Top Flite T-34B MENTOR, User Manual

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Scale cockpit interior
Your model won’t be complete without the Top Flite
Beechcraft T-34B Mentor Scale Cockpit Interior
(TOPQ8413). It includes the floor, side panels,
instrument panels and seats! You can install the
Cockpit Interior at any time because the canopy is
removable but it’s easiest to build the cockpit into the
model while it’s under construction. The servos and
pushrods are located so the Cockpit Interior can be
installed without any modification.
The canopy has been designed so that it can be cut
apart and made into a sliding canopy if you wish.
NOTES FOR COMPETITION
MINDED MODELERS
We designed our model from documentation
obtained from Bob’s Aircraft Documentation and
from measurements taken from a T34B at a local
airport. The model scale is 1:5.
If you plan to enter your T-34B Mentor in scale
competition (it’s lots of fun, and the runways are
almost always paved!), this kit qualifies for Fun Scale
and the Sportsman and Expert classes in Sport
Scale. Fun Scale and Sport Scale have the same
flight requirements where you must perform ten
maneuvers of which five are mandatory. If you have
never competed in a scale contest, you could start
out in Fun Scale. In Fun Scale, the only
documentation you need for static judging is any
proof that a full size aircraft of this type, in the
paint/markings scheme on your model, did exist. A
single photo, kit box cover, even a painting is
sufficient proof! If you’re interested, contact the AMA
for a rulebook which will tell you everything you need
to know. Look in the back of the AMA magazine,
Model Aviation, for a schedule of events.
The trim scheme of the T-34B Mentor on the kit box
is from a T-34B Mentor owned by Rudy Frasca. If you
are going to compete in scale competition, use the
photos in your documentation package as a guide
for your trim scheme.
DOCUMENTATION
Three view drawings and photo packs of full size
Beechcraft T-34B Mentors are available from:
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
3114 Yukon Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 979-8058
NOTES FROM THE DESIGNER
The Top Flite Beechcraft Bonanza was introduced
several years ago. Since then many modelers have
requested that we do the T-34B Mentor as well. The
Mentor is a Bonanza, modified as a military trainer.
Scale Accuracy: The T-34B Mentor was designed
using three view drawings for the Beechcraft
Bonanza dated 1969 and from documentation
obtained from Bob’s Aircraft Documentation. In
addition, measurements of all aircraft components
were taken from an actual T-34B Mentor.
Wing Design: The Top Flite T-34B Mentor was
designed with an “I-Beam” type of wing spar rather
than the more traditional “D-Tube” type construction.
Actually, the design could be called an “I-Tube”. This
simplifies construction and is approximately 50%
stronger than D-Tube designs. The wing was
designed with an absolute minimum number of
seams that must be sanded on the finished wing. The
result is a very smooth wing.
Flaps: Flaps on the full-scale aircraft allow steeper
approaches and slower landing speeds. They do
exactly the same on this model. The improvement in
performance is well worth the effort.
Landing Gear: If you are installing fixed gear you will
note that the strut extends out from the center of the
grooved rail instead of the end. This allows landing
stresses to be distributed across three ply reinforced
ribs, rather than being concentrated at the end of the
rail. The mounting rails are designed to minimize
damage in the event of hard landings or contact with
obstacles. If you plan to install retractable landing gear,
we highly recommend the Robart units especially
designed for the Bonanza. They are very robust and
include shock-absorbing struts. Gear doors would look
great on this model but you will have to do some
modifications if you want to install then.
Fuselage Design: The fuselage design is fairly
conventional.The T-34B Mentor differs from the Bonanza
primarily in the tandem two place cockpit and the fin and
rudder. The large canopy is supplied in two parts, which
can be held in place with canopy glue and/or screws.The
canopy has been designed so that it can be cut apart and
made into a sliding canopy system.You will need to install
rails for the canopy to slide on as well. For help in this
area, there are several scale publications that have
covered sliding canopy installations.
The cabin area is reinforced with 1/8” lite ply. If you
are going to install the cockpit kit, you should
reinforce the area with some basswood rails along
the bottom of formers F2, F4 and F6 across the width
of the fuselage. The cockpit kit requires that a portion
of several formers be trimmed and the basswood
rails are needed for reinforcement in those areas. We
have included ample extra 1/4” x 3/8” basswood
material for this purpose.
Will It Really Fly On a .60 Size Engine? YES!! And
very scale like as well. Our test flying was done with a
new O. S. .61FX with a TF in-cowl muffler. It was turning
a TF 12-6 Power Point prop and we never felt a need for
more power. It flew in a very scale like manner.
Good luck and good flying. I hope you enjoy building
and flying your T-34B Mentor as much as we did
designing it.
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