E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF User Manual
Twist 3D 480 ARF
Assembly Manual
Notice
All instructions, warranties and other collateral
documents are subject to change at the sole
discretion of Horizon Hobby, Inc. For up-to-date
product literature, visit http://www.horizonhobby.
com and click on the support tab for this product.
Meaning of Special Language
The following terms are used throughout the product
literature to indicate various levels of potential harm
when operating this product:
NOTICE: Procedures, which if not properly followed,
create a possibility of physical property damage
AND a little or no possibility of injury.
CAUTION: Procedures, which if not properly followed,
create the probability of physical property damage
AND a possibility of serious injury.
WARNING: Procedures, which if not properly followed,
create the probability of property damage, collateral
damage, and serious injury OR create a high
probability of superficial injury.
This is a sophisticated hobby product and NOT a
toy. It must be operated with caution and common
sense and requires some basic mechanical
ability. Failure to operate this Product in a safe
and responsible manner could result in injury or
damage to the product or other property. This
product is not intended for use by children without
direct adult supervision. Do not attempt disassembly,
use with incompatible components or augment
product in any way without the approval of Horizon
Hobby, Inc. This manual contains instructions for
safety, operation and maintenance. It is essential to
read and follow all the instructions and warnings
in the manual, prior to assembly, setup or use, in
order to operate correctly and avoid damage or
serious injury.
Warnings
Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions
before use. Improper use can result in fire, serious
injury and damage to property.
Age Recommendation:
Not for Children under 14 years.
This is not a toy.
PROPELLER
Keep loose items that can get entangled in the
propeller away from the prop, including loose clothing
or other objects such as pencils and screwdrivers.
Especially keep your hands away from the propeller as
injury can occur.
BATTERIES
Notes on Lithium Polymer Batteries
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using
and disposing of any batteries. Mishandling of Li-Po
batteries can result in fire causing serious injury and
damage.
SMALL PARTS
This kit includes small parts and should not be left
unattended near children as choking and serious injury
could result.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
• Checkallcontrolsurfacespriortoeachtakeoff.
• Donotflyyourmodelnearspectators,parking
areas or any other area that could result in injury to
people or damage of property.
COMPONENTS
WARNING: Read the ENTIRE instruction
manual to become familiar with the features of the
product before operating. Failure to operate the
product correctly can result in damage to the
product, personal property and cause serious injury.
2 E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
Use only with compatible components. Should any
compatibility questions exist, please refer to the
product instructions, the component instructions or
contact Horizon Hobby, Inc.
FLIGHT
Fly only in open areas to ensure safety. It is
recommended flying be done at AMA (Academy of
Model Aeronautics) approved flying sites. Consult local
laws and ordinances before choosing a location to fly
your aircraft.
• Donotflyduringadverseweatherconditions.
Poor visibility and/or strong winds can cause
disorientation and loss of control of your aircraft.
• Donottakechances.Ifatanytimeduringflightyou
observe any erratic or abnormal operation, land
immediately and do not resume flight until the cause
of the problem has been ascertained and corrected.
Safety can never be taken lightly.
• Donotflynearpowerlines.
Table of Contents
Notice ................................................................... 2
Meaning of Special Language ................................. 2
Warnings .............................................................. 2
Introduction ........................................................... 3
Important Information Regarding
Warranty Information ..................................... 3
Specifications ......................................................... 3
Using the Manual ................................................... 3
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout .................................... 4
Covering Colors ..................................................... 4
Recommended Radio Equipment ............................. 4
High-Power Setup (Recommended) .......................... 4
Sport-Power Setup (Optional) ................................. 4
Required Tools and Adhesives ................................. 4
Optional Accessories .............................................. 4
Aileron Servo Installation ........................................ 5
Hinging the Ailerons .............................................. 6
Aileron Linkage Installation ..................................... 7
Landing Gear Installation ........................................ 8
Motor Installation ................................................... 9
Wing Installation .................................................. 11
Stabilizer Installation ............................................ 12
Vertical Fin Installation .......................................... 14
Rudder and Elevator Installation ............................ 15
Rudder and Elevator Servo Installation ................... 17
Canopy Installation .............................................. 19
Center of Gravity ................................................. 20
Control Throws..................................................... 21
Preflight ............................................................... 21
Range Test Your Radio .......................................... 22
Flying Your Model ................................................ 22
Daily Flight Checks ............................................... 23
Limited Warranty ................................................. 23
Warranty Services ................................................ 24
Compliance Information for the European Union .... 25
Academy of Model Aeronautics
National Model Aircraft Safety Code ............ 25
Building and Flying Notes ..................................... 27
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the E-flite® Twist 3D 480
ARF RC sport model. Your handsome new airplane
is a modern design application of form and function
to provide a great flying model that builds quickly. A
blast to fly with an electric 450- or 480-class power
system, it is perfectly matched for the E-flite Park 450to 480-size brushless outrunner motors (EFLM1400,
EFLM1505) that are world renown for great power
and reliability. Contemporary all-wood construction
makes the Twist 3D 480 very strong, plus its highcontrast genuine UltraCote
beautiful for a long time. For convenience, the large
top and bottom hatches offer virtually unlimited access
to vital components. To get the best performance
the Twist 3D 480 has to offer, optional wheel pants
(EFL2607) and a pilot figure (PKZ5105) are available
as shown on the box.
The lightweight Twist 3D 480 is outstanding at lowspeed flight and offers friendly handling even while
performing extreme maneuvers. Please be sure to
read through this manual carefully so that you can
successfully enjoy all the benefits this great electric
powered ARF model has to offer.
®
covering will keep looking
Important Information
Regarding Warranty Information
Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitations in
the back of this manual before building this product.
If you as the Purchaser or user are not prepared
to accept the liability associated with the use of
this Product, you are advised to return this Product
immediately in new and unused condition to the place
of purchase.
Specifications
Wingspan: 35.0 in (890mm)
Wing Area: 404 sq in (16.0 sq dm)
Fuselage Length: 34.5 in (880mm)
Weight w/ Battery: 25.9–29.6 oz (735–840 g)
Weight w/o Battery: 20.8–23.3 oz (590–660 g)
Using the Manual
This manual is divided into sections to help make
assembly easier to understand and to provide breaks
between each major section. In addition, check boxes
have been placed next to each step to keep track
of its completion. Steps with a single circle () are
performed once, while steps with two or more circles
() indicate the step will require repeating, such as
for a right or left wing panel, two servos, etc.
Remember to take your time and follow the directions.
3E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout
Recommended Radio Equipment
Required Tools and Adhesives
Replacement Parts:
EFL300501 Fuselage
EFL300502 Wing Set
EFL300503 Tail Set
EFL300504 Landing Gear
EFL300505 Canopy
EFL300506 Wing Tube
EFL300507 Hardware Package
EFL300508 Pushrod Set
EFL300509 Hatch Set
EFL300510 Decal Set
Covering Colors
Cub Yellow HANU884
True Red HANU866
Deep Blue HANU873
Transparent Red HANU950
You will need a minimum 4-channel transmitter,
receiver and four servos.
Complete Radio System
DX6i
Or Purchase Separately
SPMAR6115 AR6115 6CH DSMX
Microlite Receiver
EFLRDS76 DS76 Digital Servo (4)
EFLREX9L 9-inch (228mm)
Servo Extension (2)
®
High-Power Setup (Recommended)
EFLM1505 Park 480
EFLA1030 30-Amp Pro Brushless ESC
EFLB22003S30 2200mAh 3S 11.1V 30C Li-Po,
12AWG with EC3™ connector
APC12060E 12 x 6E Electric Propeller
Sport-Power Setup (Optional)
EFLM1400 Park 450
EFLA1030 30-Amp Pro Brushless ESC
EFLB22003S30 2200mAh 3S 11.1V 30C Li-Po,
12AWG with EC3™ connector
APC12060E 12 x 6E Electric Propeller
Tools & Equipment
Felt-tipped pen Hex wrench: 1.5mm, 2.5mm
Light machine oil Medium CA
Pin vise Ruler
Side cutters Square
T-pins String or dental floss
Thin CA Toothpicks
Nut driver: 5.5mm Needle nose pliers
Straight edge Denatured alcohol
Paper towels
Drill bit: 1/16 inch (1.5mm), 5/64 inch (2mm)
Hobby knife with #11 blade
Medium grit sandpaper
Phillips screwdriver: #00, #1
Optional Tools & Equipment
Balancing stand (optional)
Adhesives
5-minute epoxy PAAPT37
Medium CA PAAPT02
Thin CA PAAPT08
Threadlock PAAPT42
Canopy Glue PAAPT56
Optional Accessories
EFLA110 Power Meter
EFLC3025 Celectra™ 80W AC/DC Multi-
Chemistry Battery Charger
EFLAEC312 Charge Lead with 12 inch Wire
and Jacks, 16AWG
PKZ5105 Painted Pilot: Extra 300
EFL2605 Wheel pants (from Edge 540 BP)
4 E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
During the course of building your model, we
suggest you use a soft base for the building surface.
Such things as a foam stand, large piece of
bedding foam or a thick bath towel will work well
and help protect the model from damage during
assembly. This is not shown in the instructions
to provide the greatest detail in the photos.
When referencing directions (up, down, left,
right top and bottom), these directions are in
relationship to the pilot sitting in the cockpit
of the aircraft, unless noted otherwise.
Aileron Servo Installation
Required Parts
Wing panel (right and left)
Servo with hardware (2)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Thin CA Phillips screwdriver: #1
1. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to thread a
servo mounting screw into each of the holes to
cut threads in the surrounding wood. Remove the
screw before moving to the next step.
3. Insert the servo lead into the wing. Hold the
wing with the tip in the air and guide the lead out
of the wing at the wing root. Secure the servo in
the wing using the screws provided with the servo
and a #1 Phillips screwdriver. The output shaft of
the servo faces toward the aileron as shown.
Before starting the assembly of your model, we
recommend preparing your radio system for
installation. This includes charging the transmitter and
receiver batteries, as well as centering the trims and
sticks on your transmitter. If using a computer radio,
make sure to reset a model memory and name it for
this particular model. We also recommend binding
the transmitter and receiver at this time, following
the instructions provided with your radio system.
We highly recommend re-binding the radio
system once all the control throws are set. This will
keep the servos from moving to their endpoints
until the transmitter and receiver connect.
2. Apply 1–2 drops of thin CA in each of the holes
to harden the surrounding wood. This will prevent
the screws from stripping surrounding wood.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to install the remaining
aileron servo.
5E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
Hinging the Ailerons
Required Parts
Wing panel (right and left)
Aileron (right and left
CA hinge (8)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Thin CA T-pins
Pin vise Drill bit: 1/16-inch (1.5mm)
1. Use a pin vise and 1/16-inch (1.5mm) drill bit
to drill a hole in the center of each hinge slot in the
aileron and wing to create a tunnel for the CA to
wick into. This will allow the CA to penetrate the
hinge, creating a better bond between the hinge
and surrounding wood.
3. Insert the hinges in the ailerons. The T-pin should
rest on the edge of the aileron bevel.
4. Slide the aileron back into position. Make sure the
tip of the aileron is flush with the tip of the wing.
5. Remove the T-pins from the hinges. Saturate
each hinge with thin CA. Apply CA to both the top
and bottom of the hinge.
Do not use CA accelerator when gluing the hinges.
The CA must be allowed to soak into the hinge for the
best bond between the hinge and surrounding wood.
If you are in a humid environment, it is possible that
after the CA cures, a white “fog” will be visible. In
most cases, this can be wiped off with acetone or CA
debonder on a paper towel. In the event that the fog
2. Place a T-pin in the center of each of the five
hinges. This will center the hinges equally in the
aileron and wing when they are installed.
Placing a #11 hobby blade between the aileron
leading edge and wing trailing edge to position
the aileron will result in a nice free moving
hinge for 3D throws without any binding.
6 E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
forms UNDER the transparent covering, often times a
heat gun can be used to carefully heat the covering to
minimize or eliminate the appearance of the CA fog.
If accelerator is used to cure the CA, the fog that forms
will likely be permanent and this method will not work.
6. Once the CA has cured, gently pull on the
control surface and wing to make sure the hinges
are glued securely. If not, apply CA to those hinges
that are not glued and recheck. Move the aileron
through its range of motion several times to break
in the hinges. This will reduce the initial load on the
servo when it is attached for the first time.
Aileron Linkage Installation
Required Parts
Wing assembly (right and left)
Pushrod connector (2)
Transmitter Receiver
Flight battery 3D servo horn
Electronic speed control
Nylon control horn with backplate (2)
2.0mm x 170mm pushrod with Z-bend (2)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Thin CA Pin vise
Side cutters Hex wrench: 1.5mm
Toothpick Phillips screwdriver: #0
Drill bit: 5/64-inch (2mm)
1. Insert the control horn in the slot in the aileron.
2. Slide the control horn backplate over the end
of the control horn from the opposite side of the
control surface. Snap the backplate so the horn is
held tight against the control surface. Apply 2–3
drops of thin CA to the top and bottom of the horn
backplate to keep it from accidentally coming loose
in flight.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to hinge the
remaining aileron.
3. Use a #0 Phillips screwdriver to remove the
servo included with the servo. Set the screw aside
in a safe location. Place a long 3D servo horn
on the servo. Use the radio system to center the
aileron servo. Make sure to position the horn so
it is parallel to the hinge line. If the horn can’t be
installed parallel, use the sub-trim feature of the
radio system to fine-tune the position of the horn.
Use side cutters to remove the side of the horn
facing the root of the wing.
7E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
4. Use a pin vise and 5/64-inch (2mm) drill bit
to enlarge the hole in the arm that is 3/4 inch
(19mm) from the center of the arm. Attach the
pushrod connector to the servo arm. The included
washers may be used to reduce the amount of play
in the connector when it is installed. Tighten the nut
so that it is secure on the arm but is not too tight.
There should be a small amount of play between
the arm and the connector, and the connector
should be able to rotate freely on the arm. Use a
very small amount of medium CA on a toothpick
to secure the nut to the bottom of the connector
threads. Do not use thin CA for this step as it can
wick through the nut and glue the connector to the
arm. Make sure the connector still rotates freely in
the arm after the glue is cured.
Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners
to prevent them from vibrating loose.
6. The pushrod wire will pass through the hole in
the micro screw-lock connector. With the servo
centered, secure the horn to the servo using the
screw provided with the servo and a #0 Phillips
screwdriver. With the control surface and servo
centered, use a 1.5mm hex wrench to tighten the
setscrew in the connector to secure the pushrod
wire. Use side cutters to trim the pushrod so it is
1/4 inch (6mm) past the connector as shown.
Landing Gear Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage Wheel (2)
M3 nut (4) M3 washer (6)
M3 lock washer (2) Aluminum landing gear
M3 x 10 socket head bolt (2)
M3 x 15 socket head bolt (2)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Pin vise Drill bit: 1/8-inch (3mm)
Needle nose pliers Nut driver: 5.5mm
Hex wrench: 2.5mm
1. Slide the M3 x 15 socket head bolt through the
hole in the wheel. Thread an M3 nut on the bolt,
but leave it loose enough so the wheel can spin
freely on the bolt. Slide an M3 washer on the bolt.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 to install the remaining
5. Pass the Z-bend in the 2.0mm x 170mm
pushrod through the center hole of the control horn.
8 E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
aileron control horn and pushrod.
Motor Installation
Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners
to prevent them from vibrating loose.
2. Insert the bolt in the landing gear. Place an M3
washer, then an M3 nut on the bolt. Use needle
nose pliers and a 5.5mm nut driver to tighten the
nut, securing the wheel to the landing gear. Make
sure the wheel still rotates freely once the nuts are
fully tightened.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to attach the remaining
wheel to the landing gear.
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Flight battery
Speed control Motor with hardware
Receiver Hook and loop tape
Transmitter Hook and loop strap
M3 washer (4) M3 blind nut (4)
M3 lock washer (4) M3 x 10 socket head bolt (4)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Threadlock Scissors
Hex wrench: 2.5mm
1. Remove the hatch from the fuselage by lifting it
up at the rear. The rear is held in position using a
magnet and the front has tabs that lock the hatch to
the fuselage. Set the hatch aside in a safe location
until later.
Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners.
2. Prepare your motor by attaching the mount to the
motor using the hardware provided.
4. Attach the landing gear to the fuselage using
two M3 x 10 socket head bolts, two M3 washers
and two M3 lock washers. Slide the lock washer on
the bolt, then the washer, before securing the gear.
Use a 2.5mm hex wrench to tighten the bolts.
There are multiple holes located on the firewall to
mount a variety of motors. The Park 480 will mount
with a 45 degree orientation of the X-mount and
the Park 450 will mount with a vertical/horizontal
orientation as shown in the following photos.
9E-flite Twist 3D 480 ARF Assembly Manual
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