Top Flite TOPA0970 - Manual (Page 2)

2
INTRODUCTION
TopFlite is well known for the quality and scale detail
provided with our kits. Now you can have that same
quality and detail in an ARF that can be completed in
as little as 15-20 hours! Beautifully covered in TopFlite
MonoKote
® with expertly painted fi berglass parts, the
P-40 Warhawk will surely be the focus of attention
at the fl ying fi eld. In addition, the P-40 includes
economical fi xed landing gear, but is designed so that
the optional pneumatic retract set made specifi cally
for TopFlite warbirds is a drop in installation.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections
to the P-40 Warhawk ARF visit the Top Flite web site
at www.top-fl ite.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then
select the P-40 Warhawk 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.
AMA
We urge you to join the AMA (Academy of Model
Aeronautics) and a local R/C club. The AMA is the
governing body of model aviation and membership is
required to fl y at AMA clubs. Though joining the AMA
provides many benefi ts, one of the primary reasons
to join is liability protection. Coverage is not limited to
fl ying at contests or on the club fi eld. It even applies to
fl ying at public demonstrations and air shows. Failure
to comply with the Safety Code (excerpts printed in the
back of the manual) may endanger insurance coverage.
Additionally, training programs and instructors are
available at AMA club sites to help you get started the
right way. There are over 2,500 AMA chartered clubs
across the country. Contact the AMA at the address or
toll-free phone number below:
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252
Ph. (800) 435-9262 Or via the Internet at:
Fax (765) 741-0057 http://www.modelaircraft.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
AMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Building Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Radio
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Landing Gear Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Scale Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Hardware and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
KIT INSPECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . 5
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
KIT CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ASSEMBLE THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Hinge the Ailerons & Flaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Mount the Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Install the Aileron and Flap Pushrods . . . . . . . . 11
Finish the Wing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Optional Pneumatic Retract Installation . . . . . . . 14
ASSEMBLE THE TAIL SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
INSTALL THE ENGINE AND FUEL TANK . . . . . . . 18
INSTALL THE RADIO SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
FINISH THE MODEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Install the Cowl and Spinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Install the Cockpit Kit and Canopy . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Optional Pneumatic Retract
Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
APPLY THE DECALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Balance the Model Laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Ground Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Fuel Mixture Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31