the tools we usedto
assemble our prototype models. As you will notice,
many household tools can be utilized during
construction.
ITEMS YOUMAY NEED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction....................................................................................................................................................2
Recommended Tools & Materials......................................................................................................................3
Item You May Need..........................................................................................................................................3
Parts Drawings.............................................................................................................................................4-5
Parts Check List..............................................................................................................................................6
Assembly...................................................................................................................................................7-13
TestFlight.....................................................................................................................................................14
MEMO..........................................................................................................................................................16
TTR4853 - Raptor50 Titan
TTR1115 - PrecisionFueler Valve
32
TTR3803 -Remote GlowAdapter

PARTS CHECK LIST
ASSEMBLY
1. Note the orientationof therocket launcherwing and
trail fit inthe place onfuselage. Ascertainthe two wings
are at same dihedral angle, adjust it until you obtain a
satisfactory result, then use pencil tomake markson
the wing atboth sides asguidelines.
2. Remove the wingto sandaway thepaint atthe glue
area with150grid sandpaper toenhance theadhesion.
Remove the paintin the wingmount by scratchingwith
a hobbyknife insidethe well.
3. Epoxy two wings in the place, either wipe off the
excess epoxy or use masking tape to tape the
guideline tokeep the wing rootclean after the masking
tape removal. Make sure the two wings are at same
dihedral angles. If you see from the top the wings
should bein line with eachother orthe rocket launcher
will notbe straight forward.
4. Next drill two 5/64" (2mm) holes through the wing
mount to the wing from the inside of the fuselage then
secure the wing firmly with two3x15mm WoodScrews
at eachside.
5. Locate the molded marks for landing strut, screw
holes andengine cooling openings atthe bottom of the
fuselage. Note these marks are only for reference of
Raptors, shall you install it on other branded
helicopters then you will have to find out the correct
opening position for landing strut before you drill or
trim thefuselage.
Kit Contents
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Fuselage
Fuselage(1)
Plastic Tube(1)
Tall BoomFoam Retainer(S,1)
Silicon Grommet(3)
Exhaust(1)
Decoration(1)
Silicon StrutFairing(4)
Windshield
Left FrontWindow(1)
Right FrontWindow(1)
Left RearWindow(1)
Right RearWindow(1)
Front Windshield(1)
Tail
Horizontal Tail(1)
Tip Fin(2)
Tail Skid(1)
VerticalFin(1)
Body Retainer
Wire Strike(1,S)
Wire Strike(1,L)
Handlebar(2)
Post(2,S)
Post(1,L)
Rocket Launcher
Wing(L,1)
Wing(R,1)
Rocket LauncherRetainer(2)
Rocket Launcher(2)
Rocket LauncherVent(4)
Landing Skid
Brace(2)
Al.Strut(4)
Skid Joiner(L/2)
Skid Joiner(R/2)
Step Bar(2)
Skid Pipe(2)
Skid PipeEnd Cap(4)
Step BarEnd Cap(2)
Rear Frame
Rear Frame(L/1)
Rear Frame(R/1)
Washer(2)
Screw
M2 Nut(20)
M2 Washer(4)
M3 Washer(4)
M3 Locknut(2)
2X5mm Screw(20)
2X5mm WoodScrew(44)
2X8mm WoodScrew(12)
3X15mm WoodScrew(4)
3X18mm WoodScrew(7)
3X3mm SetScrew(4)
2.6X10mm Self-Tapping Screw(4)
3X18 mmSelf-Tapping Screw(4)
2.6X14mm SocketScrew(8)
3X20mm SocketScrew(6)
3X40mm SocketScrew(2)
3X10mm WasherSelf-Tapping Screw(5)

Note: It is recommended to enlarge the strut hole for
about 2~3mm wider as the Silicon Fairing will be
installed in the hole. Do notglue the Silicon Fairing at
this step. It is very importantto make sure that silicon
fairing is loosenedin the holeinstead of tight.
6. Put the scale fuselage aside for a moment and get
your heli prepared.For Raptor owners, please remove
the Landing Skid, Muffler, Tail Fins, Boom Supports
and Tail Rotor Assembly. Locate the Extended Rear
Frames, which are specially designed for this MD
fuselage. Secure the Extended Rear Frame in place
with the screws and washers. (3x18mm self tapping
screw forthe top; 3x 10mmwasher self-tappingscrew
and big flatwasher for thebottom).
7. Assemble the Landing Skid as shown. Temporarily
install the Brace under the side frame. Adjust the
Landing Skid as shown and make sure it sits on the
table firmly. Secure the Joiner & Skid Pipe with the
furnished 3x3mm Set Screws. Do not over-tighten the
setscrews; just make surethe skid pipe willnot rotate.
Then secure the Joiner and the Aluminum Strut with
2.6x10mm Self-Tapping Screws. Next press the end
cap onskid pipe.
8. Remove the landing skid assembly from Heli.
Remove the brace from the aluminum strut. Do not
remove the strut and skid pipe as they are already
adjusted and secured. Place the brace in place and
install thestrut and skid pipe onto thebrace. You may
apply Vaseline on Silicon Fairing to increase the
lubrication foreasier installation.
9. Secure the Aluminum Strut and Brace with
2.6x14mm Socket Screws. Hint: Install the left
Aluminum Strut Assembly and Brace first. Pull the
brace out and secure the socket screws then push it
back and pull the right side out then install the right
aluminum strutassembly.
10. Installthe lower post whichis under the brace,drill
8mm holeand install the SiliconGrommet. Securethe
post inplace with3x10 washerself-tapping screwfrom
bottom and3x18mm self- tapping screwfrom top.
11.Drill twoholes forhandlebar oneis 5/64"(2mm) and
the other is 1/16" (1.5mm). Secure the handlebarin
place with2x5mm wood screw.
12. If you use Raptor 50Titan Version then it does not
need totrim anything but ifyou use on Raptor50 V2 or
old versionthen youmight need to trim off thefuselage
tail for about Remove the tail rotor
assembly,landing braceand bodyretainer from Raptor
then place the Raptor in the fuselage. Next install the
tail rotor assembly in place and check if holes on the
landing brace matches the side frame landing skid-
mounting holes. If it cannot reach the holes then trim
the tailuntil it is able to doso.
7/8" (20mm).
13. Remove the tail rotor assembly and proceed to
extract the Raptor from fuselage. Replace theold post
with the new plasticpost mount with 3x18 self-tapping
screw. Place the Raptor into the fuselage again, the
post shouldbe locatednear amolded doton fuselage.
14. Drill the hole on themolded dot. Next enlargethe
hole at about 8mm in diameter. Insertthe Silicon
Grommet onthe hole.The smallerside faces outside.
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15. Unthreadthe ball link andinstall thesponge on the
tail boom sectionwhere the plastictube for the sponge
insertion. CAthe tube in thesponge but be carefulnot
to apply anyglue inside theplastic tube andmake sure
the pushrodcan move freely.
Thread theball link back to pushrod at the original
position.
Glue thesponge on tail boom but make sure the sponge
will tight-fitin the fuselage.
If Raptor50 Titan isused thenthe position of sponge is
about 1-1/2" (40mm) tothe end ofboom.
If Raptor50 V2 is used then the position of sponge is
about 1-1/8"(28mm) to the end ofboom.
16. Insert the tail boom intothe fuselage again and sit
on the brace, make sure the sponge is tightly fitin the
tail andsecure thetail boomfirmly. Check thepushrod
movement is freely without binding and adjust it if
necessary. Install the tail rotor assembly in place
firmly and snapon the balllink.
Note: donot glue sponge in the fuselagein caseyou
had toremove the heli from fuselage.
17. Secure the helicopter onto thelanding brace with
four 3x20mm Socket Screws. Starfrom therear brace
then the front.
18. Secure the fuselage with 3x10mm washer self-
tapping screwas shown.
19. Securethe VerticalFin inplace with two 3x40 Socket
Screws, two M3 Washers and two M3Locknuts.
20. Trialfit the HorizontalTail onto thevertical fin, note
that flatsurface should be facing up and the other side
with the air foil facing down. It might benecessary to
file/sand the contact area on the vertical fin so that
they make perfectcontact. Apply epoxy atthe contact
area andmake sure it isperpendicular aftersecuring it
with two 3x18mmWood Screws and two M3 Washers.
Secure two vertical Tip Fins onto horizontal tail with
four 2x8mmWood Screwsand M2washer.
21. You will have to install the remote glow plug
adaptor (TTR3803).for easy glow ignition. Alsoinstall
a diverter and drill an exit hole at the bottom of the
fuselage or you may extend the diverter to fuselage
exhaust vent to obtain amore scale-like look.
22. Install the wire strike onthe frontwindshield. The
big one is at the bottom and small one ison thetop.
Use 2x5mmwood screws to secure the strike in place.
23. Install the front windshield with twenty 2x5mm
screws and M2 nuts. Carefully make drill marksand
drill 5/64"(2mm) holes then secure the front windshield
in place. Apply Loctite foreach screw andnut.
24. Trail fit the windows and you may need to trim the
fuselage to get a better fit. Next makedrill marks and
drill 1/16"(1.5mm) holes then secure the front side
window with eight 2x5mm wood screws. After you
done the installation of the window then peelaway the
protecting film.
Youmay skip the installationof rear side windowsas it
is easierfor youin case of tuningengine or adjustment
and italso gets better cooling.
1110
Now youcan CA the SiliconLanding Fairing in place.

25. Locatethe vacuumformed decoration andplace it at
the centerline of thetail section.Drill two 1/16" (1.5mm)
mounting holes and secure it with two 2x5mm Wood
Screws.
26. Locatethe RocketLauncher Retainerand centerit
on the Launcher. Make marks and drill1/16" (1.5mm)
holes thensecure it with four 2x8mm WoodScrews. Do
the sameprocedure on the other launcher butnote the
orientation of the other retainer. Glue the ventson the
launcher.
27. Use the retainer hole as the guide to make a drill
mark on the wing. Drill 5/64"(2mm) holes. Next apply
epoxy at the contact area and secure the retainer on
the wing withtwo 3x18mm Wood Screws. Dothe same
procedure on the other launcher and make sure two
launchers are paralleland aim tofront.
28. Secure the exhaust vent in the place with four 2x5mm
wood screws as shown.
29. Secure step bar on thestrut with3x20mm socket
screw. Apply Loctite and do not over tightened the
screw. Next press on the step bar end cap in place.
30. Drill 5/64" (2mm)hole thenapply epoxyor thickCA
next thread thetail skid atthe bottom ofvertical fin.
TestFlight
1. When hoveringyou MD, try tokeep rotor speedat approximately 1600~1700RPM.
2. Check thehelicopter and fuselageto see ifany screw loosenedafter each flight.
3. It ismight be easyto get noseup in speedflight, please trimthe elevator downwhen switching onthe idle.
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No.4853
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