GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
Änderungen vorbehalten! Keine Haftung für Druckfehler! Ident-Nr. 0057999
Made in Thailand
04/2003
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Test-flying the model
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The basic requirement for a successful first flight is that you have built the model in accordance with the
building instructions, and set it up exactly as prescribed.
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We strongly recommend that you fit the optional TIP-tanks, Order No. 6264.40, as they make it much
easier to keep track of the model’s orientation in the air. They are simply attached to the tips of the wings.
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Before you test-fly the model check that there is no lost motion in any of the control surface linkages, and
secure all screwed joints and locknuts with UHU schraubensicher (thread-lock fluid), Order No. 952.
Check that the retractable undercarriage operates with 100% reliability, that it locks when extended, and
that the turbine and all its ancillary equipment work flawlessly. Check that all the control surface travels
and the model’s CG are set as stated in these instructions. Carry out a careful and thorough range check,
with and without the turbine running.
Ensure that all the airborne components are properly secured, so
that the high forces and acceleration which occur in flight cannot possibly loosen them and allow
them to move about. Ensure that your model’s Centre of Gravity is actually located at the
manufacturer’s stated position: 95 - 100 mm forward of the front face of the wing joiner tube. Do the
control surfaces work in the correct “sense” relative to the transmitter stick movements? Are all the
batteries for the receiving system and turbine electronics fully charged? Have you installed the
receiver aerial correctly?
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If you can answer “yes” to all these questions, then you and your model are ready for the first flight.
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It can often be extremely helpful to have an experienced model flyer to hand, i.e. a modeller with
actual turbine experience, before running your turbine and flying the model for the first time. Please
don’t be embarrassed to ask a seasoned campaigner for help and information - especially if you are
new to turbines.
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We recommend that you avoid using the thrust vectoring system for the model’s first take-off. Instead
allow the Harpoon to take off “normally”, so that you can become accustomed to the model’s control
response and adjust the control surface travels to suit your preferences.
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This is the procedure for establishing the absolute neutral setting of the thrust vectoring pipe:
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Fly the model at full throttle and trim it for straight and level flight, then reduce turbine power and increase
it again. If the model’s flight path alters during this procedure, adjust the neutral position of the thrust
vectoring pipe by moving the slider as follows:
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If the model dives when turbine speed increases, the thrust vectoring pipe needs to be trimmed “up”.
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If the model climbs when turbine speed increases, the thrust vectoring pipe needs to be trimmed “down”.
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Adjusting the thrust vectoring pipe and trimming the model’s control surfaces is an inter-connected
process, and you should be prepared to spend considerable time fine-tuning the system to obtain the
optimum settings. Once found, store the trim values permanently and leave them alone!
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Once the model flies neutrally when you change the turbine power setting, it is safe to switch on the thrust
vectoring pipe function, enabling you to exploit to the full the advantages of short take-off and extreme
manoeuvrability.
Have you read the safety notes and building instructions carefully
and understood them completely?
Despite the high level of pre-fabrication, the construction of this model requires a high level of technical
knowledge, manual skill and piloting experience. Operating a model with a jet engine requires a highly
circumspect approach and specialised technical expertise. Please read and observe the safety notes in the
building instructions, and the information in the instructions supplied with all the ancillary equipment.
Before you fly the model for the first time, and indeed before you attempt to run the engine, read as much
as you can on the matter of model jet turbines, and make yourself thoroughly conversant with the subject.
Don’t run your turbine until you are confident that you understand how the system works, and that you
are capable of operating the engine safely. If you know a modeller in your locality who has experience
with jet models, don’t be too proud to ask his advice.
We hope you have many hours of pleasure building and flying your HARPOON.
