2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Engine Spinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Required Hardware and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
KIT CONTENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
KIT INSPECTION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
PREPARATIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ASSEMBLE THE WINGS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Install the Aileron Servos and Pushrods . . . . . . . . . . .6
Join the Bottom Wing Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Join Top Wing Panels w/Wing Center Section . . . . . .10
Install the Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Install the Upper and Lower Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Assemble and Install the Carry Handle . . . . . . . . . . .13
ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Install the Stab, Elevators, Fin and Rudder . . . . . . . .15
Install the Tail Braces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Install the Wheels, Pants, & Tail Wheel Assembly . . .18
Install the Elevator and Rudder Servos . . . . . . . . . . .20
Install the Engine and Throttle Servo . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Install the Fuel Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Completing the Radio Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Install the Cockpit and Pilot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Apply the Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
PREFLIGHT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Ground Check and Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
AMA SAFETY CODE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
CHECK LIST
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
FLYING
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Takeoff
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
INTRODUCTION
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to
the Pitts M-12s visit the Great Planes web site at
www.
greatplanes.com
. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select
the Pitts M-12s ARF. If there is new technical information or
changes to this model a “tech notice” box will appear in the
upper left corner of the page.
AMA
Academy of Model Aeronautics:
If you are not already a
member of the AMA, please join! The AMA is the governing
body of model aviation and membership provides liability
insurance coverage, protects modelers’ rights and interests
and is required to fl y at most R/C sites.
Academy of Model
Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252
Tele. (800) 435-9262
Fax (765) 741-0057
www.modelaircraft.org
IMPORTANT!!!
Two of the most important things you can do to preserve the
radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid fl ying near full-
scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over groups of people.
IMAA
The Great Planes Pitts M-12s is an excellent sport-
scale model and is eligible to fl y in IMAA events. The
IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association) is an
organization that promotes non-competitive fl ying of giant-
scale models. If you plan to attend an IMAA event, obtain a
copy of the
IMAA Safety Code
by contacting the IMAA
at
the address or telephone number below, or by logging on to
their web site at:
www.fl y-imaa.org/imaa/sanction
IMAA
205 S. Hilldale Road
Salina, KS 67401
(913) 823-5569
Scale Competition
Though the Great Planes
Pitts M-12s is an ARF and may
not have the same level of detail as an “all-out” scratch-
built competition model, it is a scale model nonetheless
and is therefore eligible to compete in the
Fun Scale
class
in AMA competition (we receive many favorable reports of
Great Planes ARFs in scale competition!). In Fun Scale, the
