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USING THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Before you begin assembling your
Chipmunk 400 ARF
,
take some time to read through this entire instruction book.
It is designed to take you step-by-step through the process
and to give you added information on motor and radio
selection and set-up, balancing your aircraft, and flying
your model. The time you spend will speed the assembly
process and help you avoid problems.
PREPARING FOR ASSEMBLY
You will need a work area of approximately 24 x 48" which has
been covered to protect it from adhesive, as well as cuts and
other damage. Many people cover their work area with a
sheet of dry wall (sheet rock) and/or waxed paper t o pre-
vent CA Glue and Epoxy from ruining the work surface.
CONSTRUCTION TIPS
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS READ A FEW STEPS AHEAD.
This will alert you to coming instructions and will help you
plan accordingly.
Using the Parts Identification section, familiarize yourself
with the various items included in your kit box.
Do not hesitate to ask questions. Your local hobby dealer
and area flyers will most likely be happy to help, as they
want you to have a successful flying experience.
ADHESIVES & GLUING TECHNIQUES
CA adhesives are specially formulated to firmly glue the
plywood, hardwood, and balsa used in your model and to
withstand the vibration and stresses of high performance
flight. However, there are times, such as when you are
installing the stabilizer and fin on the fuselage and want
more set-up time for careful alignment and positioning,
then you should use epoxy. Occasionally, you also will
want to use thin CA, which "wicks" into the surrounding
areas. Aliphatic resin glue or similar water-based glues can
also be used, but they will add to the assembly time
because they dry so much more slowly than CA glue.
Remember, when ever using any CA, you must be careful
to read instructions thoroughly, as you will have only sec-
onds for positioning of parts. Be sure to trial fit parts
together before gluing. Also, never use watery THIN type
CA glue for gluing plywood and hardwood parts. Thin CA's
do not adequately bond these areas.
CAUTION
Some people may experience an allergic reaction when
exposed to fumes from CA glue or epoxy. As with paints,
thinners, and solvents, it is always important to use glues
only where there is adequate ventilation to carry fumes
away. A fan is recommended. Also, special care must be
taken when using CA, as it will bond skin as well as other
surfaces. Before using any CA, carefully read all label pre-
cautions. When using CA, protective eye-wear and care in
keeping the glue away from the face is highly recommend-
ed. If CA does happen to get into the eye, hold lid open
and flush with water only. Seek immediate medical atten-
tion.
COVERING
The Chipmunk 400 ARF is covered in a polyester film cho-
sen for its beauty, toughness, and ease of application and
repair. It is not uncommon for ARF's to develop a few wrin-
kles in transit. If this is true of your model, the situation is
easily corrected. Before you begin putting the pieces
together, run around the edge of the seams first then over
the surface of each section with an iron (either specially
designed for airplane use or the more cumbersome house-
hold iron). Apply the heat (set at about 350° F), following
along with a soft cloth and pressing down on the covering
as you go around. This will more firmly set the covering
adhesive into the wood and keep your aircraft covering
tight and smooth in the future. Once you have ironed the
seams stay away from them with the heat or the covering
will slide when you try to shrink the middle. If this happens
the wrinkles will not come out of the covering.
One of the great advantages of polyester film is that it can
be applied over itself without causing gas bubbles. This
allows you to repair your aircraft, as well as to customize it
in a number of ways. If, due to a flight mishap, you get a
hole or similar covering damage, simply trim away the
ragged edges and then apply a patch, following the direc-
tions that come with your covering , which is available at
your hobby dealer.
The Chipmunk 400 covering can be closely
matched using
Oracover Flame Red
Oracover White
Oracover Midnight Blue
