• Pliers - needle nose and flat nose types
• Wire cutters
• A selection of glues - thin, medium, and thick SIG CA,
SIG Epoxy Glue (5 and 30 minute types) and
SIG Super-Weld white glue
• Fine point CA applicator tips
• Drill with assorted small drill bits
• Pin vise for small diameter drill bits
• Small T-pins
• Sandpaper
• Hobby knife with sharp #11 blades
• Scissors
• Covering iron and trim seal tool
• Paper towels
RADIO SYSTEMS:
The SIG Bf-109 ARF requires the use of a four-channel radio
system and four micro servos. Due to limited space in the wing
bays for aileron servos, we used and can recommend the Hitec
HS-55 (2 required) for this purpose. We used and can recommend
Hitec HS-81 servo for the fuselage-mounted elevator and rudder
servos. These little servos fit into the fuselage tray perfectly and
provide plenty of torque. A sub micro receiver is not mandatory but
smaller receivers like the Hitec Electron 6 do offer great reliability
and considerably lighter weight over larger, standard type
receivers.
Servo Extensions: In order to connect the ailerons servos to the
receiver, two 6" servo extensions and one standard Y-harness will
be required. Note that in our radio installation, we leave the "Y"
harness plugged into the receiver, plugging the two aileron servo
extensions into it whenever the wing is attached.
POWER SYSTEMS:
Motors:
The Bf-109 has been designed to fly with brushless
motors in the 300 to 400 watt range. We have used and can
certainly recommend the fine Himax range of brushless motors for
your own Bf-109 model. We have tested this airplane with both the
Himax #HC3516-1130 (300 watt) and HC3522-0990 (400 watt)
brushless motors with great results.
Electronic Speed Controls (ESC): We suggest using a 35 amp
ESC for 300 watt motors or a 45 amp ESC for 400 watt motors.
Propellers: We suggest using an APC 10 x 7E propeller with
either the 300 or 400 watt motors or an APC 11 x 7E, used only
with the 400 watt motor
Battery Packs: We suggest using a 3S 3300 mAh Lithium Polymer
battery pack. Note that this pack fits perfectly in the Bf-109 battery
tray.
Battery Charger:
Use a charger designed specifically for
lithium polymer batteries!
Using any other type of battery
charger for lithium polymer batteries can be extremely
dangerous.
COVERING MATERIAL:
The Bf-109 ARF has been professionally covered in SIG
AEROKOTE
®
iron-on plastic covering material. This covering is a
tough, lightweight, and heat shrinkable material. The camouflage
patterns, national markings, and other detail and panel lines have
been printed on the outer surface of the covering, giving a very
realistic overall look to the model. The inks used in the printing
process are quite durable and bond to the covering film extremely
well. Normal handling and flying conditions should have little, if any
effect on the printed finish. However, carefully note that certain
solvents can and will soften the ink, allowing it to be rubbed off.
The following is a short list of cleaners and solvents that can and
cannot be used on the printed finish of your model:
Use
Do Not Use
Windex
®
Window Cleaner
CA Debonder
SIG Model Magic Cleaner
Acetone
Hexane
Alcohol
Dope Thinner
If in doubt of the suitability of a cleaner or chemical to use on your
model, always test it first, choosing an inconspicuous location on
the model. In addition to the above, carefully note that excessive
heat from typical covering tools, such as heat guns, covering irons
and trim seal tools, may also soften and remove the ink finish.
Work only with temperatures set at 250
O
F or less. Whenever
working on the covering with a heat iron, we strongly suggest that
you first cover the shoe of the iron with a soft cotton cloth, such as
an old T-shirt.
Your Bf-109 ARF kit was built and covered in a part of the world
that has a great deal of humidity. You may therefore notice that
after the covered parts have been removed from their plastic bags,
that some wrinkles may appear after 24 to 48 hours.
This is
perfectly normal and is the result of the wood losing humidity and
dimensionally shrinking.
If wrinkles appear in the covering, they are easy to remove, using
a little heat. Because of the ink printing, it is not advisable to rub a
hot iron over the surfaces to be tightened. If proper precautions
are taken, a heat gun will do the job quickly. First, locate and
inspect all the seams where the covering overlaps like at the
leading and trailing edges of the wing and tail surfaces and the top
and bottom of the fuselage. Seal these overlaps down with a trim
iron (set to about 220
O
F to 240
O
F) by applying the iron to the seam
overlap for a few seconds without moving the iron, then lift the iron
to move to the next location and repeat. Do this until you are sure
that all the seams are secure before proceeding with the heat gun.
Protect these seams with wet paper towel strips while you shrink
the loose areas with the heat gun. Use caution to never use any
more heat than necessary to get the covering to shrink.
COMPLETE KIT PARTS LIST:
The following is a complete list of all parts contained in this kit.
Before beginning assembly, we suggest that you take the time to
inventory the parts in your kit, using the provided check-off boxes
(
❑
).
Carefully note that the CA type hinges for the rudder,
elevators, and ailerons are in place in their appropriate locations
but are not glued in place. All parts are covered in pre-printed
AeroKote
®
with green and blue-gray camouflage colors with panel
lines and other details except where noted.
❑
Bag #1
Vertical fin and rudder, 2 CA hinges installed but not
glued, leading edge of rudder at the bottom drilled and
routed to receive the tail wheel wire.
❑
Bag #2
Stabilizer and elevator, 4 CA hinges installed but not
glued, elevator joiner wire installed but not glued.
2