DIY Network

RC Trainer Plane, Assembly Pt. 2 From "Radio Control Hobbies" episode RCH-101

advertisement

Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H

With the Superstar (TM) trainer plane's main body parts -- the fuselage, wings and landing gear -- pieced together, the next phase of the assembly will involve completion of the body and installation of the radio control components.


The plane's radio receiver and servo motors -- the electronic parts that allow you to control the plane by means of a coded message sent from a radio transmitter -- come preinstalled in the fuselage (figure A). Consequently, you won't need to worry about installing intricate electronics. The servos include the throttle servo, rudder servo and elevator servo. The aileron servo is mounted inside the wing.


You will need to install some control rods from servos to their corresponding parts. First, however, it's necessary to finish the body assembly.



Attach the Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator Assembly

• The stabilizer simply slides into place at the rear of the fuselage (figure B). It will be held secure by two rods that extend from the vertical fin, down through the stabilizer and the rear of the fuselage. As you slide the stabilizer into place, make certain that the predrilled holes align properly.

  Tip: Use a thin, straight makeshift rod (a toothpick or something similar will do) to insert down through the holes once the components are in place to make certain that the holes are all aligned.

• Align the dowels in the bottom of the vertical fin with the predrilled holes, and slide the dowels into place to attach the vertical fin and rudder assembly to the top of the fuselage (figure C). The manner in which the rods insert through the components ensures that the fin and stabilizer are properly aligned with the fuselage and with each other.

• Once the parts are aligned and the threaded rods are in place, secure the bottom of the dowels below the fuselage using the provided flat washers, lock washers and nuts. Tighten the nuts with a nut driver of the appropriate size. (For our model, a 7/32" driver was required.) Tighten the nuts firmly, just enough to flatten the lock washers, but be careful not to overtighten and damage the body.

• The wings will be held in place on the fuselage with rubber bands that attach to two capped wooden dowels (figure D).

• Insert the dowels into the predrilled holes in the fuselage (figure E). The longer of the two dowels is positioned in the holes toward the front of the plane.

• The dowel caps are tightened in place with screws (figure F) and serve to hold the dowels securely in the fuselage.

• The control rods (figure G) lead from the servos to the corresponding parts that they control, such as the rudder and elevator.

• Connect the clip -- or clevis-- at the end of the rudder-control rod to the flat plastic piece on the rudder, and snap it into place. Position the clevis according to the instructions. (In our case, it's connected to the third hole from the outside of the plastic piece.) Once snapped into place (figure H), the clevis is held closed by a small ring called a clevis keeper.

• Follow the same procedure for the elevator-control rod. Again, push the clevis keeper over the connection to fasten it securely.

RESOURCES :
Superstar (TM) by Hobbico
Trainer model radio-controlled airplane.
Great Planes Model Distributors
Website: www.greatplanes.com

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
Website: www.modelaircraft.org

Hobbico

Manufacturer of radio controlled model planes.
Web site: www.hobbico.com

Distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors


Great Planes Model Distributors
Website: www.greatplanes.com

HobbyTown USA

HobbyTown USA (Registered Trademark) is a Nebraska corporation formed in 1985 by Merlin Hayes and Thomas Walla. HobbyTown began in 1980 with the purchase of a local business in Lincoln, Nebraska. The corporation was established for the sole purpose of sharing their dream with other people who wanted to own their own hobby store.

Today, HobbyTown USA is a nationally registered franchise, and the company is widely regarded as a leader in the retail hobby industry.

With the company motto of "Building Your Dream" and with more than 150 stores open, it is the largest retail hobby franchise in the world and is ranked in the top 2% of all franchises worldwide. More importantly, there are now hundreds of owners realizing their dream of being their own boss, and having fun while they do it.

For store location information, please click here.

HobbyTownUSA
Lincoln, NE 68516
Phone: 402-434-5050
Email: info@hobbytown.com
Website: www.hobbytown.com