Graupner
GmbH & Co. KG * Henriettenstraße 94-96 * D - 73230 Kirchheim/Teck
*
www.graupner.de
Stand: 2010
21
Vertical stabiliser and rudder
The rudder supplied in the kit is complete and
requires only minimal finishing. The rudder hinge
is formed by a Steel wire running in a factory
installed pivot tube in the leading edge of the
rudder.
Note:
Customers building the ARC version may
wish to take this opportunity to adjust the profile
of the leading edge of the rudder to match the
trailing edge of the fin.
Start by cleaning up the rudder push-rod shroud
using a suitable (8-10mm) round file. Similarly
file a small semi-circular recess in the top of the
fin to clear the leading edge of the rudder. You
may also find it necessary to generally clean-up
the area around the inside edge of fin post, to
ensure that the rudder can move freely within the
opening.
Locate and open-up the three hinge points along
the leading edge of the rudder and carefully mark
the corresponding hinge points along the centre of
the rudder post. Now drill the holes using a Ø 3.5
mm drill to accommodate three eye-bolts used to
form the hinge and screw these into the rudder
post, but do not bond in place just yet. Insert the
Steel wire through the guide tube located in the
leading edge of the rudder such that it passes
through the three holes in the eye-bolts – to form
an effective hinge. Now carefully check the
movement and throw of the rudder with respect to
the fin and adjust the depth of the hinge, by
screwing in (or out) the three eye-bolts until you
find the optimum depth. Mark the position of the
eye-bolts before bonding into place using a
suitably thickened epoxy, re-install the rudder and
adjust as necessary before finally allowing the
hinge points to set.
Tip:
It is possible to unscrew the hinge bolt and
reset it with a little more adhesive should you find
it necessary to make an adjustment after the hinge
bolts have been set into the fin post.
The rudder is attached by pressing the Steel wire
down through the pivot tube from the top, and
engaging in each of the hinge points.
Fig 3. Rudder Hinge
Rudder control horn
Carefully mark out the position of the rudder
control horn to align with the shroud in the rear of
the fuselage and the rudder control linkage. Try to
locate the horn as close as possible to the pivot
line, and at exactly 90 degrees to the rudder hinge
line. Take care to avoid any restriction caused by
the rudder horn touching the shroud in the
fuselage.
Now drill a 4 mm hole at the point where the
rudder horn is to be installed. The hole should be
as deep as possible but take care not to pierce the
skin on the other side of the rudder. Undermine the
hole using a sharp tool so as to increase area
available to the adhesive and bond the rudder horn
into place using suitably thickened epoxy.
Motor installation
Prepare the area where the motor mount is to be
bonded to the inside of the fuselage nose with a
course abrasive paper (80 Grit) to ensure a good
bond. The motor mount should be installed about
1mm behind the edge of the fuselage nose. Note
that the appropriate down-thrust and side-thrust is
accounted for by the fuselage itself.
Tip:
Fit a long nylon bolt through the centre
hole in the motor mount and use the
protruding part of the bolt as an aid to
adjusting the precise amount of down-thrust
and side-thrust. The bolt also serves as a
useful handle while positioning the motor-
mount in place.
With the motor temporally installed, fit the
propeller yoke and spinner and check the
alignment of the fuselage nose with the spinner.
Carefully finish the front of the fuselage nose to
match the profile of your chosen spinner.
Now carefully position the motor mount in place
and secure with a few drops of instant adhesive
before finally bonding in place with a generous
bead of suitably thickened epoxy to both sides of
the motor mount.
