Twisted Hobbys Puddle Star User Manual
Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a
page 1
USA Distributor
Twisted Hobbys
www.twistedhobbys.com
MOTOR: 2x 19-26g/1450-1750 Outrunner
ESC: 2x 10-12 amp
SERVOS: 4x 5-7g
PROP: 2x 7x3.5dd or 7x6sf
BATTERY: 3s / 650-850mAh
RADIO: min. 4 channel
WINGSPAN: 39”
LENGTH: 39”
AUW: 390 to 420 grams
PPUUD
D
D
DLLEE
SSTTAAR
R
Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a
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SAFETY NOTES
Before assembling and flying this model, read carefully any instructions and warnings of other
manufacturers for all the products you installed or used on your model, especially radio
equipment and power source.
Check thoroughly before every flight that the airplanes’ components are in good shape and
functioning properly. If you find a fault do not fly the model until you have corrected the
problem.
Radio interference caused by unknown sources can occur at any time without notice. In such a
case, your model will be uncontrollable and completely unpredictable. Make sure to perform a
range check before every flight. If you detect a control problem or interference during a flight,
immediately land the model to prevent a potential accident.
Youngsters should only be allowed to assemble and fly these models under the instruction and
supervision of an experienced adult.
Do not operate this model in a confined area.
Do not stand in line with, or in front of a spinning propeller and never touch it with any object.
IMPORTANT: PRIOR TO ANY ASSEMBLY
Please Note: after removing kit from shipping box, lay each piece flat on a
hard surface, this will allow the airframe to straighten out if lightly bent
from shipping. Do not worry since EPP is very pliable and can be bent back
if out of shape.
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TWISTED HOBBYS
Website: www.twistedhobbys.com – email: sales@twistedhobbys.com
Thank you for your purchasing a Twisted Hobbys‘ model. Please read through the entire manual before beginning to
build this model. If you have any questions please contact us at the above indicated email address.
WARNING INFORMATION
This R/C Aircraft is not a toy! Read and understand the entire manual before assembly. If misused, it c an cause serious bodily harm and
property damage. Fly only in open areas, and AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) approve d flying sites. Do not over look the warnings
and instructions enclosed or those provided by other manufactures’ products. If you are not an experienced pilot and airplane modeler you
must use the help of an experienced pilot or an authorized flight instructor for the building and flying of this model aircraft.
These instructions are suggestions only on how to assemble this model. There are other ways and methods to d o so. Twisted Hobbys has
no c ontrol over the final assembly, the materials and accessories used when assembling this kit, or the m anner in which the assembled
model, installed radio gear and electronic p arts are used and maintained. Thus, no liability is assumed or accepted for any d amage
resulting from the use of th e assemb led model aircraft or from this instruction manual including but not limited to direct, indirect,
incidental, special, and consequential damages. By the act of using this user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability. In
no event shall Twisted Hobbys’ liability exceed the original purchase price of the kit.
SHIPPING DAMAGE
Twisted Hobbys checks each plane before shipping to ensure that each kit is in fine condition. We have no bearing on the condition of any
component parts damaged by use, modification, or assembly of the mod el. Inspect the components of this kit upon receipt. If you find any
parts damaged or missing, contact Twis ted Hobbys immediately. We will not accept the return or replacement of parts on which assembly
work has already begun. Twis ted Hobbys reserves the right to change this warranty at anytime without notice.
OUR MISSION
To provide the best products and service to our customers at the lowest prices pos sible. We take great pride in
our company, our commitment to customer service and in the products we sell. Our online store is designed
to provide you with a safe and secure environment to browse our product catalog.
Thank you for shopping with Twisted Hobbys!
Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a
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kit contents
Fuselage Parts
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. Note - Some
kits might have slight deviations from
the above pictured items.
Wings, SFG’s and Tail Surfaces
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. Note - Some
kits might have slight deviations from
the above pictured items.
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kit contents (cont.)
Hardware Kit Detail
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. Note - Some
kits might have slight deviations from
the above pictured items.
Plywood and Hardware Kits
Double check that you have all the
above pictured items. The Hardware
kit items are detailed to the right.
Note - Some kits might have slight
deviations from the above pictured
items.
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TOOL AND ADHESIVES NEEDED
Tools shown and listed are suggestions only.
Depending on your building technique you may not
need everything indicated – and/or – you may find that
other tools available to yourself may be of benefit to
your Build.
It is also recommended that you have a flat building
surface, one that will accept stick pins and push pins.
An Acrostic Ceiling panel from your local hardware
store fits this bill nicely, and will lay flat on your work
table. Over size / long push pins are available at your
local craft store. These two items are by no means
required, but will aid in the building process, and can
be used for future projects
Lighter
Small Drill Bits
Tape Measure and Ruler
Black Sewing Thread
Welders Glue
Hobby Knife w/new Blade
Needle Nose Pliers
Wire Cutters
Low Temp Hot Glue Gun
Course Sand Paper
Scissors
Small Phillips Screw Driver
Thin and Medium CA
CA Applicator Tips
Activator
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the build
CONSTRUCTION METHODS:
Building surface should be at least 2ft x 4ft and at. Weights or some small heavy objects will be handy for holding things in place
during the time glue is setting.
Welders glue is used for FOAM TO FOAM joints. Thin and Medium CA are used on the PLASTIC TO FOAM and CARBON TO FOAM
joints. When using the Welders glue for a butt joint, apply a thin lm to each surface, allow to sit for approx ve minutes and
then assemble. Note that this method will create a nearly instant bond, so locate carefully when bringing the two pieces together. If
alignment is necessary or a slip joint, do not allow the glue to tack up, simple apply and join immediately, you will have several
minutes to locate the two parts before the glue sets up. In most cases the parts being glued can be handled with care in 30 minutes,
full cure is approx 24 hours.
The above picture items will be needed to nish the model.
A power combo (Twisted Hobbys’ Combo pictured above), a
3s/650-850mAh battery and a fresh tube of Welders. Note -
the Battery and Welders are NOT part of the power combo.
Start the build by locating the two wing halves, the elevator
and the rudder. Fold back as shown and weigh them down
for about an hour. This will loosen up the hinge line and
allow the surfaces to move much more freely. The wing
hinge will be stiff... work it slowly so it doesn’t tear
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Locate the wood kit and mount a fresh
blade into you hobby knife.
Cut out the Fuselage Doublers, the
Wing Mount Cross Members and the
little round Magnet Holders. Also locate
the magnets from the hardware bag.
Press a magnet into the Wood Holder
(the one with the larger hole). Make
ush with one side. Glue with Med. CA
and Kicker.
The magnet assembly installs with the
smaller hole to the OUTSIDE of the
fuselage.
Repeat for the second side.
With thin CA, attach the round piece
with the smaller hole to the side you
made the magnet ush with.
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Coat the inside of the magnet hole in
the fuselage with a little Welders.
Install as shown, again remembering
that the smaller hole is facing out.
Press into the hole... should be ush to
both the inside and outside of the foam
fuselage piece.
Repeat for the other side.
Wipe away any extra Welders
LEVEL OF WATER PROOFING
At this point in the build you
should decide what level of water
proong you will do. If you plan to
spend a fair amount of time ying
off water, a more robust
“waterproong” (waterbug) build
would be in order. The occasional
water use... 2 or 3 times a season,
the standard (grasshopper) build
would be sufcient. If you never
intend to y off the water, omit all
the build steps that install lm or
require water proong. The only
thing you will want to do is coat the
bottom of the fuselage with some
clear duct tape or similar tape.
Rev: 2015.08.16.v01a
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Waterbug Build Only - Locate the
pieces shown, these are the items that
will get the laminate. Skip all the steps
labeled “Waterbug” if only occasionally
ying off the water.
Waterbug Build Only - cut a piece of
1.5mil heat laminate material that will
cover the bottom of the elevator
Waterbug Build Only - The laminate
material will shrink like monokote and
will bow the foam if not careful. Only
the bottom of the elevator needs it.
Start in the middle and work outward
Waterbug Build Only - ON A TEST
PIECE OF FOAM, IRON ON A SMALL
PIECE OF THE LAMINATE (DULL SIDE
IS THE STICKY SIDE) AND
EXPERIMENT WITH TEMPERTURES
Waterbug Build Only - Cut one piece
each for the fuselage sides
LAMINATING BUILD TIPS
There are many different thickness
and brands of laminate material
out there. You should use a
laminate that has a low heat
activated glue. As an extra step to
insure a robust bond of the
laminate to the foam, 3M 77
Contact Spray glue can be used to
“dust” the area in which you will
apply the laminate to. Note, it does
not take a lot, a quick single pass
at 10 to 12 inches is plenty, more
is not better in this case. Also, it is
advised to TEST your procedure
and iron tempatures on a scrap
piece of foam and not your model.
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Waterbug Build Only - Once you are
happy with the lm application, Trim
around the perimeter of the elevator,
and cut away the area for the hinge
bevel. A fresh blade should be used.
Waterbug Build Only - Once everything
is trimmed up, seal all the edges.
Waterbug Build Only - Repeat the
process with the outside surface of the
two fuselage pieces. Again, starting
from the center and SLOWLY working
towards the tail and nose
Lay down a small bead of Welders all
around the foam doubler.
Locate the foam and plywood fuselage
doublers as pictured above.
Waterbug Build Only - When complete,
trim as with the elevator. NOTE - Do
not cut the lm away from the notches.
Leaving them will provide covering for
the mating tabs later in the build
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Spread the glue out evenly so that it
coats the whole surface. Use an old
business card or something as a
spreader.
Attach to the inside of the fueslage.
NOTE - it is VERY important to line up
all the notches and edges of the two
pieces.
The foam doubler will curl up a little as
the Welders dries, so secure everything
at with some weight for an hour or
two.
Apply a medium coat of Welders to one
side. You can use the tip of the tube to
evenly distribute the glue. And as with
the foam doubler, make sure the inside
edges line up where intended.
Locate the wood fuselage doubler. Now
is also a good time to verify that your
servos t into the cutouts. If not, le
the wood doubler a little until they t.
Repeat for the other side, again, use
some weights to keep it all at while
drying.
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Repeat for the other side and put all the
weights back until everything has had
time to dry.
Locate the parts shown above.
Attach them and cut off the extra
length of the screws so they are ush
Start with the pieces shown above. This
will assemble into the Battery Box.
Locate all the internal bulkheads and
separate them into their individual
pieces.
Add a drop of thin CA from this side
and hit with Kicker. This will keep the
screws from backing out over time.
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Note the orientation of the parts, Tabs
are keyed, but in some cases there is
more than one way to put these
together. Note the location of the little
hole on the piece to the right.
This piece installs as shown. again
notice the little hole.
Once you get it all together and you are
happy with the t up, re-assemble with
Welders.
DRY FIT - Notice the orientation of the
front bulkhead, the battery box and the
forward wing mount cross member.
DRY FIT - all the bulkheads to one side
of the fuselage as shown.
After the main fuselage pieces have had
time to dry, locate all the parts as
shown and notice how they are all laid
out, this will be the general position in
the fuselage.
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DRY FIT - Notice the orientations of the
rear wing mount cross member and
bulkheads shown.
DRY FIT - the main rear bulkhead.
DRY FIT - the tail section bulkhead.
DRY FIT - Close up of the front wing
mount cross member installed.
DRY FIT - looking down from the top,
everything should be pretty square as
assembled if all the tabs and slots have
mated up properly.
DRY FIT - the other side of the fuselage.
Start from the tail and work all the tabs
and notches so that they are all
engaged and fully seated.
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DRY FIT - close up of the rear wing
mount cross member installed.
DRY FIT - Close up of the tail section.
DRY FIT - Locate the belly parts shown.
DRY FIT - the upper nose cover.DRY FIT - the bottom front section.
DRY FIT - the belly pieces into their
location. If everything is assembled
correctly up to this point there should
be no trimming needed.
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