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Last Updated: January 10, 2008 - 09:28:40 PM |
The HET-RC F-4 Phantom Twin Minifan EDF as it comes from Markos at Warbirds-RC
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Opening the box reveals a well packed and rather large model
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Every that comes with the ARF is shown
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The F-4 Phantom assembly
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You should use an iron to remove any wrinkles in the finish
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The main spar is the first piece to be installed
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Dry fit the spar in place as shown, with the cut out sides pointing to the bottom side of the fuselage(pointing up in pic.) Also check for a slight bow in the spar; if present, install the spar so the outer ends bow toward the front of the fuselage
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Epoxy is applied to center of the spar right up to each notch
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Apply epoxy to the slot sides where the spar will be installed
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Install the spar as shown, noting cutouts in spar and position so the spar is centered and they are flush at each side of the fuselage
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Wiped off any excess epoxy with denatured alcohol and a paper towel
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A square is placed across the joint while the glue is still wet and the spar is pulled up on each side so it is flush to the bottom of the fuselage
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Once the spar is installed correctly, then centered and adjusted flush, allow the epoxy to set
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A strip of covering material supplied in the kit is used to cover the slot. Note that the model was recovered in the pics to a different color, so the colors may not match your kit, but the procedures are the same
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A hobby iron is used to install the strip of covering
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Main Spar assembly is shown completed
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Temporarily slide a wing on the spar
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Apply a piece of tape just in front of the leading edge of the wing
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Install the other wing and apply another piece of tape for it
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Position of tape as shown. Important: For the next steps, make sure your model is flush against the bottom of the table. You will need to hang the nose of the fuselage off the surface as it is lower than the fuselage bottom and can prevent the fuselage from sitting flush on the table
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With the fuselage flush against a hard surface, use a ruler and make a mark on the tape 10mm from the bottom of the table as shown
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Mark the other tape strip in the same manner, 10mm up from the surface
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A ruler is used to help align the wing to the mark. The bottom tip of the wing is at the 10mm position as shown
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When in position, press the wing down to make a dimple into the fuselage side, which marks the wood dowel position on the side of the fuselage
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Remove the wing and open the dowel mark with a 1/8" drill
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Install the wing and check for a good fit and correct wing alignment at the 10mm mark
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Some overhang of the wing trailing edge past the bottom of the fuselage is normal
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Use a marker and trace the wing root pattern on to the fuselage
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Remove the wing to reveal the wing root pattern
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Install the other wing and align it, then press down to mark the dowel position
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Remove the wing and drill the hole for the wing dowel pin
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Install the wing and check the alignment
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Trace the second wing root pattern on the fuselage
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Removing the wing shows the root pattern that was traced
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Cut the covering about 3/32" inside the drawn pattern for the wing
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Remove the material as shown
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Wing root covering removed
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Cut the second wing root area, being careful not to cut into the wood below
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Removed the excess covering
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Second wing root is exposed for gluing
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Use a small paper towel and denatured alcohol to remove the marker lines from the fuselage and wings
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Use an iron to seal the cut area to the fuselage on both sides
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Masking tape is applied 1/16" away from the inside root of both wings
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Masking is applied on both sides, top and bottom. This will aid in cleanup later on
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Mix up some 15-30 min epoxy and apply epoxy liberally to the wing slot for the main spar
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Apply epoxy to the entire wing root
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Epoxy is then applied to the main spar on all sides
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A thin coat of epoxy is applied to the fuselage wing root area
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Install the wing on the fuselage
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Clean up any excess epoxy with a paper towel and denatured alcohol
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Wing glued in place and waiting for epoxy to set
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A measurement is taken before the epoxy sets to insure the leading edge of the wing is 10mm from the bottom of the fuselage.
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Mix up some more 15-30 min epoxy and apply epoxy liberally to the wing slot for the second wing's main spar
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Apply epoxy to the root of the second wing
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Wing root with epoxy ready to assemble
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Next, apply a thick ammount of epoxy to the main spar
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Epoxy is also applied to the fuselage wing root area
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Install the second wing flush on the fuselage
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Clean any extra resin with an alcohol soaked towel
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Check alignment for the second wing with a leading edge of 10mm from the bottom of the fuselage
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Second wing installation completed. Allow some time for the epoxy to set
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Tape is applied to both surfaces 1/16" from the joint. This will make cleanup easier later
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Epoxy is applied at the joint
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A fillet is made at the joint, removing the excess epoxy
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The tape is removed and and additional cleanup is done with alcohol before the epoxy sets
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Epoxy is applied to the other bottom joint
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Once again, a fillet is made at the joint
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Tape is removed before epoxy sets
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The top is done similar to the bottom. Apply epoxy and make a small fillet at the joint
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Clean up any excess with alcohol
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Fillet shown completed and dried
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The other wing is done as shown with epoxy being applied at the joint. A small round stick makes a great fillet tool and the excess epoxy cleanly spills over on the tape
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The tape is removed before the glue sets
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The fillet is shown completed
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The root end of a horizontal stab is measured at 9/32"
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Trim off the excess at the measured line
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Stab shown trimmed
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Lightly sand the root so it is square
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The trailing piece is cut with a knife
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Trailing piece shown removed
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The two stabs are taped together, keeping the rear and leading edge even
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The second stab is trimmed using the other stab for reference
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Second stab shown trimmed
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The trailing tab is removed on the second stab as shown
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Remove the tape and lightly sand the root of the second stab
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Seal the trailing edge of each stab with an iron
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The hinges supplied in the kit were of poor quality with fabric missing. New Easy Hinges were substituted
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The center point is marked on each hinge
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Draw a line down the center of each hinge
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Install the hinges to center, opening up the slots with a knife if needed, then install the elevators
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Use a round file to angle the forward slot on the fuselage
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Fit the stab in the fuselage, making sure the forward slot is long enough for the rear to fit
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The rear should pivot and just fit in the slot
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Down throw will be 10mm, so make sure the elevator doesn't bind too early when flexed downward
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Mark the top of the fin for the fuselage location
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Mark the bottom of the fin for the fuselage location
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The stab is removed showing the marks that were made and the material is cut about 1/16" inside of the line
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Remove the material from the root
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Clean up the line drawn with denatured alcohol
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Bottom of the fin showing mark that was made
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Use a ruler to cut the covering 1/16" inside of the line
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Remove the excess covering
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Clean up the drawn line with alcohol
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Use an iron to seal both sides where the material was cut
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Install the stab to check for fit once more
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Use the hinges and install an elevator on the second stab
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File the front of the slot at an angle and continue until the stab fits well
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Draw a line on the top of the stab with a marker
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Another line is drawn on the bottom side of the stab
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The stab is removed and a ruler is used to cut about 1/16" inside the drawn line
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The ecesss covering is removed
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A ruler is used to cut the material on the top of the stab
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Excess material is shown removed
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Marker lines are cleaned up with alcohol
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Seal the covering with an iron, then install the second stab in the fuselage and check for fit
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Tape is applied above the slot to keep the covering clean when gluing the stab in place
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Apply a very thin coat of epoxy to each side of the stab at set aside to let it soak
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Apply epoxy to the top and bottom of the slot and to the two inside formers
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Install the stab into the slot. Note that the stab fits in so it is at a downward angle, which is normal
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Clean up any excess epoxy from the joint, both top and bottom
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Remove the tape before the glue sets
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Prepare the second stab slot with tape
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Apply a thin coat of eopxy to both sides of the stab
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Apply an ample ammount of epoxy to the top and bottom of the slot, as well as the two formers
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Install the second stab
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Remove excess epoxy with alcohol from the joint on both sides
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Remove the tape before the epoxy sets
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Quickly check alignment by placing the bottom of the fuselage on a flat surface and measure one stab as shown
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Check the other stab and make sure it is the same distance from the board. prop up one side before the epoxy sets if necessary so they measure evenly with eachother
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Stab installation completed as shown
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A good quality metal gear servo is used for the elevator and is shown with the servo tray parts supplied in the kit
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Center the servo with a receiver or servo tester
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Trim one end of a servo horn as shown
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Install the horn on the servo, making sure it is centered
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The selected servo is now slightly larger than the opening in the supplied servo tray. You may have to enlarge the opening to fit your make of servo
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The tray is marked evenly on each side to widen the opening just enough for the servo to pass through
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A tool is used to open up the hole. Files and some light sanding are used to finish the work
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The servo should easily fit through the opening as shown
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Epoxy is applied to the slot for the pushrod bracket
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Epoxy is applied to the vertical section of the bracket
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The to pieces are joined until they sit flush with eachother
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Some epoxy is added to create a fillet for strength
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Make sure the two pieces are perpendicular to eachother, then set aside while the glue sets
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Sand the bottom of the assembly flush with a sanding block
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The bottom of the slots are slightly enlarged for the pushrods
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Test a pushrod sleeve to make sure it fits well
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CA is used on the back side to stiffen the plywood
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Position the bracket so it is centered in the rear of the fuselage, just behind the seam in the balsa. Next, draw an outside line on each side to mark the position of the tray
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Lines shown drawn once the bracket is removed
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