FOURNIER

RF.4D

ASSEMBLY & OPERATIONS MANUAL

Please review this manual thoroughly before assembling or operating this model.

Proceeding with assembly and use of

this

product indicates

Agreement With & Acceptance of the following Liability Disclaimer.

Model airplanes, model engines, model engine fuel, propellers and related accessories, tools and equipment can be hazardous if improperly used. Be cautious and follow all safety recommendations when using your VMAR model airplane.

Keep hands, tools, clothing and all foreign objects well clear of engines when they safeguard are operating. Take particular care to and protect your eyes and fingers and the eyes and fingers of other persons who may be nearby. Use only a good quality propeller that has no cracks or flaws. Stay clear of the propeller and stay clear of the plane of rotation defined by the propeller. The Manufacturer, Distributor, Retailer andior other suppliers of this product expressly disclaim any warranties or representations, limited either expressed or implied, including but not to implied warranties of fitness for the purposes of achieving and sustaining remotely controlled flight. ln no event

will the

Manufacturer, Distributor, Retailer andior other suppliers of this product have any obligation arising from contract or tort, or for loss of revenue or profit, or for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or other damages arising from the use of this product. In purchasing and/or using this product, accepts the user accepts all responsibility for its use and all liability associated with such use.

A Remote Gontrol Model Aircraft is not a toy..lt is a flying model that functions much like a full size airplane. lf you do not assemble and operate this product properly you can cause injury

You are to entirely

yourself and others and damage property. DO NOT

FLY this model if you are not qualified.

responsible

for the

mechanical, aeronautical and electrical structure, control integrity of this model and it's surfaces, hinges, finkages, covering, engine, radio, wiring, battery and all other components.

Check all components before and after each flight.

ENHANCED COVERING SYSTEM

The Graphics and Detailing are inside the POLYCOTE ECS/

WING

ASSEMBLY.

JOINING THE WING HALVES

Parts needed

- Right and left wing panels

- Roll of wing joiner tape

- Wing joiner (also called dihedral brace)

- Two short dowel guides

Tools and adhesives needed

- 30 minute epoxy

- Epoxy brush or stir sticks

- Disposable mixing dish for the epoxy

- Sandpaper (coarse 240 grit recommended)

- Low tack masking tape

- Pencil

- Knife

- Ruler

- Paper towels

STEP 1.1 Locate the wing joiner (also called the dihedral brace). Using a ruler, mark a center line on the wing joiner as illustrated in 1A. Also mark a center line on each of the dowel guides..

Step

1

.2Trial fit the wing joiner into the wing panels. lt should insert smoothly up to the center line as illustrated in

1B. Now slide the other wing panel onto the wing joiner until the wing panels meet. lf the fit is overly tight, sand the wing joiner slightly and try again. Mark the joiner to indicate which way is UP as inllustrated in 1A

onooccc

Center line

Center line

Wing joiner

1B - Trial fit the wing joiner and dowel guides

1A - Preparation of wing joiner and dowel guides

Step 1.3

Insert the dowel guides into one of the wing panels all the way to the center line. Apply CA glue to secure the dowels into their places as illustrated 1B and 1C. Do not apply CA glue to the wing joiner

Step 1.4 Apply plenty of 30 minute epoxy to one end of the wing joiner using a stir stick or epoxy brush. Carefully insert the joiner into the first wing panel as illustrated in 1D,1E and

1F, then wipe off the excess epoxy that squeezes out of the joint with a cloth or tissue. Repeat this process several times to ensure that the wing joiner and cavity are well coated in epoxy. When the wing joiner and cavity are well coated with

30 minute epoxy, insert the joiner to the center line, wipe away any excess epoxy and let dry. (Note. Do not use

5 minute epoxy or GA to join the wings)

1G - Apply CA glue to secure dowel into their places

2

1D - Apply plenty of 30 minute epoxy to the wing joiner

Genter line pointing up

1E- Carefully line insert the joiner all the way to the

WING ASSEMBLY

Step 2.1 When the epoxy has cured in stage 1, trial fit the second wing panel onto the wing joiner first to ensure that the two panels fit without an excessive gap

Step 2.2 Now apply plenty of epoxy to the wing joiner and wing roots ribs of both wing pannels.See 2A Use only 30 minute epoxy to ensure a strong bond and give youself plen ty of working time

1F-Wipe off the excess epoxy then allow to cure

WING HALVES (Gont.)

Step 2.3 As described in Step 1.4, repeatedly apply 30 minute epoxy to the wing joiner and insert into the wing joiner cavity

Step 2.4 When the epoxy has been plentifully applied, align and mate the wing halves. See 28. Ensure the wing roots are firmly in contact with each other. Clean off any excess epoxy seeping from the joint before it cures.

Step 2.5 Use low tack masking tape to hold the wing panels together until the epoxy cures. See 2C

2A- Apply plenty of 30 minute to

all'surfaces epoxy

28 - Align the wing panels and slowly close the gap until the wing roots are firmly in contact with each other.

2G- Use low tack masking tape to hold tightly together

WING ASSEMBLY.

JOINING THE WING HALVES (Cont.)

Step 3.1 When the epoxy has cured completely (allow several hours at least), the tape can be carefully removed from the wing panels. Peel the tape back on itself.... do not pull upright away from the wing. To seal and finish the joint in the wings, a roll of wing joiner tape has been supplied. Starting on the bottom side of the wing, stick the tape centrally over the joint ensuring that it is pressed down firmly as you work around the wing. Wrap the tape all the way around the wing in one piece, starting and finishing at the wiring harness cavities at the top of tfle wing

3A - Straddle the wing the wing joint tape over

joint

starting here on the bottom of the wing.

38 -

Gontinue around

the

wing.

Ensure the tape straddles the joint.

3G- Continue over the top of the wing and trim off the excess tape

INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS INTO THE WING

To install the aileron servos into the wing you will need the following items

- Servos

- Servo mounting screws and grommets as supplied with the servos

-

Servo control arms as supplied with the radio

- Two aileron control rod assemblies supplied with the kit.

- Low tack masking tape

- 2 aileron control horn assemblies

Step 4.1frial fit the aileron seryo into the servo mounting cavity. You may have to modify the cavity slightly to fit the

SCTVO

Step 4.2 Consult your radio manual to fit the grommets and ferrules correctly. Secure the servo into place with the

SCTEWS.

4A- Prepare the servo by fitting the rubber grommets & ferrules supplied with your radio

Aileron servo location

Fournier RF-4D Spirit version

Aileron

48 - The aileron servo location (left and right are in the bottom of the wing

INSTALLING THE AILERON CONTROL SYSTEM

Step 5.1 Consult your radio instruction manual and center the aileron servo by plugging it into the aileron channel in the receiver. Turn on the transmitter then the receiver. Center the aileron trim lever on the transmitter. Remove the servo arm mounting screw and the servo arm

Step 5,2 Mount the servo arm back on the servo. Position the arm parallel with the back edge of the wing. Screw the arm into place with the servo arm mounting screw supplied with the servo. Locate the two aileron control rod in the hardware bag. Ensure the clevises are screwed well onto the threaded portion of the rod. Rotate and tug aggressively on the clevises and ensure that they are not loose on the rods. Tape the ailerons into their neutral position so that they are even with the tralling edge of the wing and not pointing up or down

Step 5.3 Ensure that the aileron control horns are screwed onto the threaded aileron control horn bolts and that both control horns are in approximately the same their respective bolts

Step 5.4

Connect the aileron servo rods to the aileron control horns. Connect the control rod to the servo output arm using a clevis.

4

5A- Aileron control rod assembly 58-

\.

\1

Aileron

\.

\

Aileron control control horn

horn

and servo installed

\

5C- Aileron control rod installed

Step 5.5 Connect the other end of the control rod to the control horn using the second clevis

Step 5.6 Remove the masking tape holding the aileron.

Step

5.7

In the case of computer radios couple the servos together electronically by connecting them to the approriate receiver channels. In the case of analog radios couple the servos together using a Y harness.

Step 5.8 Turn on your radio and activate the ailerons, using the aileron stick and ensure a smooth full motion can be achieved.

Step 5.9 With the wing top side up and viewed from the back, ensure that moving the transmitter aileron stick to the lefi raises the left aileron and lowers the right aileron. Movement of the stick to the left will roll the aircraft to the left.

(Counterclockwise roll of the wing when viewed from the back).

Step 5.10 With the wing top side up and viewed from the back, ensure that moving the transmitter aileron stick to the right raises the right aileron and lowers the Ieft aileron. Movement of the stick to the right will roll the aircraft to the right.

FITTING THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL STABILIZERS

To install the stabilizer into the fuselage you will need:

- Fuselage

- Vertical stabilizer with pre-install rudder

- Horizontal stabilizers with pre-installed elevators

Vertical stabilizer slots

Horizontal stabilizer slots

!

ia.="'"

6A- The fuselage slots for the veftical

& horizontal stabilizer

68- Vertical stabilizer with pre-install rudder

6G-Horizontal stabilizer installed elevators

with

pre-

INSTALL THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER

Mount the wing onto the fuselage first. The wing will be used as a reference point to align the horizontal stabilizer.

7A- Trail fit the horizontal stabilizer into the fuselage.

7B'

Before gluing anything, dry

(test) fit the horizontal stabilizers and ensure they align parallel to the wing and at 90 degrees to the fuselage.

7G- Apply sufficient 30 minute epoxy to the exposed wood on both side of the horizontal stabilizers.

7D- Apply sufficient 30 minute epoxy to the exposed wood on horizontal slots the

7E-

Slide horizontal stabilizer into the slots

7F- Make sure the horizontal stabilizers are align and square fuselage to the

INSTALLING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER

8A- Trial slot in fit vertical stabilizer into the the of the fuselage.

88- confirm the vertical stabilizer is at

90 degiees with respect to the horizontal stabilizer

8C- Apply sufficient 30 minute epoxy to the exposed wood in the vertical stabilizer

8D-

Apply sufficient 30 minute to the vertical

slot epoxy

8E- Insert the top vertical siabilizer to

the top

vertical

slot,

clean

of

the excess epoxy

8F-

Before the epoxy cures, confirm

the

both vertical stabilizer

is at

90 degrees with respect to the horizontal stabilizer

INSTALL THE LANDING GEAR

The Fournier RF-4D has a main gear located at the fuselageclose to the leading edge two console gear located at the wing and the tail steering wheell

-

1 main landing gear(with pre-cut main gear bearing and four 3 x 15mm bolts and nuts

)

- 2 Pre-bent console wing gear

- 8 sheet metal screws (2 x l0 mm)

- 4 Plastic landing gear straps

- 1 tail wheel assemblv

Bottom view

6

9A- Components of one main landing gear

Ew--

Main landing gea

\ slots

98-

Fit main landing location into its

9C-

Using 4 (3

x

15 mm)

to

mount main landing gear to the fuselage

INSTALL THE NOSE GEAR

\-r

-\\ iii

rr

Ji

10A- Wing console gear sets

108-

Using

2

plastic strap and

4 metal screws 2 x 10mm to mount the wing console gear to the left wing

10C- same as the left wing mount the wing console gear to the right wing

ffi-saDo

10D- Wing console gear mount to the wing

INSTALLING THE TAIL WHEEL

11B- Tail wheel location is in the

rear

11G- Tail wheel mount to the fuselage bottom of the fuselage

INSTALLING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND ESC

12A- Motor mount 128- Brushless motor 250 to 300 watt recommended

12C- Motor mount location

12D- Mount the brushless motor to the motor mount

12E-The motor mount with the motor install to the nose

',2F- Motor mount side view

to

the fuselage

12G- Mount the cowl to the fuselage 12H-Use transparent tape

to secure

121- Install the propeller and spiner the cowl to the fuselage

50 AMP FUSE

Typical wiring diagram of the brushless motor systems forFournier RF-4D

model

RECEIVER

FITTING THE ELEVATOR AND RUDDER CONTROL HORNS

Elevator control horn

138- Connect the elevator control rods tor control horns to the eleva-

Rudder control horn

13G- Rudder control horn location 13D- Connect horn rudder control rod to the rudder control

Rudder servo location

INSTALL THE RUDDER AND ELEVATOR SERVOS

Rudder control rod

Efevator

t"6location

14A- Elevator and rudder servos location

Elevator control rod

14B- Elevator servo connected

to

the elevator control rod,rudder servo connected to the rudder and gear steering control rod

ADJUST CONTROL SURFACE THROW LIMITS

Adjust the deflection of the control surfaces to match the specifications on page 8. You can reduce the amount of throw by doing either or both of the following:

- From the servo end, move the clevis to a hole in the servo arm that is closer to the servo output shaft.

- From the control horn end, move the control rod/clevis further out on

the

horn (away from the control surface).

Always confirm that the clevis is firmly attached after making any adjustment.

FINAL RC SET.UP

Before starting the final set-up of the model, switch on the radio and ensure that all trims are in their neutral positions.

Check that the ailerons, elevator and rudder are centered. lf any adjustments are needed, do these by uncoupling the reF evant clevis and turning it clockwise to shorten the linkage or counter - clockwise to lengthen it. Only when each control surface has been centered mechanically in this way should you begin adjusting the surface movement (or throw)

Now confirm that the control surfaces are moving in the correct direction. Use the servo reversing switches on your transmitter to reverse the direction of a servo if necessary The most popular transmitter mode (with the throttle on the left, with ailerons and elevator on the right) is shown here.

INSTALLING THE RECEIVER BATTERY

Step 17.1 Consult your radio manual for instructions about hooking up your receiver battery, receiver and swich har-

NESS

Step 17.2Wrap the battery pack securely in foam suitable for RC equiment and wrap the foam insulated pack in a plastic bag or cling wrap.

Step 17.3 Thread the battery pack connector fonruard in preparation for connecting to your swich harness

Step 17.4 Connect the battery pack connector

to

your switch harness according to your radio manual

INSTALLING THE RECEIVER

Step 18.1 Consult your radio manual for instructions about hooking up your receiver.

Step 18.2 Plan where you are going to put the receiver with consideration for routing the antenna safely.

Step 18.3 Wrap the receiver securely in foam suitable for

RC equipment and wrap the foam insulated receiver in a plastic bag or cling wrap.

Step 18.4 Generally in the absence of specific instructions from the radio manufacturer,

it

is recommended that the receiver should be placed where it is least likely to have impact during a crash, Keep the battery pack and other heavy loose items ahead of the receiver.

I

GONFIRM RADIO OPERATION

Step 19.1 Consult your radio manual for instructions about testing and operating your radio system.

Step 19.2 Pay particular attention to charging your batteries and range testing your system before and after each flight.

Step 19.3 Check that all before and after each flight.

controls are working correctly

BALANCING THE AIRGRAFT

Step 20.1 The CG for your Fournier RF-4D is located at

2.114

in

to 3.114 in (70mm -80mm) back from the leading edge of the wing when the wing has been attached to the fuselage as per illustration 30A.

Step 20.2 For the initial flight, the CG should be located at

2.114 (70mm) back from the leading edge of the wing when the wing has been attached to the fuselage.

Step 20.3 The CG is measured with the engine,radio gear and all other components installed

Step 20.4 Set up the CG as it will be when you fly it,

Step 20.5 lt is very important to have the CG correct. Flying your model with the CG too far back will likely lead to loss of control and a crash. lf you discover that after you have assembled your model and installed your radio, motor and battery that the CG of your model is incorrect you must bring the CG to the correct location by doing the following

BEFORE FLYING

:

- Move the battery pack fore or aft

- Move other components fore or aft

- Change engine to a lighter or heavier model

- Add weight to the nose or tail. lf adding it to the nose,try

to

make

it

useful by going to

a

heavier duty engine or adding a spinner with a heavy metal backing plate. As a last resort, add stick on "dead",weight where appropriate

CONFIRM MECHANICAL INTEGRITY

Step

21.1 Once

you

have confirmed that the CG is correct, you should do a thorough review of the entire model before your first flight.

Check everything twice! Every hook up, every coupling, everything! Do it twice!!

Step 21.2 Betore your first flight, have an experienced flyer review your work. Do not fly your model until it has been checked out by a third party who knows how to fly and how to set up a model aircraft.

Do not fly alone. Seek experienced help.

Step 21.3 Once you have completed your first flight, get in the habit of checking your model over before and after each flight! Don't fly if you find something that is not right!

21A- - CG location

CONTROL SURFACE THROW SPECIFICATIONS:

The throws are measured at the widest part of the control surface. Adjust the position of the pushrods at the control and/or servo horns to control the amount of throw. You may also use ATV's if your radio has them but the mechanical linkages should still be set so that the ATV's are near 100o/o for best servo resolution.

10

Low rate

ELEVATOR

AILERON

RUDDER

318" (1Omm)

318" (1Omm)

3/8" (1Omm)

3/8" (1Omm) up down up down

3/8 " (10 mm)

318

" (10 mm) right left

High rate

213"

(15 mm) up

213" (15 mm) down

112"

(12 mm) up

112" (12 mm) down

213" (15 mm) right

213"

(15 mm) left

1/4" (6mm)

1/3" (8mm)

1i3" (8mm)

Aileron

BATTERY LOCATION

'114" (6mm)

'113" (8 mm)

'114" (6mm)

1/3" (8 mm)

Rudder

1/3" (8 mm)

5/8" (15 mm)

'l13" (8mm)

5/8" (15 mm) tF

4 ry

F414

W lpV.f

1!1.

! ::'\

T.

22A- Battery locations

22A- Battery in its locations 22A- Battery hatch installed

0 tx):f

:frT

IDltliI[ AIIBOIT

ITilIAIBAILII

lX)

lflli-r l]lD

OTHER VMAR ARF MODELS

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE & OTHER

VMAR PRODUCTS PLEASE VISIT US AT...

www.richmondrc.com

11