| old_guy_rc_build_instructions.pdf |
| wing_angle_meter.pdf |
Print out the instructions above which are generally the same for all plans. Print out the Wing Angle Meter to accurately set wing incidence compared to the zero angle of the stabilizer.
The 1system pod and landing gear are together as printable plans on the 1system pod page and will serve all the planes as a switchable pod.
Foamboard comes in 3/16" thickness and is made up of paper bonded on both sides of foam. The Dollar Tree foamboard is the best and is $1. It is quite rigid and cuts well. You will need a hot melt glue gun, and Xacto and extra blades, some bamboo skewers, and small hobby Popsicle sticks.
You'll need a 3' length of 1/16" music wire and a very small diameter music wire for pull rods for the rudder.
One full sheet weighs 4 oz, the airframe with landing gear weighs 2-3.5 oz when complete minus electronics. The motor can develop 11 oz of thrust and is very capable to move the airplane along.
The 1system pod and landing gear are together as printable plans on the 1system pod page and will serve all the planes as a switchable pod.
Foamboard comes in 3/16" thickness and is made up of paper bonded on both sides of foam. The Dollar Tree foamboard is the best and is $1. It is quite rigid and cuts well. You will need a hot melt glue gun, and Xacto and extra blades, some bamboo skewers, and small hobby Popsicle sticks.
You'll need a 3' length of 1/16" music wire and a very small diameter music wire for pull rods for the rudder.
One full sheet weighs 4 oz, the airframe with landing gear weighs 2-3.5 oz when complete minus electronics. The motor can develop 11 oz of thrust and is very capable to move the airplane along.
Print out the plans and tape together carefully lining up the pattern. Cut out the plans to the border line that lines up with the 30" x 20" foamboard. Tape the edges in a few places to hold the plans in place.
It will save time if you carefully line up the plans to the edge of the foam board.
Cut through with a sharp Xacto right in the middle of the dark lines.
It will save time if you carefully line up the plans to the edge of the foam board.
Cut through with a sharp Xacto right in the middle of the dark lines.
Take your time, go through half way focusing on the lines, then go back over and focus on cutting through. Make sure your fingers stay behind the blade (bloody experience).
Try to make all cuts straight through at a 90 degree angle so construction proceeds easier and parts remain square to each other.
Try to make all cuts straight through at a 90 degree angle so construction proceeds easier and parts remain square to each other.
Take your time and bend the landing gear wire carefully. Start at one axle and use heavy pliers. Compare each bend with the plans and think about the next angle.
Drill the centers of the wheels with a 1/8" bit. Trial fit the coffee stir stick so it fits easy. Put half a wheel with its coffee stir axle on the gear and apply a bit of glue around and quickly apply the other half wheel working it in until it is flush and turns round.
On all the 50% cuts, you will run a dull pencil point back and forth opening up that cut and flattening the foam for a glue trough.
Here the pod is being formed. Then bend up sides square, open and apply glue. Hold in position while glue sets and check with a square.
Each plan has a corner squaring tool cut from the foamboard.
Here the pod is being formed. Then bend up sides square, open and apply glue. Hold in position while glue sets and check with a square.
Each plan has a corner squaring tool cut from the foamboard.
Trial fit all the formers so you know where they will go. The fuselage has plenty of give to get these in at a later step.
Making pencil marks where they go will help a lot later.
Making pencil marks where they go will help a lot later.
You can pre-glue these components together and mark where they go.
Here the fuselage sides are being bent up square to the bottom. This step is crucial. If the fuselage is straight and square the rest of the alignment will be straight forward.
Don't add the formers until the fuselage is glued along the bottom bends.
Pull the fuselage ends together and even and check the center line runs through the tail end.
Don't add the formers until the fuselage is glued along the bottom bends.
Pull the fuselage ends together and even and check the center line runs through the tail end.
Apply glue to the formers and while slightly opening the fuselage push them into place and align. You have to work quick, so practice before putting the glue on.
Then while the glue sets check with your square to make sure the fuselage is still looking good.
Then while the glue sets check with your square to make sure the fuselage is still looking good.
Make the groove in the 50% cut and then run the hot tip of the glue gun along it without squeezing glue. Practice forming the airfoil bend and holding.
Now run a bead of glue down the groove and hold the airfoil, check with the airfoil gauge. The airfoil will tend to open so keep pressure on it until the glue sets.
Now run a bead of glue down the groove and hold the airfoil, check with the airfoil gauge. The airfoil will tend to open so keep pressure on it until the glue sets.
Once all the wing sections are formed, check the fit and how you will use the dihedral gauges.
The gap between the wing sections should be a neat and a close fit.
Glue and hold until set. You can run a flush bead on top and a thicker bead on the bottom after it's set.
The gap between the wing sections should be a neat and a close fit.
Glue and hold until set. You can run a flush bead on top and a thicker bead on the bottom after it's set.
Cut the plywood pod mounts. Its a good idea to drill and sand smooth before gluing to the foam board box. Check with the square.
When the glue dries, cut and sand any overhanging bits and sand smooth any rough corners.
When the glue dries, cut and sand any overhanging bits and sand smooth any rough corners.
Tack glue the landing gear to the bottom of the pod. Then apply a liberal amount of glue and the doubler. Press firmly to sandwich the wire between the layers.
This will make a resilient and rubbery gear for trouble free landings.
This will make a resilient and rubbery gear for trouble free landings.
Open up the hinge line on the rudder by cutting some paper away at a 30 degree angle. Work the rudder back and forth until it deflects easily 1/2" both ways.
Run a bead of glue down and smooth with the hot tip.
Keep the surface bent open until the glue dries.
Cut a control horn as shown on the plans, and a slot in line with the pull rod slots on the sides of the fuselage.
Run a bead of glue down and smooth with the hot tip.
Keep the surface bent open until the glue dries.
Cut a control horn as shown on the plans, and a slot in line with the pull rod slots on the sides of the fuselage.
Push the control horn through with a snug fit. Pull it back 3/16" and then apply some glue, push it in and carefully align it centered and straight and square.
After the glue sets, then run around both sides of the control horn with more glue to form a stronger support.
After the glue sets, then run around both sides of the control horn with more glue to form a stronger support.
Cut out the servo access door if needed on the model. You can tape this part back on later.
Install the pod with the rubber band.
Install the pod with the rubber band.
Decorate how you like. Duct tape comes in many colors and can be applied on a cutting board, shapes cut out and then transferred.
The foam board also takes paint quite well. Light coats of spray paint work well. The paint will dissolve the exposed foam, so don't over do the edges.
The foam board also takes paint quite well. Light coats of spray paint work well. The paint will dissolve the exposed foam, so don't over do the edges.
The next step is installing the electronics and rudder control.
You will need a 4 ch radio transmitter with receiver, battery, motor, servo, and ESC (electronic speed controller) All the components you need are listed in the 1 System Pod section of this website.
You will need a 4 ch radio transmitter with receiver, battery, motor, servo, and ESC (electronic speed controller) All the components you need are listed in the 1 System Pod section of this website.
