Great Planes GPMB1050 User Manual

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you for choosing the Top Speed Tunnel Hull.This boat has been designed for the intermediate
to advanced boater looking for an easy to assemble, yet high performance tunnel hull. The assembly
is quick and easy, with no special tools or modeling skills required. The Top Speed is a fast, high
performance boat that can be adjusted to differing water conditions to perform at its peak potential.

Please read through this instruction manual in its entirety before beginning assembly. It contains
important instructions and war nings concer ning the assembly and use of this model.

Warning! THIS MODEL IS NOT A TOY!

Assembly and operation of this boat must be done by or under the direct supervision of a responsible
adult. If not handled correctly, this model is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm. It is your responsibility
and yours alone to assemble this boat correctly, properly install all R/C components and test and operate it

in a safe and responsible manner.

GPMZ0261 FOR KITS GPMB1050/1055Entire Contents © Copyright 1999

INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

TM

PARTS IDENTIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SAFETY WARNINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

PRECAUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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

TOOLS REQUIRED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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

Assemble the test stand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Install the radio system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Prepare the hull. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Prepare the upper tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Engine installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Fuel tank installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Linkage installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Radio box cover installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

FINISHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Apply the decals and trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

FINAL PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Balancing your model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Operation check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Range check your radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Engine safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Operating procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Operational trimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

RACING FUN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

PARTS ORDERING INFORMATION . . . . . . . back cover

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

1. Hull

2. Radio Box

3. Upper Tunnel

4. Servo Tray

5. Stand Sides

6. Stand Cross Member Large

7. Stand Cross Member Small

8. Fuel Tank

9. Decals

10. Hardware

11. Speed Str ips

10

8

3

5

9

11

4

6

7

6

1

2

Keep in mind that it is impossible f or us to guide you specifically
as to every possible matter that might come up as you
assemble the model. The fun and challenge is to tackle the
problem, using the instructions and photos for resources, as
well as the assistance and advice of fellow modelers and your
local hobby dealer.

The instructions are the basic guide to assembly. Do not alter
or modify the model. Follow the step-by-step instructions
carefully. Read and obey cautions, warnings and directions on
such items as glues, paints and other materials. These are
often TOXIC to the human body in terms of breathing and/or
touch. Be especially cautious of cyanoacrylate glues (also
known as CA glues) that dry almost instantly and bond with
great strength. They require special care since they can be
extremely dangerous if they get into the e yes or on the human
skin. Keep small children and pets away from all building and
finishing materials. Keep your building area safe and clean.

We’ll try to make your boating experience as enjoyable and
“snag-free”as possible.If you find that y our kit has any missing
or defective parts, or if you have any questions about building
or operating this model, please call us at [phone] and
we’ll be glad to help. If you have problems with or questions
about any accessory items not included in the parts list
(batteries, chargers, radios, fuel, starting equipment, etc.)
please contact the hobby supplier that sold you those items.

❏ 2-channel radio system with two (2) servos*.The radio

system you use must be on a “surface only”
frequency. Watertight servos are recommended, but
not required.

*NOTE: It is recommended one of the servos have
at least 65 Oz. In. of torque for use as the steering
servo.

❏ Waterproof bag for receiver, such as the Kyosho

TR-12 waterproof rubber bag (KYOB6055)

❏ Small bottle of CA* glue (GPMR6007)
❏ Rubbing alcohol
❏ Clear tape
❏ Pro thread locking compound (GPMR6060)
❏ Shoe-Goo (DTXC2460)
❏ 6-Minute epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ Weights (GPMQ4485)
❏ Mixing sticks (GPMR8055)

*NOTE: In several places, the instructions call for the use of

“CA glue.” The glue used in the Top Speed instruction
manual is GREAT PLANES PRO®CA+ MEDIUM
(GPMR6007) and is available from y our local hobb y shop).

❏ Electric or hand drill
❏ Drill Bits:1/16" [1.6mm], 5/64" [2mm], 1/8" [ 3mm],

5/32" [ 4mm], 3/16" [ 4.8mm], 1/4" [ 6mm], 7/16" [11mm]

❏ Small screwdrivers (regular and phillips)
❏ Pliers
❏ Sandpaper (180, 320 and 400 grit)
❏ Flat file
❏ Hobby knife
❏ Scissors
❏ Masking tape
❏ Clear tape
❏ Paper towels

TOOLS REQUIRED

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

PRECAUTIONS

WARNING!

This boat is controlled by radio control, which is subject
to possible interference from other R/C transmitters,
paging systems and many other sources of RF or
electrical noise.When operating this boat, allow a “safety
margin” to avoid an accident in the event you experience
a brief loss of control.Before turning your radio on, make
sure no one else in the area is operating a radio on the

same frequency (channel).

WARNING!

Because of the speed and mass of this boat, it is
capable of inflicting property damage and severe
personal injury if a collision occurs. Never run this boat
in the presence of swimmers or where the possibility

of collision with people or property exists.

WARNING!
The engine is very powerful and spins the propeller
with great torque. Read the instructions manual
included with you engine for proper operating

procedures and safety precautions.

SAFETY W ARNINGS

3

NOTE: Notice that the outboard engine protr udes from the

bottom of the hull and is very susceptible to damage.
Therefore, you m ust use care to av oid setting the boat do wn
on any surface.In the following steps you will assemble the
“test stand.” Always keep your boat on this stand when it is
not in the water.

❏ 1. From the two die-cut plywood sheets, remove the

Stand Sides and Cross Members (Large).Save the Servo
Trays from the center of the cross members (L) for use later

in the manual.

❏ 2. From the remaining die-cut plywood sheet, remove the
Cross Member (Small).

❏ 3. Sand the outer edges of all the par ts to remove any
sharps corners.

❏ 4. Slide the two cross members (L) onto the sides as
shown in the photo. Slide the cross member (S) onto the
front of the sides (there is a slight upward curve at the front).

❏ 5. Apply a few drops of medium CA glue to the joints
where the cross members meet the sides. The glue will
penetrate the wood and form a bond within a few minutes.

❏ 6. Once the CA has fully cured, it is suggested to apply a
coat of clear sealer onto the stand. Top Flite®LustreKote

™

Clear (TOPR7200) works extremely well for this purpose.
Applying a coat of clear will prevent water and fuel from
entering the wood, which will weaken the stand prematurely.

❏ 1. Sand the inside and outside edges of the die-cut ply
servo trays using 320-grit sandpaper.Test fit the servo trays
in the radio box, sanding the edges of the trays as
necessary for a good fit.The servo trays rest on the ledges
molded into the Radio Box.

Install the Radio System

Assemble the Test Stand

ASSEMBLY

4

❏ 2. Install the r ubber grommets and brass eyelets in the
servos using the provided sketch.Do not attach the servo to
the tray yet.

❏ 3.T est fit your servos into the openings in the servo trays.
If the openings are too small, enlarge the openings with file
or 180-grit sandpaper until there is a 1/32" [.8mm] gap
around the servo.

❏ 4. Cut four 1/4" x 3/4" servo tray doublers using leftover
plywood from the die-cut sheets.Glue the doublers onto the
servo trays using Medium CA.

❏ 5.Glue the servo trays into the r adio box using Shoe-goo.
Use enough Shoe-goo so it oozes out and slightly onto the
top of the servo tray. The trays are installed so the doubler
is on the bottom of the tray.

❏ 6. Note the direction of the servo output shafts shown in the
photo.While holding the servos in place, mark the locations for
the servo mounting screws onto the tray. Remove the servos
and drill 1/16" [1.6mm] pilot holes through each mark. Mount
the servos with the screws provided with the servos.

❏ 7. Read the instructions included with your radio system
and plug together the receiver, servos, on/off switch and
receiver battery. If your system does not come with a NiCd
receiver battery, install batteries in the battery holder
supplied with your radio system. Switch on the transmitter
and receiver (in that order) and check the operation of your
radio system. Center the trims on the transmitter. Switch off
the receiver and transmitter (in that order) when finished.

❏ 8.Enclose your receiver and receiver battery in waterproof
plastic bags of rubber balloons (the Kyosho TR-12 W aterproof
Rubber Bag (KYOB6055) is an excellent choice). Close the
end of the bag where the wires exit using a twist tie or tape.

5