GREAT PLANES Fokker D.VII ARF ElectriFly Instruction Manual

WARRANTY

Great Planes®Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase.
This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Great Planes’ liability exceed the
original cost of the purchased kit. Fur ther, Great Planes reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.

In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for
any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product.By the act of using the user-assembled product, the user
accepts all resulting liability.

If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return this kit
immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to Hobby Services at the address below:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

USA

Include a letter stating your name, return shipping address, as much contact information as possible (daytime telephone number, fax number,
e-mail address), a detailed description of the problem and a photocopy of the purchase receipt. Upon receipt of the package the problem will
be evaluated as quickly as possible.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING
CONSTRUCTION.IT CONT AINS IMPOR T ANT INSTR UCTIONS
AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND
USE OF THIS MODEL.

GPMZ1141 for GPMA1141 V1.0Entire Contents © Copyright 2006

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wingspan: 36 in [914mm]
Wing Area: 360 sq in [23.2dm2]
Weight: 25.7 oz. [730g]
Wing Loading: 10 oz/sq ft [30g/dm2]
Length: 27 in [686mm]
Required (not included):
Radio: 4-channel with four micro servos
Motor: ElectriFly™RimFire™28-30-950 brushless
ESC: ElectriFly SS-25
Battery: 11.1V, 1250mAh LiPo

™

2

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................2

AMA...................................................................................2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS..................................................2

BATTERY CHARGER OPTIONS......................................3

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.....................................3

Hardware & Accessories.............................................3

Adhesives & Building Supplies....................................3

Optional Supplies & Tools ...........................................3

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES ......................................4

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS............................................4

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS ..............................4

METRIC/INCH RULER......................................................4

KIT INSPECTION..............................................................5

KIT CONTENTS ................................................................5

PREPARATIONS ...............................................................6

ASSEMBLE THE WING ....................................................6

Install the Ailerons.......................................................6

ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE...........................................7

Mount the Wing...........................................................7

Mount the Stabilizer & Fin...........................................7

RADIO INSTALLATION .....................................................9

Install the Motor & ESC...............................................9

Install the Linkages ...................................................10

Install the Servos.......................................................11

Install the Top Wing...................................................13

FINISH THE MODEL .......................................................14

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY .................................16

Check the Control Directions ....................................16

Set the Control Throws..............................................17

Balance the Model (C.G.)..........................................17

Balance the Model Laterally ......................................17

PREFLIGHT.....................................................................18

Identify Your Model ....................................................18

Charge the Transmitter Batteries...............................18

Balance the Propellers..............................................18

Proper Care of Your Motor.........................................18

Ground Check...........................................................18

Range Check.............................................................18

MOTOR & BATTERY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS............18

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)....................................19

CHECK LIST ...................................................................19

FLYING ............................................................................19

Takeoff ...............................................Back Cover Page

Flight..................................................Back Cover Page

Landing..............................................Back Cover Page

The Fokker D.VII is one of the most popular and most deadly
of all German WW1 biplanes.You can now have this great
looking and flying aircraft as an electric without the mess
and fuss of a glow engine. With today’s LiPo (Lithium­Polymer) batteries and micro servos, small electrics have
become very popular. Now Great Planes brings you the
Fokker D.VII in a small, easy to fly, ARF electric. So if you

want to impress your glow flying b uddies with an electric, the
Great Planes Fokker D.VII EP ARF is just what you need.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Fokker D.VII EP ARF, visit the Great Planes web site at
www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link and
select the Fokker D.VII EP ARF. If there is new technical
information or changes to this model a “tech notice” box will
appear in the upper left corner of the page.

We urge you to join the AMA (Academy of Model
Aeronautics) and a local R/C club.The AMA is the governing
body of model aviation and membership is required to fly at
AMA clubs.Though joining the AMA provides many benefits,
one of the primary reasons to join is liability protection.
Coverage is not limited to flying at contests or on the club
field. It even applies to flying at public demonstrations and
air shows. Failure to comply with the Safety Code (excerpts
printed in the back of the manual) may endanger insurance
coverage.Additionally, training programs and instructors are
available at AMA club sites to help you get started the right
way. There are over 2,500 AMA chartered clubs across the
country. Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free phone
number below.

IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you can do
to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid
flying near full-scale aircraft and avoid flying near or over
groups of people.

1.Your F okk er D.VII EP ARF should not be considered a toy ,
but rather a sophisticated, working model that functions very
much like a full-size airplane. Because of its performance
capabilities, the Fokker D.VII EP ARF, if not assembled and
operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself or
spectators and damage to property.

2. You must assemble the model according to the
instructions. Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so
may result in an unsafe or unflyable model. In a few cases

PRO TECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302

Tele: [phone]

Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

AMA

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

the instructions may differ slightly from the photos.In those
instances the written instructions should be considered
as correct.

3.You must take time to build straight, true and strong.

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in
first-class condition.

5.You must correctly install all R/C and other components so
that the model operates correctly on the ground and in the air .

6.You must check the operation of the model before every
flight to insure that all equipment is operating and that the
model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check
clevises or other connectors often and replace them if they
show any signs of wear or fatigue.

7. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not flown this
type of model before, we recommend that you get the
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for your
first flights.If you’ re not a member of a club, your local hob by
shop has information about clubs in your area whose
membership includes experienced pilots.

Remember:Take your time and follow the instructions to
end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.

The Great Planes Fokker D.VII EP ARF is designed for use
with LiPo (Lithium-Polymer) batteries only. All LiPo batteries
require a charger specifically designed for charging LiPo
batteries. The use of a charger not designed for charging
LiPo batteries will result in damage to the batteries and
possibly a fire.

We recommend the use of the Great Planes Triton™DC
Peak Charger (GPMM3150), the ElectriFly DC PolyCharge

™

(GPMM3010) or for charging more than one battery at a
time the ElectriFly PolyCharge4 (GPMM3015).

In addition to the items listed in the

“BATTERY CHARGER

OPTIONS”

section, the following is the list of hardware and
accessories required to finish the Fokker D.VII EP ARF.
Order numbers are provided in parentheses.

❏ 4-Channel radio with four micro servos with a minimum

17 oz/in each such as the Futaba®S3107 (FUTM0025)

❏ (1) ElectriFly SS-25 25 amp brushless ESC (GPMM1820)
❏ (1) ElectriFly 3.5mm Bullet

™

(male) to 2mm Bullet

(female) connector adapter (GPMM3122)

❏ (1) ElectriFly 1250mAh LiPo 3-cell battery (GPMP0823)
❏ (1) Futaba R114F 4-channel FM receiver

(FUTL0443, FUTL0442)

❏ (1) Futaba “Y-harness” (FUTM4130)
❏ (1) ElectriFly RimFire C28-30-950 brushless

motor (GPMG4560)

❏ (1) 10x4.5 Prop (GPMQ6660)
❏ (1) 3mm Prop adapter (GPMQ4959)
❏ (1) 6" [152mm] Servo extension

In addition to common household tools and hobby tools, this
is the “short list”of the most important items required to build
the Fokker D.VII EP ARF.

Great Planes Pro™CA and Epoxy

glue are recommended.

❏ 1 oz. [28g] Thin Pro CA (GPMR6002)
❏ 1 oz. [28g] Medium Pro CA (GPMR6008)
❏ Hook & Loop material (GPMQ4480)
❏ #1 Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 Blades (5-pack, HCAR0211)
❏ Medium T-pins (100, HCAR5150)
❏ Builder’s Triangle Set (HCAR0480)
❏ K & S #801 Kevlar

®

thread or string (for stab alignment)

❏ Pliers
❏ Wire cutter
❏ Clear tape

Here is a list of optional tools mentioned in the manual that
will help you build the Fokker D.VII EP ARF.

❏ Stick-on segmented lead weights (GPMQ4485)
❏ Top Flite

®

MonoKote®sealing iron (TOPR2100)

❏ Top Flite Hot Sock

™

iron cover (TOPR2175)

❏ Top Flite MonoKote heat gun (TOPR2000)
❏ 2 oz. [57g] Spray CA activator (GPMR6035)
❏ CA applicator tips (HCAR3780)
❏ CA debonder (GPMR6039)

Optional Supplies & Tools

Accessories & Building Supplies

Hardware & Accessories

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

BATTERY CHARGER OPTIONS

We, as the kit manuf acturer, provide you with a top quality ,
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the
quality and flyability of your finished model depends on
how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way
guarantee the performance of your completed model, and
no representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.

3

❏ Robart Super Stand II (ROBP1402)
❏ CG Machine

™

(GPMR2400)

❏ Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer

™

(TOPQ5700)

• When you see the term

test fit

in the instructions, it
means that you should first position the part on the
assembly without using any glue, and then slightly modify
or

custom fit

the part as necessar y for the best fit.

• This kit contains primarily metric hardware with just a
couple of exceptions.

•

Photos

and

sketches

are placed before the step they
refer to. Frequently you can study photos in following steps
to get another view of the same parts.

• The stabilizer and wing incidences and motor thrust
angles have been factory-built into this model. However,
some technically-minded modelers may wish to check these
measurements anyway.To view this information visit the web
site at www.greatplanes.com and click on “Technical Data. ”
Due to manufacturing tolerances which will have little or no
effect on the way your model will fly, please expect slight
deviations between your model and the published values.

Fuse = Fuselage

Stab = Horizontal Stabilizer

Fin = Ver tical Fin

LE = Leading Edge

TE = Trailing Edge
LG = Landing Gear
Ply = Plywood

" = Inches

mm = Millimeters

ESC = Electronic Speed Control

Replacement parts for the Great Planes Fokker D.VII EP ARF
are available using the order numbers in the Replacement
Parts List that follows.The fastest, most economical service can
be provided by your hobby dealer or mail-order company.

To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Hobbico

®

web site at
www.hobbico.com. Choose “Where to Buy” at the bottom
of the menu on the left side of the page. Follow the
instructions provided on the page to locate a U.S., Canadian
or International dealer.

Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by
calling [phone], or via facsimile at [phone], but
full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will apply.
Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged sales tax. If
ordering via fax, include a Visa®or MasterCard®number and
expiration date for payment.

Mail parts orders and payments by personal check to:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Be certain to specify the order number exactly as listed in the
Replacement Parts List. Payment by credit card or personal
check only;no C.O.D.

If additional assistance is required for any reason contact Product
Support by e-mail at [e-mail],
or by telephone at [phone].

Replacement Parts List

GPMA3015..............Top Wing Set

GPMA3016..............Bottom Wing Set

GPMA3017..............Fuse Set

GPMA3018..............Tail Surface Set

GPMA3019..............Cowl/Cheek Vent Set

GPMA3020..............Cabanes Set

GPMA3021..............N Strut Set

GPMA3022..............Machine Gun Set

GPMA3023..............Landing Gear

GPMA3010..............Wheels (2)

GPMA3011..............Pilot

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

4

To convert inches to millimeters, multiply inches by 25.4

5

Before starting to build, take an inventory of this kit to make sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they
are of acceptable quality. If any parts are missing or are not of acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly ,
contact Product Support. When reporting defective or missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in
the Kit Contents list.

Great Planes Product Support

3002 N. Apollo Drive , Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Telephone: [phone], ext. 5

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

KIT INSPECTION

1. Battery Cover

2. Fuselage

3. Stabilizer

4. Elevators

5. ABS Side Vents (2)

6. Landing Gear (2)

7. Wheels (2)

8. V-Shaped Cabanes (2)

9. Cheek V ents (L&R)

10. Straight Cabane Struts (4)

11. Cowl

12. N Struts (2)

13. Landing Gear Sub Wing

14. Machine Gun Mount

15. Machine Guns (2)

16. Aileron Ser vo Hatches (2)

17. Fin & Rudder

18. Radio Cover

19. T op Wing w/Ailerons

20. Bottom Wing

Kit Contents

KIT CONTENTS

6

20

2

7

8

10

12

13

16

15

3

4

17

18

11

9

19

5

14

1

❏ 1. If you have not done so already, remove the major

parts of the kit from the box (wing, fuselage, tail parts, etc.)
and inspect them for damage. If any par ts are damaged or
missing, contact Product Support at the address or
telephone number on page 5.

❏ 2. Separate the ailerons from the wing, the rudder from

the fin and the elevator from the stabilizer.If necessary, use
a covering iron set on medium/high to carefully tighten the
covering.Lay the control surface on a flat surface and apply
pressure over sheeted areas to thoroughly bond the
covering to the wood. Hint: Poke three or four pin holes in
the covering over the open structure in the tail surf aces .This
will allow the hot air to escape while tightening the covering.

WARNING: DO NOT OVER SHRINK THE COVERING OR
IT WILL CAUSE THE CONTROL SURFACES TO TWIST.

❏ 3. Check the hinge slots of all control surfaces using a

hobby knife with a #11 blade. This will help when installing
the hinges.

❏❏1. Test fit the right aileron to the top wing with two

6.4mm x 15mm [1/4" x 5/8"] hinges. If the hinges don’t stay
centered, stick a pin through the middle of the hinges to hold
them in position while fitting the aileron to the wing.

❏❏2. Remove any pins you may have inserted into the

hinges. Install the aileron so there is a very small gap
between the LE of the aileron and the wing.The gap should
be small – just enough to see light through or to slip a piece
of paper through.

❏❏3. Apply three drops of thin CA to the top and bottom

of each hinge. Do not use CA accelerator. After the CA has
cured, test the hinges by pulling on the ailerons.

❏ 4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the left aileron.

Install the Ailerons

ASSEMBLE THE WINGPREPARATIONS

6