D 43. Insert one of the 8-32 x 1/2" machine screws into
the hole so that it sticks out the bottom of the channel
and glue it in place with plenty of thick C/A or epoxy.
This screw will be covered by the battery pack
prohibiting a screwdriver from being used to keep it
from turning, so glue it securely but be very careful not
to get any glue on the threads.
D 44. Use some nylon reinforced strapping tape to
securely hold the battery pack on the front end of the
channel. Square battery packs fit very nicely but most
flat packs will also fit, just tape them flat onto the
channel. The battery should protrude approximately 1/8"
past the end of the channel to keep the fuel tank from
rubbing against the end of the channel.
D 45. The servos are "press fit" into the aluminum
channel and then held in place with nylon strapping tape.
Standard size servos should fit very nicely and smaller
servos can be held in place by using a piece of wood to
fill the space between the
servo sides and the
channel. Large servos
will not work in the
STURDY BIRDY. The
servos should be placed as
far forward in the channel
as possible and right next
to each other, but do not
overlap the servo
mounting lugs. the front
two servos should be
mounted with their servo output shafts towards the back
of the plane and the back servo should have its output
shaft towards the front of the plane. The servo wires
should be routed out to the side of the servo without
going under any servos. Wrap two layers of nylon
strapping tape all the way around each servo and the
aluminum channel to hold it in place. Hook up the entire
radio system and turn it on (see the instructions included
with your radio). Adjust the transmitter trims so they are
in the middle of their slots. Remove the screws that hold
the servo horns in place and adjust the horns so that they
are perpendicular to the servo. This will be their neutral
position. It is a good idea to use single arm servo horns
rather than the round horns most servos come with. The
sketch shows how to cut a horn for use here. Replace the
screws that hold the horns in place. (See the photo at
step 49).
D 46. Attach the stabilizer/elevator
to the back of the channel using
two 4-40 x 5/8" machine screws,
two #4 flat washers, two 4-40 lock
washers, and two 4-40 nuts. The
sketch shows how the pieces are
installed. The pre-bent tail skid is
held in place by the rear screw.
D 47. Press the fin/rudder into the channel with the
back edge of the fin even with the back edge of the
channel as shown in the photo.
12
