VQ Models Piper PA-38 Tomahawk 1900mm ARF Instruction Manual
- June 10, 2024
- VQ Models
Table of Contents
VQ Models Piper PA-38 Tomahawk 1900mm ARF
SPECIFICATIONS
- Wingspan :……………………………….1920mm
- Length:………………………………….. 1320mm
- Electric Motor :………….900Watt – 80A. ESC
- Glow Engine :…………………….91 4T / 60 2T
- Gas Engine : …………………………………17cc
RTF Weight: 4.1 – 4.5Kg (Will vary with Equipment Used).
- Radio:……………………………See next pager
WARNING! This radio-controlled model is NOT a toy. If modified or flown carelessly it could go out of controll and cause serious human injury or property damage. Before flying your airplane, ensure the air field is spacious enough. Always fly it outdoors in safe areas and seek professional advice if you are inexperienced.
REQUIRED FOR OPERATION (Purchase separately)
GLUE (Purchase separately)
TOLLS REQUIRED (Purchase separately)
The pre-covered film on ARF kit may wrinkle due to variations of temperature. Smooth out as explained right.
- Use an iron or heat gun. Start as low setting. Increase the setting if necsessary. If it is too high, you may damage the film
Symbols used throughout this instruction manual, comprise:
SAFETY NOTES BEFORE ASSEMBLING
This model is highly pre-fabricated and can be built in a very short time.
However, the work which you have to carry out is important and must be done
carefully. The model will only be strong and fly well if you complete your
tasks competently – so please work slowly, accurately and check every joints,
maybe apply more glue to be safe.
Read through the manual before you begin, so you will have an overall idea of what to do.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION
Extension cord & Servo
Control horn & Linkages
Main wheel & Dowel
Nose gear installation
- Drill the 2.5mm hole on the firewall where the nylon pushrod guide will go through.
- Insert the nylon pushrod guide and nose gear push rod through the firewall as shown.
- Insert the “Z” bend of the nose gear push rod into the hole of the nose gear arm as shown.
- Insert the nose gear arm onto the nose gear mount.
- Insert the nose gear though the nose gear mount.
Engine mount
The center of the engine axis and the angle of inclination of the firewall have
been designed correctly, should not be modified.
- Attach the engine mount beams onto the fire-wall so the distance between of two engine mount beams is “A”, and B=B’ as show. Secure the engine mount beams onto the fire-wall with litter CA glue Using a pencil or felt tipped pen, mark the fire wall where the four holes are to be drilled.
- Carefully remove the engine mount beams and drill a 6mm hole through the fire-wall at each of the four marks made above.
- Insert the blind-nut onto each of the four holes make above.
- Reposition the engine mount beams on to the fire-wall and secure them with four 4x25mm hex bolts.
Engine
Position the engine to the engine mounts so the distance from the prop hub to
the fire-wall is 133mm (). Mark the engine mounting plate where the four
holes are to be drilled.
Note: This distance () depends on the type of engine you use. Remove the
engine and drill a 3mm holes through the beam at each of the four marks made
above. Marking sure that you drill the hole perpendicular to the beam of the
engine mount.
Reposition the engine on the engine mount beams, aligning it with the holes.
Secure the engine to the engine mount using four 3x25mm hex bolts.
Note: Apply Silicon sealer to each of the 3x25mm bolt and nut.
Electric motor mount
- Using a aluminum motor mounting plate as a template, mark the plywood motor mounting plate where the four holes are to be drilled.
- Remove the aluminum motor mounting plate and drill a 3mm hole through the plywood at each of the four marks marked .
Elevator servo mount
- Position the motor mount to so the distance from the prop hub to the fire-wall is 133mm .
Horizontal stabilizer
- When you are satisfied with the alignment, use a pencil to trace around the right and left of the stabilizer where it meets the vertical stabilizer.
Horizontal stabilizer continued
- Remove the horizontal stabilizer from the fuselage. Using the sharp hobby knife, carefully cut away the covering inside the lines which were marked above.
- Be cautious not to cut into the wood, this will weaken the structure.
- Use a small glue faucet, Apply the thin CA glue on the horizontal stabilizer where it contacts the vertical stabilizer (both the top and bottom sides).
- Securely glue together. If coming off during fly, you lose control of your air plane.
- Remove the horizontal stabilizer from the fuselage. Using the sharp hobby knife, carefully cut away the covering inside the lines which were marked above.
- Be cautious not to cut into the wood, this will weaken the structure.
- Use a small glue faucet, Apply the thin CA glue on the horizontal stabilizer where it contacts the vertical stabilzer (both the top and bottom sides).
- Securely glue together. If coming off during fly, you lose control of your air plane.
Rudder
Attach the stabilizer to the fuselage
Attach the stabilizer to the fuselage continued
- Remove the stabilizer from the fuselage. Using the sharp hobby knife, carefully cut away the covering inside the lines which were marked above.
- Be cautious not to cut into the wood, this will weaken the structure.
- Use a small glue faucet, Apply the thin CA glue on the vertical stabilizer where it contacts the fuselage (both the top and bottom sides).
- Securely glue them together. If coming off during fly, you lose control of your airplane.
Elevator linkage
Rudder – Nose gear – Throttle linkages linkage
Joining the wing
Joining the wing
- After confirming the direction . Insert this assembly, clunk end first, into the fuel tank and tighten and screw the fuel tank-cap on firmly.
- Ensure that the fuel tank clunk does not touch the rear of the fuel tank.
- Checking for leaks – block the vents and blow into the feed, if in doubt submersing the tank in a blow of water will show up any problems.
Cowling – Sticker
IMPORTANT: Please do not clean your model with strong solvent or pure alcohol, only use kerosene to keep the colour of your model not fade.
Balance – Control surface
THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IS LOCATED 62mm BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WING,
AT THE FUSELAGE. BALANCE A PLANE UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE FUEL TANK EMPTY.
- Mount the wing to the fuselage. Using a couple of pieces of masking tape, place them on the top side of the wing (62mm) back from the leading edge, at the fuselage sides.
- Lift the airplane. Place your fingers on the masking tape and carefully lift the plane.
- If the nose of the plane falls, the plane is heavy nose. To correct this, move the battery pack further back in the fuselage. If the tail of plane falls, the plane is tail heavy. To correct this, move the battery forward or if this is not possible, stick weight onto the firewall. When balanced correctly, the airplane should level or slightly nose down when you lift it up with your fingers.
LATERAL BALANCE:
After you have balanced a plane on the CG, you should laterally balance it. Doing this will help the airplane track straighter.
- Turn the airplane upside down. Attach one loop of heavy string to the engine crankshaft and one to the tail wheel wire. With the wing level, carefully lift the airplane by the string. This may require two people to make easier.
- If one side of the wing fall, that side is heavier than the opposite. Add small amounts of lead weight to the bottom side of the lighter wing half’s wing tip. Follow this procedure until the wing stays level when you lift the airplane. DO NOT try to fly an out-of-balance model !
CONTROL SURFACE
IMPORTANT: Flying your model at these throws will provide you with the greatest chance for successful first flights. If, after you have become accustomed to the way the PA-38 flies, you would like to change the throws to suit your taste that is fine. However, too much control throw could make the model difficult to control, so remember, “more is not always better”.
LOW RATE
- Aileron : 10mm up / down
- Elevator : 12mm up / down
- Rudder : 20mm right / left
- Flap : 20mm down
HIGH RATE
- Aileron: 15mm up / down
- Elevator: 16mm up / down
- Rudder: 25mm right / left
- Flap: 30mm down