Great Planes GPMA1134 User Manual

SPECIFICATIONS

Wingspan: 30 in [760mm]

Wing Area: 282 in

Wing Loading: 4.1 oz/ft

2

[18.2 dm2]

2

[13 g/dm2]

Length: 24.5 in [620mm]
Weight: 8.1 oz [230 g]

Radio: 3-channel, 2-micro servos

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.
Further, 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

INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

™

Motor: RimFire

7.4V (2S) 300mAh LiPo,
SS-8 ESC

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.

250 (28-13-1750),

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT

INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

Entire Contents © 2010 GPMA1134 Mnl

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

Motor, Battery, ESC Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . .3

Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Adhesives and Building Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

KIT CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Mount the Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Mount the Stab and Fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Hook up the Elevator and Rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Mount the Cowl and Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Optional: Add the Flying Wires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Check the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Balance the Propeller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Ground Check and Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the ElectriFly Tiger Moth Slow

Flyer EP ARF. The Tiger Moth was intended for indoor fl ying,

but is also fun to fl y outdoors on evenings or in the morning

when the winds are still calm.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the

Tiger Moth visit the ElectriFly web site at www.ElectriFly.com.

Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the ElectriFly Tiger

Moth 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.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join!

The AMA is the governing body of model aviation and

membership provides liability insurance coverage, protects
modelers’ rights and interests and is required to fl y at most

R/C sites.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. [phone]

Fax [phone]
Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

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

PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF

& OTHERS… FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Y our Tiger Moth should not be considered a to y , but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much like
a full-size airplane. Because of its perf ormance capabilities,
the Tiger Moth, 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 unfl yable model.

In a few cases 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. Y ou must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition,
a correctly sized motor, and other components as
specifi ed in this instruction manual. All components must
be correctly installed so that the model operates correctly
on the ground and in the air. You must check the operation
of the model and all components before every fl ight.

5. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this
type of model before, we recommend that you get the
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for

your fi rst fl ights. If you’re not a member of a club, your

local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area
whose membership includes experienced pilots.

6. While this kit has been fl ight tested to exceed normal use,

if the plane will be used for extremely high stress fl ying,
such as aggressive aerobatics, or if a motor larger than
one in the recommended range is used, the modeler is
responsible for taking steps to reinforce the high stress
points and/or substituting hardware more suitable for the
increased stress.

We, as the kit manuf acturer, provide y ou with a top quality,
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the
quality and fl yability of your fi nished 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.

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

2

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

This is a partial list of items required to fi nish the Tiger Moth

that are illustrated in the instruction manual. Order numbers
are provided in parentheses.

Motor, Battery, ESC Recommendations

❍ Great Planes® RimFire 250 (28-13-1750) Outrunner

motor (GPMG4502)

❍ Great Planes ElectriFly 2S (7.4V) 300mAh 20C

Competition BP LiPo battery (GPMP0700)

❍ Great Planes ElectriFly SS-8 8 Amp Brushless ESC

(electronic speed control) (GPMM1800)

❍ Great Planes 8 x 6 Power Flow Slo-Flyer electric

propeller (GPMQ6610, qty. 2)

Radio Equipment

❍ Minimum 3-channel radio control system
❍ Two ES40 Pico micro servos (GPMM1200)
❍ Mini/micro receiver (Futaba® R6004FF – FUTL7624)

Adhesive & Building Supplies

Other than common hobby tools, this is the list of

Adhesives and Building Supplies that were used to finish

the Tiger Moth.

❍ Thin foam-safe CA (HOTR1040)
❍ Medium foam-safe CA (HOTR1050)
❍ CA applicator tips (GPMR6033)
❍ CA accelerator (GPMR6035)
❍ Great Planes Pro Threadlocker (GPMR6060)
❍ #60 to #55 (.040" to .052") [1.0mm to 1.3mm] drill bit
❍ Spare Propeller Saver O-rings (GPMG1405)
❍ Optional: J&Z R/C 56 (or household white glue)
❍ Optional: 3/4" fi ber-reinforced tape (for reinforcing

wings, see page 4)

KIT INSPECTION

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.

Great Planes Ph: [phone], ext. 5
Product Support Fax: [phone]

3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign, IL 61822

E-mail: [e-mail]

KIT CONTENTS

1 Fuselage

1

2

3

8

7

9

4

6

10

12

2 Bottom Wing
3 Top Wing
4 Horizontal Stabilizer (Stab)

5

5 Vertical Stabilizer (Fin)
6 Pilots
7 Cowl

11

8 Main Landing Gear
9 Outer Wing Struts
10 Cabanes
11 Hook and Loop Material
12 Landing Gear Struts

3

ASSEMBLY

Mount the Wings

3. Also cut the skin from both sides of the bottom wing

❏

over the notches f or the outer wing struts. (There is no need
to cut the skin from the slots in the top wing.)

1. If you will be fl ying your Tiger Moth aggressively by

❏

fl ying it outdoors in windy conditions or performing aggressive

aerobatics, or if you will be using servos, batteries or a motor
larger than those recommended, apply two 6" [150mm] strips
of 3/4" [20mm] fi ber-reinforced tape to the bottom of both

wings as shown. (We marked light centerlines on the strips

of tape to make them easier to center.) If you will be fl ying

your Tiger Moth in calm conditions or indoors in a normal,

scale-like manner, no reinforcement is required.

2. Use a sharp hobby knife to cut the skin from the top of

❏

the bottom wing over the holes for the landing gear struts.

4. Cut the C.G. marking template from the back of the

❏

manual. Tape the template to the top of the bottom wing with
the front edges of the template aligned with the leading edge.
Use a small pin or a sharpened pencil to lightly puncture
small dimples through the cross marks in the template
into the wing skin. When balancing the plane later, it will
be suspended with sharpened pencils or pens “keyed” into
the dimples. Note: Should you ever need to re check the
balance in the future but have misplaced your template, the
recommended balance point is 15/16" [23.8mm] from the
leading edge of the bottom wing at the fuselage sides. The
forward balance point is 3/4" [19.1mm] and the aft balance
point is 1-1/8" [28.6mm].

4

5. Test fi t the bottom wing to the fuselage just to see how

❏

it fi ts. Remov e the wing and apply a bead of thick or medium
foam-safe CA to the wing saddle and fi t the wing back into
position. Glue the front and back of the wing to the fuselage
as well.

Top Wing

7. Test fi t the top wing to the cabanes. View the model

❏

from the bottom, making sure the leading edge of the top
wing is parallel with the leading edge of the bottom wing. If
necessary, there should be enough free play in the notches
to rotate the top wing to get it aligned. If y ou need to move the
top wing but cannot, the notches may be slightly enlarged.

8. Once y ou can get the top wing aligned with the bottom

❏

wing, glue it to the cabanes with a small amount of thin,
foam-safe CA—using only a little thin CA will allow it to
harden faster and keep e xcess from running all ov er the rest
of the wing or dripping onto your clothes or workbench!

6. Test fi t the cabanes as shown, making certain they

❏

are all the way down into the “pockets” in the fuselage. View
the top edges of the cabanes to make sure they align with
each other. Mak e any adjustments necessary . Then, glue the
cabanes into position with foam-safe CA.

Refer to this photo for the following two steps.

9. Test fi t the outer struts to the top and bottom wings.

❏

Then, glue the struts to the bottom wings only with a small

amount of thin CA.

10. As when gluing the top wing to the cabanes, view

❏

the model from the bottom. Note the alignment between
the leading edge of the top and bottom wing to see if they
are parallel with each other. If necessary, adjust the top
wing on the struts until the leading edges are parallel. Then,
glue the top wing to the struts with a small amount of thin,
foam-safe CA.

5