GREAT PLANES Super Sportster 40 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. 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 user­assembled 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.

While this kit has been flight tested to exceed normal use, if the plane will be used for extremely high stress flying, the modeler is
responsible for taking steps to reinforce the high stress points.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE
STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS
IMPORTANT WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS
CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF
THIS MODEL.

GPMZ0218 for GPMA1040 V1.0© Copyright 2000

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61803 [phone]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wing Span - 55.5 in
Wing Area - 550 sq in
Weight - 5.5 lbs
Wing Loading - 23 oz/sq ft
Fuse Length - 46-3/4 in

A.R.F.

Almost Ready to Fly

Important Safety Precautions .........................................2

Introduction ......................................................................2

Precautions.......................................................................2

Decisions You Must Make ...............................................3

Engine Selection..........................................................3

Preparations......................................................................3

Required Accessories ..................................................3

Building Supplies and Tools.........................................3

Optional Supplies and Tools ........................................3

General Inspection.......................................................4

Building Notes..............................................................4

Metric Conversions ......................................................4

Inch/Metric Ruler..........................................................4

Parts List......................................................................5

Begin Construction ..........................................................6

Wing Assembly ............................................................6

Wing Installation...........................................................8

Tail Installation .............................................................8

Fuel Tank Installation .................................................10

Engine Installation......................................................11

Landing Gear Installation...........................................12

Tail Gear Installation ..................................................13

Radio Installation .......................................................14

Battery & Receiver Installation ..................................16

Radio System Set-up.................................................16

Balance Your Model...................................................17

Balance Your Model Laterally ....................................17

Preparing To Fly Your Super Sportster ARF................18

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

Balance the Propeller ................................................18

Find a Safe Place to Fly ............................................18

Ground Check the Model...........................................18

Range Check Your Radio ..........................................18

Engine Safety Precautions ........................................18

AMA Safety Code (excerpt) ...........................................19

General ......................................................................19

Radio Control.............................................................19

Flying Your Super Sportster ARF .................................19

Takeoff .......................................................................19

Flying .........................................................................19

Landing ......................................................................19

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

Your Super Sportster ARF is not a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much like a
full-size airplane. Because of its realistic performance, the
Super Sportster ARF, 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 from an instructor with assembly and during your first

flights. You’ll learn faster and avoid 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 available. Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free
phone number below:

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

The Great Planes Super Sportster ARF is an easy to fly
sport scale airplane that closely resembles the full-size
Super Sportster both in appearance and performance. The
Super Sportster ARF is very stable and predictable, allowing
even novice skill level pilots to enjoy it.

Because of its docile flight characteristics, this airplane
could be used as a first airplane for learning to fly, but only
with the assistance and close supervision of a competent
instructor. This airplane lacks the self-recovery
characteristics of a true “basic trainer” such as the Great
Planes PT™series, which is the model of choice for learning
to fly.

1. 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.

2. Take time to align the components 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 assembly process.

4. You must properly install the R/C radio system and other
components so that the model operates properly on the
ground and in the air.

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

PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THIS

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION

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 assembling or flying this
airplane, please call us at [phone]. If you are
calling for replacement parts, please reference the part
names and numbers on page 5 and have them ready
when calling.

We can also be reached by e-mail at:

[e-mail]

Items in parentheses such as (GPMQ4243) are suggested
part numbers recognized by distributors and hobby shops
and are listed for your ordering convenience. GPM is the
Great Planes brand, TOP is the Top Flite®brand, and HCA
is the Hobbico®brand.

❏ Four-Channel Radio w/Four Servos
❏ One 6" Servo Extensions For Aileron Servos
❏ Engine – See Engine Selection
❏ Spare Glow Plugs (O.S. #8 For Most 2-Stroke

Engines–OSMG2691, or O.S. Type F for most
4-stroke engines–OSMG2692)

❏ Propeller (Top Flite Power Point

®

– Refer To Your

Engine’s Instructions For Proper Size)

❏ 3' Medium 3/32" Fuel Tubing (GPMQ4131)
❏ 1/4" Latex Foam Rubber Padding (HCAQ1000)

These are the building tools that are required. We
recommend Great Planes Pro™CA and Epoxy glue.

❏ 2 oz. Pro CA (Thin, GPMR6003)
❏ 2 oz. Pro CA+ (Medium, GPMR6009)
❏ CA Accelerator (GPMR6035)
❏ 6-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ 30-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ #1 Hobby Knife Handle (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 Blades (HCAR0311, 100 Qty)
❏ Builders Triangle Set (HCAR0480)
❏ Masking Tape (TOPR8018)
❏ Electric Power Drill
❏ Slip-Joint & Needle Nose Pliers
❏ Monofilament String For Stabilizer Alignment
❏ Screwdrivers (Flat Blade & Phillips)
❏ Pro Thread Locking Compound (GPMR6060)
❏ Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)
❏ Drill Bits: 1/16" [1.5mm], 5/64" [2mm], 3/32" [2.5mm],

3/16" [5mm], 7/32" [5.5mm], 1/4" [6mm], #29

❏ Top Flite Trim Seal Tool

™

(TOPR2200)

❏ Panel Line Pen (TOPQ2510)
❏ Sandpaper (80, 220 & 320-grit)
❏ Metal File
❏ Paper Towels
❏ T-Pins (HCAR5100)
❏ Razor Saw
❏ Petroleum Jelly

❏ CA Applicator Tips (HCAR3780)
❏ Epoxy Brushes (GPMR8060)
❏ Epoxy Mixing Sticks (GPMR8055, Qty. 50)
❏ CA Debonder (GPMR6039)
❏ Dremel

®

Moto-Tool™or Similar w/Cut-Off Wheel

❏ Hot Sock

™

(TOPR2175)

❏ Switch and Charge Jack (GPMM1000)
❏ Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)
❏ 6 oz. Segmented Lead Weight (GPMQ4485)
❏ C.G. Machine

™

(GPMR2400)

❏ Power Point

®

Balancer (TOPQ5700)

❏ Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000)
❏ Accu-Throw

™

Deflection Gauge (GPMR2504)

Optional Supplies & Tools

Building Supplies & Tools

Required Accessories

PREPARATIONS

Engine Selection

There are several engines that will work well in your Super
Sportster ARF. We recommend a mild 2-stroke such as an

O.S.

®

.40FX or SuperTigre®G40. If you prefer a 4-stroke, an

O.S. FS-52 is an ideal choice. Your choice of 2-stroke or

4-stroke will determine the location of the throttle servo and
throttle pushrod exit on the firewall, so plan ahead.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

Note: We, as the manufacturer, provide you with a top
quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the quality of
your finished model depends on how you assemble 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

Eliminate any wrinkles you find in the covering by shrinking
them away with a low temperature setting on a heat gun,
then apply pressure to the area with a covering iron and a
hot sock. This will securely bond the covering to the wood
so the wrinkles will be less likely to reappear in the future.

Several times during construction we refer to the “top” or
“bottom” of the model or a part of the model. It is understood
that the “top” or “bottom” of the model is as it would be when
the airplane is right side up and will be referred to as the
“top” even if the model is being worked on upside-down.

Building NotesGeneral Inspection

4

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

Metric Conversions

Inch Scale

0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180

Metric Scale

5

Key# Description Qty

1 Fuselage 1
2 Left Wing Panel w/Aileron 1
3 Right Wing Panel w/Aileron 1
4 Cowl 1
5 Adjustable Engine Mount 1
6 Fuel Tank 1
7 Canopy 1
8 Left & Right Wheel Pant Halves 1
9 Spinner 1
10 Landing Gear 2
11 Main Wheels 2
12 Stabilizer & Elevator Assembly 1
13 Tail Wheel 1
14 Rudder & Vertical Fin 1
15 Wing Joiner 1
16 Tail Wheel Wire 1
17 Aileron Servo Tray 1
* Pushrods 3
* Hardware Bag 1

* – Shown but not numbered

Replacement Parts

If needed, replacement parts for Super Sportster ARF are
available through your hobby supplier.

Wing Set .......................................................GPMA2125

Fuselage Kit..................................................GPMA2126

Tail Fin Set ....................................................GPMA2127

Canopy..........................................................GPMA2124

Cowl ..............................................................GPMA2129

Landing Gear Set..........................................GPMA2128

Wheel Pants..................................................GPMA2123

Parts List

2

3

1

4

10

10

14

12

15

8

6

9

13

16

11

11

Hardware

Pushrods

17

5

7

❏ 1. Draw a centerline on both sides of the wing joiner

as shown.

❏ ❏ 2. Test fit the wing joiner in both wing panels by

sliding
the joiner into the joiner cavity in the wing. The joiner must
slide in with little resistance up to the centerline drawn on
the joiner. Lightly sand the joiner edges, sides or ends if the
joiner will not fit in the cavity. Caution: A snug fit of the

joiner in the joiner cavity is desired. Do not sand the
joiner excessively.

❏ 3. Test fit the wing panels together with the joiner in

position. They must fit flush against each other without any
gaps. If the panels will not fit together tightly, lightly sand the
joiner edges, sides or ends. Caution: The wing panels

should fit together without any gaps.

Note: When performing the following steps, be sure to use
a sufficient amount of epoxy to form a complete and solid
bond between the wing joiner and the wing halves. This is

the most important glue joint in the entire airplane.

Please read the following three steps before mixing any
epoxy. You must complete these steps within 20
minutes from the time you mix the epoxy.

❏ 4. Mix 1/2 oz. [14ml] of 30-minute epoxy. Use a mixing

stick or epoxy brush to apply epoxy to all four sides of the
joiner cavity. Coat all surfaces of one half of the wing joiner
with 30-minute epoxy and place it in its corresponding joiner
cavity. Insert the joiner into the cavity up to the centerline
marked on the wing joiner. Be sure you are installing the
joiner to obtain the correct direction for the dihedral. Quickly
proceed to the next step.

❏ 5. Apply epoxy inside the joiner cavity of the remaining

wing panel. Next, coat the wing root ribs on both panels.
Coat the other half of the joiner with 30-minute epoxy and
join the other wing. Quickly proceed to the next step.

Wing Assembly

BEGIN CONSTRUCTION

6