Great Planes GPMA0492 User 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 buyers are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product,they are advised
to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

READ THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL
FIRST. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY
AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

SP40P03 V1.1 Entire Contents © Copyright 2000

P.O.Box 788 Urbana, IL 61801 [phone]

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TM

USA

M

A

D

E

IN

PRECAUTIONS.................................................................2

INTRODUCTION...............................................................3

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE........................................3

Engine selection.............................................................3

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

Suggested supplies & tools ...........................................3

DIE-CUT PATTERNS ........................................................4

Two-view ........................................................................5

Common abbreviations..................................................6

Types of wood................................................................6

Metric conversions.........................................................6

Get ready to build ..........................................................6

BUILD THE T AIL SURF A CES...........................................7

Build the fin & rudder.....................................................7

Build the stabilizer and elevators...................................8

BUILD THE WING.............................................................9

Build the center panel....................................................9

Build the outer panels .................................................11

Join the wing panels....................................................15

BUILD THE FUSELAGE.................................................16

Build the lower fuselage...............................................16

Install the tail gear........................................................20

Fit the wing & stab.......................................................20

FINISHING ......................................................................21

Final sanding................................................................21

Fuelproofing.................................................................21

Balance the airplane laterally.......................................21

Cover the model...........................................................22

Recommended covering sequence .............................22

FINAL HOOKUPS AND CHECKS..................................23

Install the tank and throttle pushrod ............................23

Install the control surfaces...........................................23

Install the landing gear.................................................24

Radio installation..........................................................24

Control surface throws.................................................25

Balance your model.....................................................26

PREFLIGHT ....................................................................26

Charge the batteries ....................................................26

Find a safe place to fly.................................................26

Ground check the model..............................................26

Range check your radio ...............................................26

Engine safety precautions............................................27

AMA Safety Code ........................................................27

FLYING............................................................................27

Balance the propeller ....................................Back Cover

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

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

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

Your SlowPoke Sport 40 is not a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much like an
actual airplane. Because of its realistic performance, the
SlowPoke Sport 40, if not assembled and operated correctly,
could possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and
damage property.

To make your R/C modeling experience totally enjoyable,
we recommend that you get experienced, knowledgeable
help with assembly and during your first flights.You’ll learn

faster and av oid risking your model before you’re truly ready to
solo.Your local hobby shop has information about flying clubs
in your area whose membership includes qualified instructors.
You can also contact the national Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500 chartered
clubs across the country.Through any one of them, instructor
training programs and insured newcomer training are a vailable .

Contact the AMA at their address or toll-free phone number.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302

[phone]

www.modelaircraft.org

1. Build the plane according to the plan and instr uctions. Do
not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in an
unsafe or unflyable model. In a few cases the plan and
instructions may differ slightly from the photos. In those
instances the plan and written instructions are correct.

2.Take time to build straight, true and strong.

3. Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition,
and a correctly sized engine and components (fuel tank,
wheels, etc.) throughout your building process.

4.You must properly install all components so that the model
operates properly on the ground and in the air.

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

NOTE: We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a
top quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the
quality 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.

PRO TECT YOUR MODEL,Y OURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

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

Please inspect all parts carefully before starting to
build! If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or if
you have any questions about building or flying this
airplane, please call us at:

[phone]

or e-mail us at:

[e-mail].

If you are calling for replacement parts, please
reference the part numbers and the kit identification
number (stamped on the end of the carton) and have
them ready when calling.

Thank you for purchasing the Great Planes SlowPoke Sport
40 for your next project. We are sure that you will find a
great deal of modeling satisfaction while building and flying
this larger, sport version of the legendary Slow Poke.

Since its introduction, the original SlowPoke has been
successfully built and flown by modelers all over the world.
Now, the SlowPoke Sport 40 builds upon this tradition but
adds the dimension of larger size and ailerons for
aerobatic enjoyment.

The SlowPoke Sport 40 incorporates several improvements,
such as a redesigned wing for proportionately greater area
and faster assembly and independent servo controlled barn
door ailerons for simple installation and precise operation.
The SlowPoke also has a redesigned fuselage for optimum
placement of radio components for better balance and fewer
blocks for less carving. The end result is an excellent spor t
model that can be flown as fun-fly stunter or as a docile
Sunday flyer that will land at walking speed or fly backwards
in a breeze.So now that you know how we hav e made a good
plane better, dust off your work bench, put a new blade in
your hobby knife and let's build a SlowPoke Sport 40!

❏ 4 Channel radio with 5 servos
❏ Engine .32 - .46 2-stroke .48 - .52 4-stroke
❏ Propeller (Top Flite

®

Power Point®)

❏ 10 oz. Fuel tank (Great Planes #GPMQ4104)
❏ 12" Medium fuel tubing (Great Planes #GPMQ4131)
❏ (2) 3" Main wheels (Great Planes #GPMQ4225)
❏ (1) 1" Tail wheel (Great Planes #GPMQ4241)
❏ (4) 5/32" Wheel collars (Great Planes #GPMQ4306)
❏ (2) 3/32" Wheel collars (Great Planes #GPMQ4302)
❏ 2-1/2" Spinner (Great Planes #GPMQ4520)
❏ (3) Rolls covering film (Top Flite MonoKote

®

)

❏ 1/5 Scale pilot figure (

optional

- Williams Bros)

❏ 1/2" Latex Foam Rubber (Hobbico # HCAQ1050)

We recommended Great Planes Pro™ CA and Epoxy.

❏ 2 oz. CA (Thin) (GPMR6003)
❏ 2 oz. CA+(Medium) (GPMR6009)
❏ 1 oz. CA- (Thick) (GPMR6014)
❏ CA Applicator Tips (HCAR3780)
❏ 6-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ 30-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ 2 oz. Aliphatic Pro Wood Glue (GPMR6160)
❏ Hand or electric drill
❏ Drill bits: 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16",1/4", 17/32"
❏ Sealing iron (Top Flite)
❏ Heat gun (Top Flite)
❏ Hobby saw (X-acto Razor Saw)
❏ Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 Knife blades
❏ Razor plane (Master Airscrew

®

)(MASR1510)

❏ Pliers
❏ Screw drivers (Phillips and flat tip)
❏ 1-1/4" T-Pins (HCAR5150)
❏ Straightedge with scale (HCAR0475)
❏ Masking tape
❏ Sandpaper (coarse, medium, fine grit)
❏ Sanding block
❏ Wax paper or Plan Protector (GPMR6167)
❏ Lightweight Balsa Filler such as Hobbico

®

HobbyLite

™

(HCAR3401)

❏ 1/4-20 Tap and tap wrench (GPMR8105)
❏ Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%)

Suggested Supplies & Tools

REQUIRED ITEMS

Engine selection

There are several engines that will work well in the
SlowPoke Sport 40 but for economy and excellent
performance we recommend a 2-stroke such as an O.S.

®

.40LA or SuperTigre®GS-40. In the 4-stroke category, an
O.S..48 or .52 Surpass™are two engines well suited to this
model. Your choice of 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine will
determine the location of the throttle servo and pushrod exit.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

INTRODUCTION

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4

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P
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5

Use this drawing or photocopy it
and use the copy to design your

trim scheme.

Elev = Elevator Fuse = Fuselage

LE = Leading Edge (front) LG = Landing Gear

Lt = Left Ply = Plywood

Rt = Right Stab = Stabilizer

TE = Trailing Edge (rear) " = Inches

1. Unroll the plan sheets. Reroll the plan sheets inside out
to make them lie flat.

2. Remove all parts from the box. As you do, figure out the
name of each part by comparing it with the plan and the
parts list included with this kit. Using a felt tip or ball point
pen, lightly write the part name or size on each piece to
avoid confusion later. Use the die-cut patterns shown on
pages 4 and 5 to identify the die-cut parts and mark them
before removing them from the sheet. If any of the die-cut
parts are difficult to punch out, do not force them! Instead,
cut around the parts with a hobby knife. After punching out
the die-cut parts, use your Easy-Touch Sander or sanding
block to lightly dress the edges and to remove any
die-cutting irregularities.

3.When cutting sticks, always cut the longest pieces first
to avoid having to splice any pieces.Use the shorter pieces
to make cross bracing and filler parts. Save all leftover
materials. There are places where these short bits may
come in handy.

4. As you identify and mark the parts, separate them into
groups, such as fuse (fuselage), wing, fin, rudder and
stab (stabilizer).

Zipper top food storage bags are handy to store your
parts as you sort, identify and separate them into
sub-assemblies.

Get Ready to Build

1/64" = .4mm
1/32" = .8mm
1/16" = 1.6mm
3/32" = 2.4mm

1/8" = 3.2mm
5/32" = 4mm
3/16" = 4.8mm

1/4" = 6.4mm

3/8" = 9.5mm

1/2" = 12.7mm

5/8" = 15.9mm

3/4" = 19mm

1" = 25.4mm
2" = 50.8mm
3" = 76.2mm

6" = 152.4mm
12" = 304.8mm
15" = 381mm
18" = 457.2mm
21" = 533.4mm
24" = 609.6mm
30" = 762mm
36" = 914.4mm

1" = 25.4mm (conversion factor)

Metric Conversions

Types of Wood

Common Abbreviations

Great Planes Easy-Touch Bar Sanders are made from
lightweight extruded aluminum and can be found at most
hobby shops.They are available in five sizes:

5-1/2" (GPMR6169) for those tight, hard-to-reach spots;
11" (GPMR6170) for most general purpose sanding;
22" (GPMR6172), 33" (GPMR6174) and 44" (GPMR6176)
for long surfaces such as wing leading edges. The Easy-
Touch Adhesive-Backed Sandpaper comes in 2" x 12'
rolls of 80-grit (GPMR6180), 150-grit (GPMR6183) and
220-grit (GPMR6185) and an assortment of 5-1/2" long
strips (GPMR6189) for the short bar sander.The adhesive­backed sandpaper is easy to apply and remove from your
sanding bar when it’s time for replacement.

On our workbench, we have three 11" Great Planes
Easy-Touch™ Bar Sanders, equipped with #80, #150
and #220-grit sandpaper.This setup is all that is required
for almost any sanding task. We also keep some
#320-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper handy for finish sanding
before covering.

6

Work on a flat surface ov er the plan co v ered with w ax paper
or Great Planes Plan Protector. Refer to the plan and
die-cut patterns on pages 4 and 5 to identify and position
the parts.

❏ 1. Locate two each of the 1/8" die-cut balsa rudder top
(RT), the two piece rudder trailing edge (RTE) and the
rudder base (RB) and glue each of the pairs together,

carefully aligning the pieces for a flush fit. Sand off any
irregularities or excess glue.

❏ 2. Using a 1/4" x 1/2" x 30" balsa stick, measure and cut
the two rudder leading edge sticks to match the plan.Glue
these two pieces together over the plan and pin them in
place.Test fit, then glue the RT, RTE and RB in position.Be
sure that all parts are aligned over the plan.

❏ 3. Using a 1/4" x 1/4" x 24" balsa stick, measure, cut and
glue all cross bracing for the rudder in position. Remove
the pins and sand both sides of the rudder smooth.

❏ 4. Measure and cut the leftover 1/4" x 1/2" balsa stick
from the rudder to start framing the fin to match the plan.
Use additional 1/4" x 1/2" x 30" balsa as required. When
satisfied with the fit, glue the pieces together and pin them
to the board. Using a 1/4" x 1/4" x 24" balsa stick, measure,
cut and glue all cross bracing for the fin in position.
Remove the pins and sand both sides of the fin smooth.

❏ 5. Draw a centerline on the leading edge of the rudder.
Sand the leading edge of the rudder to a “V” shape as
shown on the plan.Sand a radius on the leading edge of the
fin and the trailing edge of the rudder.

Hint:

A Great Planes Easy-Touch Multi Sander makes both

of these sanding jobs a snap!

Build the Fin & Rudder

BUILD THE T AIL SURF ACES

7

Work on a flat surface ov er the plan co v ered with w ax paper
or Great Planes Plan Protector. Refer to the plan and
die-cut patterns on pages 4 and 5 to identify the parts.

❏ 1. Locate two each of the 1/8" die-cut balsa stab brace
(SB) and four each of the stab tips (ST), elevator tips
(ET) and elevator roots (ER).Glue two pieces of each 1/8"

part together to make 1/4" thick parts, carefully aligning the
pieces for a flush fit.You will end up with one stab forward
brace, two stab tips, two ele v ator tips and two ele vator roots .
Sand off any irregularities or excess glue.

❏ 2. From a 1/4" x 1/2" x 30" balsa stick, measure and cut
a piece 24-3/8" long to make the stab trailing edge. Pin it
in position over the plan. From the 1/4" x 1/4" x 24"
basswood stick cut and glue a 23-3/8" TE doubler to the
forward edge of the balsa trailing edge.

❏ 3. Position and glue the 1/4" x 3" x 3-15/16" balsa stab
center and die-cut balsa stab forward brace (SB) in

position over the plan. Position and glue the two stab tips
(ST) to the trailing edge.

❏ 4. From 1/4" x 1/2" x 30" balsa measure, cut and glue the
stab leading edges in position. From 1/4" x 1/4" x 24" balsa
measure, cut and glue the cross bracing in position to
complete the stab assembly. Remove the stab from the board
and sand both sides smooth. Blend the leading edge at the
tips to match the plan. Sand a flat on the front of the leading
edge to match the plan. Leave the trailing edge square.

❏❏5. Pin the die-cut balsa elevator tip (ET) and elevator
root (ER) in position over the plan. From a 1/4" x 5/8" x 30"
stick, measure, cut and pin the elevator leading edge and
trailing edge in position.When satisfied with the fit, glue the
parts together.

❏❏6. From leftover 1/4" x 1/4" balsa, install the elevator
cross bracing as shown on the plan. Remove the elevator
from the board and sand both sides smooth.

❏ 7.Go to step 5 and build a second elevator to match the first.

Hint:

Cover first elevator with wax paper or Plan Protector

then build an identical one right on top of the first!

❏ 8. Pin the Stab to the board and then align both elevators
along its trailing edge, flush at the tips.Be sure your elevators
are positioned correctly with the “roots” to the center of the
stab. Pin the elevators in position, then using the ele vator
joiner wire as a guide, accurately mark the location of the

torque arms

. Remove the elevators from the board.

Build the Stabilizer & Elevators

8

❏❏9. Using your marks as a guide, carefully drill a 1/8"
diameter hole into each elevator’s leading edge, approximately
3/4" deep.

❏❏10.Cut a 1/8" deep groove from the elev ator root to the
hole you just drilled. Hint:

This can be easily done using a
piece of sharpened 1/8" brass tubing or by using a Great
Planes Groove Tube.

❏ 11. Inser t the elevator joiner wire into the elevators and
check the combined parts for flatness and also that their
leading edges are straight.Carefully bend the joiner wire as
needed to obtain proper alignment. Check that the overall
length of the elevators matches the length of the stab.Once
satisfied with the alignment and fit, remove the joiner wire,
noting which end goes where. Roughen both “torque arms”
with coarse sandpaper or a file.

❏❏12.Round off each elevator’ s trailing edge and the stab
leading edge. Draw a centerline on their leading edges,
then sand both to a “V” as shown on the plan.

❏ 13. Pack the joiner wire hole in only one elevator with
6-minute epoxy, then insert the joiner wire completely.
Without using any epoxy on the other elevator, slide it
onto the joiner wire and once again check for alignment with
a straightedge. Once the epoxy has cured, clean up the
leading edge with medium sandpaper and set both
elevators aside. Note: You will glue the other half of the
joiner wire in position during final assembly, after the model
is covered, so don’t get ahead of yourself just yet.

Well that was pretty painless wasn’t it? The tail feathers are
done and now we can move on to the bigger stuff. Clean off
your bench, cover the wing plan with wax paper or Plan
Protector and let's get going on the center section of the wing.

NOTE: The wing panels are built “right-side up” over
the plan.

Work on a flat surface ov er the plan co v ered with w ax paper
or Great Planes Plan Protector. Refer to the plan and
die-cut patterns on pages 4 and 5 to identify and position
the parts.

❏ 1. Locate one 1/8" die-cut balsa W-1 rib, two 1/8" die-cut
ply wing plug doublers (PD) and two 3/32" die-cut balsa
sheeting supports (SS). Use medium CA to glue one wing
plug doubler to each side of the W-1 rib, aligned with the
forward end. Glue one 3/32" sheeting suppor t to each side
of the plug doublers, flush with the bottom edge and LE.

❏ 2. Cut four 1/16" x 3" x 30" balsa sheets into twelve 8-5/8"
long pieces.Tr ue up the edges. Refer to the

Expert Tip

that
follows, then edge glue six pieces together to make the
bottom skin and six to make the top skin. The skins will
measure roughly 8-5/8" x 18".Tr im one skin to 17-1/8". This
will be used on the bottom of the center panel.

CA is much harder than balsa, so when you sand edge
glued sheets you will usually end up with a ridge along
the joint. To avoid this problem the Great Planes Model
Shop team have reverted to using ordinary wood glue for
this application.We prefer Wood Glue as it sets quickly, is
water resistant and sands easily.We put a blob of the glue
on a sheet of wax paper, then apply it to the edge of the
wood with a finger-tip. After joining the sheets, wipe off
any excess with a tissue, then use a couple of strips of
masking tape to hold the sheets together while the glue
sets. Sand the joint by using a sanding block and fresh
220-grit sandpaper. Work the block in a circular motion
across the joint until smooth.

Build the Center Panel

BUILD THE WING

9