Top Flite TOPA0145 - Manual (Page 2)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
AND BUILDING SEQUENCE
INTRODUCTION ..................................................3
PRECAUTIONS ...................................................3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE..........................3
Engine selection.............................................3
Retractable landing gear ................................3
Flaps...............................................................4
Propellers .......................................................4
COMPETITION-MINDED MODELERS................4
DOCUMENTATION ..............................................4
POWER ................................................................4
FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS .............................4
OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED.................................5
BUILDING SUPPLIES .........................................5
Glue & Filler ...................................................5
Tools ...............................................................5
DIE-CUT PATTERNS ......................................6&7
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES ........................8
GET READY TO BUILD ......................................8
BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES.............................9
Make the stab skins .......................................9
Build the stabilizer ........................................10
Build the elevators........................................11
Build the fin and rudder................................13
BUILD THE FUSELAGE ...................................15
Frame the fuselage top ................................15
Mount the stab and fin .................................17
Sheet the top of the fuselage.......................18
Build the bottom of the fuselage ..................20
Install the pushrods ......................................21
Install the engine ..........................................23
Retract installation (nose gear) ....................24
BUILD THE WING .............................................25
Build the wing panels ...................................26
Retract installation (main gears) ..................28
Sheet the bottom of the wing .......................29
Installing the aileron servos ........................29
Joining the wing halves................................30
Install the ailerons ........................................31
Build the flaps...............................................31
Sheet the top of the wing .............................33
Fit the wing to the fuselage..........................35
FINISH THE LOWER FUSELAGE ....................36
Nose Gear Steering
Pull-pull system installation (Retracts only) ...36
Canopy installation.......................................38
Cowling installation ......................................38
Mount the receiver and battery ....................39
FINISHING .........................................................39
Prepare the model for covering....................39
Balance the airplane laterally.......................40
Cover your model with MonoKote
® ..............40
Covering sequence ......................................41
Painting ........................................................41
Join the control surfaces ..............................41
FINISHING TOUCHES.......................................42
Decals ..........................................................42
Panel lines....................................................42
GET YOUR MODEL READY TO FLY ...............42
Balance your model .....................................42
Final hookups and checks ...........................43
Control surface throws .................................43
PREFLIGHT .......................................................43
Identify your model.......................................43
Charge your batteries...................................43
Balance your propeller .................................43
Ground check your model............................44
Range check your radio ...............................44
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ...................44
AMA SAFETY CODE ........................................44
FLYING...............................................................45
Takeoff..........................................................45
Flight.............................................................45
Landing.........................................................45
Two-View Drawing.........................Back Cover
Your P-39 Airacobra is not a toy, but a sophisticated
working model that functions very much like an
actual airplane. Because of its realistic performance,
if you do not assemble and operate your P-39
Airacobra correctly, you could possibly injure
yourself or spectators and damage property.
To make your R/C modeling experience totally
enjoyable, get assistance with assembly and your first
flights from an experienced, knowledgeable modeler.
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 Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500
chartered clubs across the country. We recommend
you join the AMA which will insure you at AMA club
sites and events. AMA Membership is required at
chartered club fields where qualified flight instructors
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
(800) 435-9262
Fax (765) 741-0057
or via the Internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org
Your Top Flite Gold Edition P-39 Airacobra is intended
for scale and general sport flying including mild
aerobatics such as loops, stall turns, rolls, etc. Its
structure is designed to withstand such stresses. If you
intend to use your Airacobra for more abusive types of
flying such as racing or aggressive aerobatics it is your
responsibility to reinforce areas of the model that will be
subjected to the resulting unusually high stresses.
PROTECT YOUR MODEL,
YOURSELF & OTHERS
FOLLOW THIS IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTION
2