Vladimir's Models ELF User manual

Elf Manual 2e 06/01/2012

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 2
ELF - a low weight mosquito class 1m span discus launched glider.
The ELF allows the pilot to soar in small places as never before.
ELF’s high tech construction makes the model stronger and lighter.
High prefabrication allows the model to be assembled in one evening.
The ELF gives a lot of fun in a small package!
Ready to fly weight of
only grams!
(Dependent upon R/C, battery and construction.)
HyperFlight Notes
If you don’t want to use the SmartLipo shown in this
manual we have sourced some alternative batteries.
Don’t worry about a switch, just plug in the battery
when flying.
If using 2.4GHz RC use the Elf 2S 180 LiPo battery
and SD100 servos. No voltage regulator is required
because all modern receivers and these servos can
work fine on this voltage (8.4V). This will give over
2.5hrs RC duration on one charge.
If using 35MHz RC use the Losi 150 NiMH battery,
and any suitable servos, though we would highly
recommend the SD100 or the Nuke 3 - the only
servos with the good centring required by this high
performance model. This will give about 2hrs duration.

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 3
1) Wing
2) Boom, pod, pushrods, V mount
3) Sheath nosecone
4) Tailplane (hoz stab)
5) Fin & rudder
6) Wing attachment bolts (front-long, rear-short)
7) Heat shrink tubing
8) Rudder horn
9) V mount
10) Winglets (2)
11) Z shaped wire servo connectors (2)
1 2
3
4
5
7
Battery: SmartLipo 240, Elf 180 LiPo, Losi 150 NiMH
Servos: Diamond D47, Ripmax SD100, Logic RC LSX110, MKS Nuke 3
Receiver: Spektrum AR6250, AR6255*, AR6100e, Futaba R6004FF*, Orange DSM2 compatible,
Jeti Duplex R4 & R5, Multiplex Mlink RX-6 Light & RX-5 Light*, Schulze Alpha-535 *case removed
Medium & thick cyanoacrylate glue (CA) -not foam safe
Craft knife
Pen
Ruler
Masking tape
150 sandpaper
Pliers
Desire 
11 9 10 8
6

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 4
Cut and sand the throwing winglet so it is
comfortable for you.
1 2
Identify the winglet tip –the left wingtip if
you are right handed, or vice versa.
Fill the wing tip slot with thick CA.
Quickly slide in the winglet and fill any
gaps with more thick CA.
3 4
Fill in the slot on the other wing with thick
CA. Optionally add a little weight to
balance. Or fit the other winglet so
everyone can enjoy flying your Elf!

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 5
1
Mark 50mm from the bottom of the rudder.
Cut a groove for the horn. If using Nuke 3
servos drill horn nearer hinge to inc throw.
2
Fit the rudder horn in place and glue. Then
glue the rudder into the slot in the boom.
3
Cut a groove in the center of the stabilizer
just behind the spar. Do not cut into the
carbon!
4
Remove the V-mount top from the base.
Glue the top to the stabilizer. Do not refit
the wire axle.
front

Check the stab can move to max angle
without fouling.
ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 6
5 6
Fit long guides inside the pod and shim
them with scrap balsa or foam.
Attach the pushrod to the rudder horn.
Disregard the photo, use a wire-in-tube
pushrod fitting for the rudder.
7 8
Attach the stab pushrod. The pushrod
outer guides will keep it in place.

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 7
1 2
Remove the servo mounting lugs and wrap
the servos with masking tape. Optionally
wrap them with Kevlar thread to increase
case rigidity.
Do this with all connectors.
Note the polarity!
3 4
Now thread the wires through all the holes
in the pylon. Put the plugs back. Ensure
the polarity is as on fig 3! Check servos
before gluing in place.
Remove the wires from the plug by gently
teasing each leg and pulling out the wire.

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 8
5
Place RC as above. Centre the output arms & glue servos in place. Trim the pushrods to length, thread on 2cm
heat shrink tubing. Test fit and then CA the Z bend wires to the pushrods. Slip on the heatshrink tubing and
heat to secure joint. Add more CA. Remove servo arms and thread onto Z bends. Tape the battery in place.
Make holes for the receiver antennas
6 7
If using a SmartLipo cut a hole in the
sheath for the on/off switch, otherwise
remove the sheath to connect the battery
ReceiverBattery
Low battery buzzer Rudder & stab servos
On/off switch &charging connector

ELF –Assembly Guide © Vladimir’s Models & HyperFlight 9
1 2
Program the transmitter and
fly!
Set the centre of gravity initially to 75mm from
the front edge of the wing at the root. Add lead
weight as required.Advanced fliers move the
CG back after the test flights if this suits your
flying style.
Program as much rudder throw as possible, at
least 20mm each side.
Set horizontal stabiliser (tail plane) to be
parallel to the boom. Program 9mm of up
elevator (measured at the root trailing edge),
and 9mm of down elevator. Optionally set up a
rate switch to reduce throws for launch.
Start with gentle side arm launches. When trimmed
try 360º launches. Let the model balance itself in the
wind, and make a 360º turn, releasing into the wind.
Do not cantilever the wingtip to hold it against the
wind –this will crack the tip.
Fly safely, do not launch near others.

Addendum for Nuke 3 servo installation
The short metal output arm on this servo does not allow
enough rudder movement. Either drill a new hole in the
rudder horn, closer to the rudder, or preferably extend the
servo arm to get an effective arm length of about 8.5mm.
This can best be accomplished by squishing an 8mm
piece of 3/32” (2.4mm) aluminium tube, and fixing this to
the short arm with a little CA and pressure. Then flatten
the end and drill a 1mm hole.
UK Dealer: HyperFlight
www.hyperflight.co.uk
e-mail: [e-mail]