With Retracts and Scale 4-Bladed Prop

Assembly InstructIons

SpecificationS:

Wingspan:

Length:

Wing Area:

Weight (inc. battery):

41 in. (1040mm)

35 in. (890mm)

258 in². (16.65dm²)

27 oz. (760g)

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contents

Vital safety info ............................................................... 2

About the flying area required ...................................... 2 training, crashes & spares ............................................ 2

Guarantee/warranty ........................................................ 2

History of the P-47 ........................................................... 3

Kit contents ....................................................................... 3 lithium polymer battery safety ..................................... 4 lithium polymer flight battery ....................................... 4

Charging the flight battery .......................................... 5

Assembling the P-47 ....................................................... 6

Assembling the propeller ............................................ 10 switch on the transmitter ............................................ 11 transmitter layout .......................................................... 12

Mode II transmitter layout ........................................ 12

Mode I transmitter layout ......................................... 12

Pairing the esc and transmitter .................................. 12 control checks ............................................................... 13

Preflight checks ............................................................. 14

Flying................................................................................ 15

Take-off ........................................................................ 15

Landing ........................................................................ 15

Vital safety info

cAutIon! the P-47 thunderbolt is not a toy.

It can cause injury to persons/animals and/or property if not used correctly. It is unsuitable for persons under the age of 14. you should take care and observe the principles of safety when flying this model. In the uK, we recommend you observe the british model Flying

Association (bmFA) safety code at all times, which can be found at the following address: http://www.bfma.org

In Australasia, please contact your hobby supplier.

you Assume All rIsK.

before beginning construction, please read this document thoroughly and familiarize yourself with the construction sequence of the P-47 thunderolt. If any information in this manual is unclear, please contact your supplier for help. After reading this manual store it in a safe place for future reference. this is a kit for intermediate and advanced flyers, basic rc flying knowledge and skills are required.

weee disposal

Do not dispose of this product with other household waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local council, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

about the flying area required

If you are a newcomer to R/C flight and have never flown a radio control model before; it is vital you seek advice from an experienced model pilot on where and how to fly.

Only fly in large open spaces that are approved for R/C model flying and that are away from people, animals, buildings, power lines, water or trees.

Only fly in bright sunny conditions where wind speed does not exceed 5mph.

training, crashes & spares

The P-47 Thunderbolt has been designed to be strong and very easy to repair, however, it is not invulnerable and most people will break parts during their flying career.

This is quite normal. All parts are available as spares from your supplier. Crash damage is not covered by warranty.

important notice

This manual is supplied with all versions of the P-47

Thunderbolt. Please note that any reference in this manaul to the Transmitter, Receiver, Charger and Power supply are not applicable to the P-47 Thunderbolt version supplied without TX/RX, Charger and Power supply.

guarantee/warranty

J. Perkins Distribution Ltd and Model Engines (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. guarantee this product to be free of manufacturing and assembly defects for a period of one year from time of purchase. This does not affect your statutory rights. This warranty is not valid for any damage or subsequent damage arising as a result of a crash, misuse, modification or for damage or consequential damage arising as a result of failure to observe the procedures outlined in this manual. Operation of this model is carried out entirely at the risk of the operator. Please note that, whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of instructions and material included with this product, mistakes can occur and neither J. Perkins Distribution Ltd/Model Engines (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. nor it’s distributors will be held liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this model or for any loss or damage arising from omissions or inaccuracies in the associated instructions or materials included with this product.

We reserve the right to modify the design of this product, contents and manuals without prior notification.

© 2009 J Perkins Distribution Ltd, Lenham, Kent, UK ME17 2DL. www.jperkinsdistribution.co.uk

Model Engines (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., Noble Park, Victoria 3174, Australia. www.modelengines.com.au.

All rights reserved. E&OE.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

history of the p-47

The P-47 was the heaviest US single-engine fighter of WWII and was built in greater quantities than any other. More than half a million combat sorties were flown in P-47’s between the years of 1943 and the end of the war in 1945. One of the first true multi-role fighters, the Jug was a fighter, bomber, dive-bomber and ground attack aircraft. The P-47 was also the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph.

Kit contents

contentS LiSt

 2.4 GHz Transmitter and Receiver (Only included in RTF complete set)

 Fuselage

 Main Wing w/Carbon Wing Rod

 Horizontal Tail

 Fin and Rudder

 Retractable Landing Gear, Wheels and Gear Doors (pre-installed)

 Outrunner Brushless Motor 1050Kv (pre-installed)

 25A ESC (pre-installed)

 3-Cell 11.1V 1650mAh Li-poly Battery

 Li-poly Balance Charger for 2-3 Cells (Only included in RTF complete set)

 4-9 gram Servos and 1-18 gram Servo (pre-installed)

 Scale 4-Bladed Propeller

 Steerable Tail Wheel (pre-installed)

 Mains power supply (Only included in RTF complete set) additionaL itemS RequiRed

 8 x AA Transmitter batteries

 5-minute Epoxy Glue

 Small Phillips screwdriver

 Hobby Knife

 NB. If purchasing the RTF version excluding TX/RX/Charger/Power supply you will need to purchase these separately

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual 3

lithium polymer battery safety

BefoRe chaRging Li-po’S

 Before charging your battery check for any damage e.g. check if the battery has expanded or swollen in size or if the battery cells have been punctured. If any of the above is true: DO NOT CHARGE THE BATTERY!

chaRging Li-po’S

 Only use a charger designed to charge Lithium polymer batteries. Never use a nicad or other charger as this is very dangerous.

 Never attempt to charge at a rate faster than that recommended in the instructions. Check that the battery cell count matches the charger cell count switch (if fitted).

 Never charge unattended. Always stay with your battery whilst charging in case of overheating or fire.

 Charge on a safe surface or container (e.g. old unused microwave oven). Charge only on non-flammable surfaces, e.g. concrete floor preferably outdoors, or in a pyrex cooking dish with the battery placed on a bed of sand, or in a fireplace. Never charge inside a car!

 Switch off charger if battery gets too hot. If the battery becomes hot to the touch during charging, disconnect and switch off immediately.

 Extinguish fires with sand. If something goes wrong and your battery catches fire, always have sand from a fire bucket at hand to douse the flames. Do NOT use water!

uSing Li-po’S

 Do not modify/change any part of the battery or lead. Do not remove its heat shrink protective covering.

Removal or modification may damage the battery and will invalidate any warranty claim.

 Do not place this battery near fires or anything with high temperatures.

 Do not charge batteries while you are driving and do not store batteries in any type of motor vehicle.

 Do not let the battery get wet or become submerged in any type of liquid.

 Do not carry loose batteries in your pocket or bag as they could short-circuit against other items.

 If you should get electrolyte from the cells on your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water. If in your eyes, rinse thoroughly with water. Seek medical assistance.

lithium polymer flight battery

Charging lead only

The LiPo flight battery is a high power battery designed to give a flight time of approximately 10mins per charge. It is supplied in a partially charged state.

As well as a red deans style conector lead (for connection to the ESC) the battery is also fitted with a white 3-pin polarised connector. This is the charge lead. Connect this white plug to the 12V charger. Always leave the battery in a partially charged state. Never leave it in a discharged state.

The battery should be charged if you notice the model losing power. At this point land and recharge the battery.

Do not be tempted to run the battery past this stage as you will be over-discharging and the battery may be damaged.

WArnInG!

We recommend that you use only the supplied escale charger with this battery.

WArnInG!

over-discharging will shorten the life of the battery or destroy it. stop flying immediately you notice the model is losing power and recharge the battery.

WArnInG!

Do not short circuit—battery may explode!

IF you HAVe not Done so AlreADy PleAse reAD tHe lItHIum Polymer bAttery sAFety InstructIons

AboVe beFore ProceeDInG Any FurtHer.

4 P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

chaRging the fLight BatteRy

Mains power supply

(only included in RTF complete set)

12V Charger

(Only included in RTF complete set)

LiPo Battery

The charger is designed to automatically charge the LiPo battery in about an hour from a discharged state. The 12V

DC automatic charger is powered by the mains power supply illustrated above. Alternatively, you can use a 12V sealed modelling battery to power the DC automatic charger.

1. Connect the charger to the power source.

The power LED will light Red and the charge

LED will light Green.

2. Plug the white 3-pin connector on your Li-po battery into the 3pin socket in the front of the charger.

charging: Charge LED flashes Red.

Fully charged: Charge LED is solid Green.

If the charge leD is solid red when you plug in the battery no charge is needed.

3. When the battery is fully charged disconnect the battery from the charger. Disconnect the 12V power source from the charger. Your Li-po is ready for use.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual 5

6

assembling the p-47

1. Locate the horizontal tail assembly and the vertical fin and rudder assembly.

note: Picture shows the horizontal tail with doublestick tape for attching to the vertical fin. We recommend that you remove the double sided tape and use epoxy to glue the vertical and horizontal fin together as this will provide a more permanent fixing.

2. Use the vertical fin to locate the position of the alignment holes in the horizontal tail.

Using a sharp hobby knife carefully cut away the double-stick tape in these 2 positions. Dry fit the vertical fin to confirm a good fit.

3. Peel the backing paper from the doublestick tape, or use epoxy glue, and press the vertical fin into position. You will now have a single unit of horizontal and vertical tail parts ready to glue to the fuselage.

4. Locate the main fuselage.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

5. In the center of the rear of the fuselage, cut a vertical slot to accept the hinge that is preattached to the bottom of the rudder. A sharp hobby knife is best for this operation.

6. Trial fit the tail unit to the fuselage.

7. Epoxy the tail unit to the fuselage.

8. When the epoxy has set, connect the plastic clevis to the rudder control horn.

9. Connect clevis to the outermost hole in the control horn.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual ePoxy

7

10. In like manner, connect the plastic clevis to the control horn on the elevator.

11. With the fuselage upside down, place the leading edge of the main wing on the fuselage.

12. Locate the single servo extension on the receiver and plug the retract servo into it.

13. Plug the remaining “Y” connector into the 2 aileron servo extensions. It does not matter which servo is plugged into which side of the

“Y” connector.

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14. Place the wing into the fuselage wing saddle.

Route the main power wires from the ESC to the bottom side of the wing. You may need to make a groove in the leading edge of the wing for these wires. (See Photo)

15. Locate the 2 long metal screws and screw them in place.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

16. The flight battery slides in place in the hollow compartment bellow and to the front of the main wing. Velcro on the bottom of the wing and on the battery help keep it in place.

17. The lower fuselage under wing filler is held in position at the front by a tab and at the rear by strong magnets. No tools are required to remove for access to the flight batteries.

18. Install the gun units onto the the main wing.

Take care to mount them on the correct side.

Each gun unit is marked L and R to aid with this.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual 9

assembling the propeller

19. Locate the scale propeller parts.

20. Begin by inserting the blades onto the front prop hub.

21. When all four blades are in position your propeller should look like the photo at the right.

22. Snap the rear prop hub in place and insert the four screws and tighten.

23. Slip the prop onto the motor shaft and install the washer and nut.

10 P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

24. Install the prop hub spinner.

25. Install provided screw to retain the spinner.

switch on the transmitter

the escale transmitter is only inlcuded in the rtF complete set. If you are using your own transmitter please follow the instructions for that transmitter.

26. Locate 2.4GHz. Transmitter.

27. Install 8-AA batteries (sold separately) into the battery compartment located in back of

Transmitter case.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual 11

transmitter layout

mode ii tRanSmitteR Layout

28. Left Stick is Throttle (up and down) and

Rudder/Tailwheel Steering (side to side)

29. Right Stick is Elevator (up and down) and

Ailerons (side to side).

30. Retract (Ch.5) switch is on Right front. Ch.6 is

Left front.

31. Servo reversing switches across lower front of case.

32. Fine trim adjustments for 4 main channels.

Please see the escale transmitter manual for more detailed instructions on transmitter functions

Ch. 6

Trainer Switch

Rudder

Left

Throttle High

Rudder

Right

‘PDM’ Switch

Retract switch

Ch. 5

Elevator Down

Aileron

Left

Aileron

Right

Throttle Low

Trim Adjustments Servo reverse switches

Elevator Up

Power

Switch mode i tRanSmitteR Layout

33. Left Stick is Elevator (up and down) and

Rudder/Tailwheel Steering (side to side)

34. Right Stick is Throttle (up and down) and

Ailerons (side to side).

35. Retract (Ch.5) switch is on Right front. Ch.6 is

Left front.

36. Servo reversing switches across lower front of case.

37. Fine trim adjustments for 4 main channels.

Please see the escale transmitter manual for more detailed instructions on transmitter functions

Ch. 6

Trainer Switch

Elevator Down

Rudder

Left

Rudder

Right

‘PDM’ Switch

Retract switch

Ch. 5

Aileron

Left

Throttle Up

Aileron

Right

Elevator Up Throttle Down

Power

Switch

Trim Adjustments Servo reverse switches

pairing the esc and transmitter

38. PLEASE NOTE: The first time that the model is powered up the ESC must recognize the transmitter and verify the range of throttle motion. Follow these easy steps.

39. With the throttle stick at its lowest position, turn on the transmitter and then plug the flight battery into the ESC. note: Photo shows a mode II transmittter

40. After a few seconds there will be a beep tone, move the throttle stick to full throttle, there will be another beep tone but the motor will not start.

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41. Return the stick to its lowest position for the final confirmation tones after which the throttle will work normally.

42. Please note that this process only needs to be done one time. After this the throttle will operate normally for all subsequent flights.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

control checKs

43. Elevator is controlled by the elevator stick.

Check that the direction and distance of movement is correct.

44. Stick toward the bottom of the transmitter the elevator should move up. When moved toward the top of the transmitter the elevator should move down.

45. Adjust the position of the pushrod to get approx. 1/2” (13mm) in each direction.

46. Rudder and Tailwheel are controlled by the rudder stick. Check that the direction and distance of movement is correct.

47. If the direction is incorrect, switch the servo-reversing switch on the front of the transmitter.

48. Adjust the position of the pushrod to get approx. 3/4” (19mm) movement in each direction measured at the trailing edge.

49. Ailerons are controlled by the aileron stick.

Check that the direction and distance of movement are correct.

50. If the direction is incorrect, switch the servo reversing switch on the front of the transmitter.

51. Adjust the position of the pushrod to get approx. 5/8” (16mm) movement in each direction measured at the trailing edge

52. The CG (Center of Gravity) for the P-47 is located 2-1/2” to 2-7/8” (63-72mm) behind the leading edge of the main wing at the root of the wing.

53. Check the CG location by balancing the model upside down on your fingertips. The model should be aprox level with your fingertips at the indicated distance.

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual 13

preflight checKs

If you are new to flying R/C aircraft, or an experienced modeler, we recommend you have a fellow R/C modeler help you with the first flight. Some items you will need to complete on your first preflight are:

1. Aircraft assembled correctly and ready for flight.

2. All control throws are set per this manual.

3. Transmitter battery power is good.

4. Aircraft balances at the recommended CG

5. Flight Battery is fully charged and secure.

6. All electronics are operating correctly, proper direction, and secure.

7. Wait for a calm or light wind day for first flights.

8. If you are new to R/C flying, consider having an accomplished flyer make the first flight and trim the aircraft.

14 P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual

flying

Place your P-47 on a smooth runway and face it into the wind. Smoothly advance the throttle and control the direction of rollout with the rudder. After a few feet apply a small amount of up elevator and the model will lift off. You will not need full throttle to take off or climb. Continue to climb out at a shallow angle until you reach an altitude of 75 to 100 feet and level off. Adjust the flight surface trims till the model flies wings level without a tendency to climb or dive.

The channel 5 switch will raise and lower the main landing gear. When making a landing approach a small amount of throttle should be maintained. When the throttle is completely off the large 4-bladed prop creates a great deal of drag.

We hope that you enjoy your P-47 as much as we do.

take-off

Wind Direction

Landing

Wind Direction

Happy landings!

P47 Thunderbolt Instruction Manual 15

With Retracts and Scale 4-Bladed Prop

Australasia agents: Model Engines,

Melbourne, Australia www.modelengines.com.au

European agents: J Perkins Distribution,

Lenham, England www.jperkinsdistribution.co.uk

07.09