Hobbico Sturdy Birdy II Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

WARNING! THIS IS NOT A TOY!

Assembly and operation of this aircraft 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 model correctly, properly install all R/C components and to test and operate it in a safe and responsible manner.

ARF1P01

Stock # Description Qty

Al UM007P Aluminum Channel 1 ARF1F01 Plastic Fuselage Tube 1 ARF1P01 Instruction Book 1 ARF1R05 1/64 Plywood Fin

ARF1W02 Plastic Wing Protector 1 EM20481 Engine Mount Left 1 EM2048R Engine Mount Right 1 FWING02L Molded Foam Wing Left 1 FW1NG02R Molded Foam Wing Right 1 L-6U Landing Gear 1 NYLON87 CA Hinge Strip PLTB009 PLTB011 24" Grey Outer Pushrod 2 PLTB012 PLTB013 WIRES 16 Threaded Link Rod 5

ARF1A01 Subpack

ARF1R04 1/4 x 1/2 x 13

ARF1S01 1/4 Balsa

ARF1S02 1/4 Balsa Stabili/er 1 ARF1S03 1/4 Balsa Elevator 1 ARF1W01 1/8 Plywood

ARF1A02 Subpack

ARF1R01 1/4 Balsa Fin Front 1

Loose in Box

Doubler 1

24"

White Inner

11-3/4" 11-3/4"

Inner Pushrod 1 Outer

Pushrod

Stabilizer & Wing Parts

Balsa Fin Doubler 1

Stabili/er Front 1

Wing Joiner 1

Fin & Rudder Parts

Pushrod

PARTS LIST

Stock # Description Qty

ARF1R02 1/4 Balsa Fin 1 ARF1R03 1/4 Balsa Rudder 1

ARF1A03 Subpack ARF1F03 9mm Plywood

ARF1F04 1/4 Plywood Firewall 1 ARF1F05 1/4 Ply

ARF1F06 Pushrod Holder

ARF1S04 1/16 Plywood

DOWEL030 1/4 x3 1/2 Dowel 4

ARF2A04 Subpack

ARF2W03 3/8 Tapered TE 2 ARF2W04 3/8 Tapered Aileron 2

ARF2A05 Subpack

ARF2W05 Grooved Center TE 2 ARF2W06 TE Support 2 ARF2W08 Servo Rails 2 NYLON20 Non threaded Swivel 2 NYLON21 WBNT110L Aileron Torque Rod Left 1 WBNT110R Aileron Torque Rod Right 1

Small Wood Parts

Firewall Doubler 1

Landing Gear Supports 2 (3/4 x 1

/2 x 1 ) 1

Stabili/er Doubler 1

Long Aileron Parts

Small Aileron Parts

Swivel

Clevis

Stock # Description Qty ARF1MOI Subpack Hardware

(Contains the Following) NUTS001 4 40 Blind Nut 6 NUTS002 4 40 Hex Nut 2 NUTS010 6 32 Hex Nut 4 NUTS014 8 32 Hex Nut 2 NYLON03 Nylon Control Horn 2 NYLON 17 Nylon Clevis 3 NYLON52 5 1/2 Nylon Tie 2 SCRW002 2 56 x 5/8 Bolt 4 SCRW010 #4x5/8

Sheet Metal Screw 4 SCRW024 #2 x 3/8

Sheet Metal Screw 8 SCRW052 4 40 x 5/8 Bolt 4 SCRW053 8 32 x I /2 Bolt 2 SCRW055 6 32 x 1 1/2

SH Cap Screw 2

SCRW104 4 40 x 1 1/4

Machine Screw 4 WBNT146 Prebent Tailskid 1 WIRES20 1 Threaded Link Rod 3 WSHR002 #4 Lock Washer 2 WSHR004 #6 Flat Washer 4 WSHR005 #4 Flat Washer 4 WSHR010 #8 Lock Washer 2 WSHR011 #8 Flat Washer 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Parts List.................................................2

Introduction ............................................3

Additional Item Description .....................3

Additional Item Check List.......................4

Tools or Supplies Needed.........................5

Fin & Rudder Construction......................5

Installing CA Hinges ................................6

Stabilizer & Elevator Construction........... 8

Wing Assembly ......................................10

Covering................................................ 14

Installing the Hinges..............................14

Attaching the Control Horns.................. 15

Fuselage Construction........................... 15

Final Assembly ......................................22

Balancing..............................................23

Getting Ready for Flying ........................23

Flying....................................................23

Repairing .................................Back Cover

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the HOBBICO STURDY BIRDY II. THE FIRST

REAL SUPER TRAINER. You now own the

BEST FLYING durable trainer available. By following these instructions as you assemble the model, you will have a great flying plane. It will not only teach you how to fly, but will stick by you while you learn, no matter how long that may take!

The first thing you should do after reading

this paragraph is check the parts in this kit against the parts list to make sure everything is here.

We strongly recommend that you join the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Being an AMA

member entitles you to liability insurance and puts you in touch with your local flying club. It also includes a subscription to MODEL

AVIATION magazine, which has a monthly

listing of the latest news in model aviation.

Insurance is the most important advantage of the AMA membership. If your model hits someone or something, you are liable for any damage it causes.

You can contact the national Academy of

Model Aeronautics, 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. (800) 435-9262

Fax (765) 741-0057

Web Site:

HTTP:

//WWW.

We also recommend that you join your local flying club. There you will find people who can help you learn to fly and teach you the safe ways of handling your aircraft.

MODELAIRCRAFT.

ORG

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

DESCRIPTION

Here is a description of some of the items you will need to assemble your STURDY BIRDY II

GLUES

CA (Cyanoacrylate) glues will be used to glue the wood parts together because they are strong and very fast curing. Do not use CA glues for the wing construction because most CA glues will attack and dissolve the foam wing. They come in different viscosities. Thin CA glue can be used when gluing parts with a good, tight joint. When using thin CA,

assemble the parts first and then add the glue. It will penetrate the joint and cure in a couple of seconds. Thick and medium CAs are applied to the parts before they are assembled since the glue will not cure for 20-30 seconds. This longer curing time gives you more time to get the parts assembled accurately before the glue cures. The thicker consistency also CA accelerator spray can be very handy for speeding up the curing process of the thick CAs.

Epoxy is a two-part adhesive that has to be mixed before it will cure. We will use epoxy glue for the wing assembly since it takes a little longer to cure and does not attack the

foam. Epoxies come in several different types with many different curing times. You should buy some epoxy with a 30-minute curing time for use here.

ENGINE

The STURDY BIRDY II is designed to fly with a standard .20 size 2-stroke engine. The OS

.20 FP is a great, inexpensive engine that provides plenty of power. This combination is ideal for the average beginner. A .25 - .30 size engine can be used if you would like snappier performance, especially at higher elevations where the air is thinner. We recommend that you do not use an engine larger than a .30 as the additional weight makes the plane more difficult to fly at low speeds. The engine mount provided with the STURDY BIRDY II will fit most .20 - .30 engines.

helps

fill

poor fitting

joints.

FUEL TANK

The STURDY BIRDY III was designed to hold a 6 oz. square tank. A 4 oz. tank will also work but will give you shorter flight times.

COVERING

Although not absolutely necessary, the "tail feathers" and the wing should both be covered with a "low heat" type iron on covering. EconoKote^ and Black Baron® Film are both good coverings to use on your STURDY BIRDY II. The covering will not only make your plane look nicer, but it will also add strength and make it last longer.

CHECK LIST OF ADDITIONAL

ITEMS YOU WILL NEED

D .20 -.30 2-Stroke Engine D 4 Channel Radio D 4 Standard Size Servos D Several 9 X 4 or 9 X 6 Propellers D 2-1/2" Wheels (2) D 6 oz. Square Fuel Tank D Box #64 Rubber Bands D Thin CA (Cyanoacrylate) Glue loz. D Thick CA (Cyanoacrylate) Glue loz. D 30-Minute Epoxy 4oz. D Roll of Low Heat Iron-On Covering D Foam Rubber for Cushioning Receiver D 12" Standard Size Fuel Tubing D 3/4" Wide Nylon Reinforced Tape

RADIO

The STURDY BIRDY II requires 4 channels to

fly. The radio system you purchase should have standard size servos so they will fit into

the fuselage channel. Mini or micro servos will also work but they will require some modifications to fit properly. Large servos will

not work in the STURDY BIRDY II.

Questions or Problems?

Hobby Services

Attn: Service Department

1610 Interstate Drive

Champaign, IL 61821-1067

(217)

398-8970

TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED

D Sealing Iron D Razor Saw D Hobby Knife D Pliers D Screwdrivers D T-Pins D Hammer D Wax paper D Sanding Block or Bar Sander D Nylon Reinforced Strapping Tape D Hand or Electric Drill D Drill Bits (3/32", 1/8". 3/16", 5/32", 7/32")

FIN & RUDDER

CONSTRUCTION

glue has cured, flip the pieces over and add a little glue to the other side.

D 3. As shown in the above sketch, cut 18 hinges from the supplied 2" x 9" composite hinge material. You will need five hinges for the elevator and three for the rudder. Each aileron gets three hinges.

D 1. The fin is made up of the three pieces shown above. Locate these three pieces and lay them out.

D 2. Glue the front part of the fin to the main part using thin CA. Assemble the two parts and check to make sure they fit properly. Then apply a line of CA along the joint. When the

D 4. Lay the rudder in place against the trailing edge of the fin. Using a hinge as a template, mark the hinge locations. They are spaced out so that the outer hinges are approximately 1" from the ends of the rudder and the middle hinge is in the center.

D 5. Draw a line down the middle of the

trailing edge of the fin and also down the middle of the leading edge of the rudder. A sheet of wood (or anything) 1/8" thick laid down next to the piece makes it easy to do this. Transfer the hinge locating marks from the side to the edges as shown above

Note: Before proceeding to hinge the rudder. read completely through the section on

Installing CA Hinges. Do not use any glue

until after the tail surfaces are covered.

INSTALLING CA HINGES

The hinge material supplied in this kit

consists of a 3-layer lamination of mylar and polyester. It is specially made for the purpose of hinging model airplane control surfaces. Properly installed, this type of hinge provides the best combination of strength, durability and ease of installation. We trust even our best show models to these hinges, but it is

essential to install them correctly. Please read the following instructions and follow them carefully to obtain the best results. These instructions may be used to effectively install any of the various brands of CA hinges.

The most common mistake made by modelers when installing this type of hinge is not applying a sufficient amount of glue to fully secure the hinge over its entire surface area; or, the hinge slots are very tight, restricting the flow of CA to the back of the hinges. This results in hinges that are only "tack glued" approximately 1/8" to 1/4" into the hinge slots. The following technique has been developed to help ensure thorough and secure gluing.

few times to provide more clearance (it is really the back edge of the blade that does the work here in widening the slot).

CAUTION: Do not drill this hole when hinging a foam wing, as this hole would allow too much CA to penetrate and cause damage to the foam.

B. Drill a 3/32" hole, 1/2" deep. in the center of the hinge slot. If you use a Dremel

MultiPro for this task, it will result in a cleaner hole than if you use a slower speed power or hand drill. Drilling the hole will twist some of the wood fibers into the slot, making it difficult to insert the hinge, so you should reinsert the knife blade, working it back and forth a few times to clean out the slot.

A. Cut the hinge slot using a # 11 blade in a standard #1 knife handle. The slots should be about 3/4" deep. The CA hinges provided have a thickness that fits this type of slot very well. Cut off the corners of the hinge at a 45 degree angle and trial fit the hinge into the slot. If the hinge does not slide in easily, work the knife blade back and forth in the slot a

C. Insert the hinges and install the control surface. Verify the left-right positioning of the control surface and close up the hinge gap to

1/32" or less. It is best to leave a very slight hinge gap, rather than closing it up tight, to help prevent the CA from wicking along the hinge line. If you have cut your hinge slots too

deep, the hinges may slide in too far. leaving only a small portion of the hinge in the control surface. To avoid this, you may insert a small

pin through the center of each hinge, before installing. This pin will keep the hinge centered while installing the control surface. Note: When hinging the ailerons, which use torque rods, use a toothpick to force epoxy down the hole drilled for the torque rod. In the case of the rudder, be sure not to let glue get into the bearing tube.

D 6. Trial fit the fin and rudder together using the hinges to check for proper alignment. Do Not glue the hinges in place yet! Sand the rudder and/or fin so they match each other at the top.

D 7. Remove the hinges from the rudder and bevel the leading edge with your sanding block as shown in the sketch. This is to allow the rudder to swing either direction once

EDGE VIEW

the hinges are glued in place.

above. Use a razor saw to cut the excess off at the leading and trailing edges.

D 9. Check the fit of the fin assembly into the aluminum channel. It will most likely be

a little loose and we want a nice, tight fit. Add a strip of the 1/64" plywood doubler to ONE side of the fin. Glue it to the balsa doubler. Check the fit again and if it is still a little loose, add a plywood doubler to the other side. If necessary, you can sand the plywood slightly to help the assembly fit. Also, you can have the covering material continue down over the doublers if you need the additional thickness.

D 8. Add the 1/4" x 1/2" balsa doubler to each side of the fin as shown in the photo

D 10. Position the fin assembly in the channel with the trailing edge of the fin even with the end of the channel. Press it in place. Mark the

location of the stabilizer bolt holes on the bottom of the fin and then remove the fin from

the channel.

D 11. Wrap a piece of masking tape around a 7/32" drill bit about 1/2" from the end of the

bit.

D 12. Drill two holes in the bottom of the fin assembly to make a space for the stabilizer bolts. Be careful not to drill any deeper than the masking tape or you may drill through the side of the fin.

STABILIZER

& ELEVATOR

CONSTRUCTION

D 14. The stabilizer and elevator are

assembled from these three main pieces.

Locate these and let's get started.

D 15. Glue the front of the stabilizer to the back using thin CA just as you did for the fin in step #2.

D 13. Use a sanding block to round the edges of the fin/rudder assembly as shown above. Give the sides a quick sanding with some fine sandpaper to get them ready for the covering.

This completes the basic assembly of the fin

and rudder. The hinges and control horn will be installed after everything is covered.

D 16. Mark the hinge locations using the same technique you used in step #4. There are five hinges used here. The outer hinges are

+ 16 hidden pages

Hobbico Sturdy Birdy II Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual