Lightnin’ Bug Instructions Warning A radio-controlled airplane is not a toy. It is capable of causing serious bodily injury and property damage. It is the buyer’s responsibility to build this kit correctly and install the motor, radio, and other equipment. The first test flights should be made only with the assistance of an experienced R/C flyer. The model must always be operated and flown in accordance with the safety standards of the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Parts Identification Wing Panels Fuselage, Stabilizer/elevators, & Fin/rudder 2
Included Hardware (Wire pushrods not shown).
Wing Construction We begin construction with the wing. Before starting construction, it is a good idea to place wax paper on the building surface to prevent gluing the wing to the building board. Locate the two wing halves and the ¼” dihedral brace taped to one wing panel. When you are satisfied with the fit, remove the wing panels from the dihedral brace. Mix about one ounce of 30-minute epoxy and coat the inside of the slot in each wing panel, the dihedral brace, and the root rib of each wing.
wing aside. The wing assembly is now completed. Tail Construction Locate the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, fin & rudder. Notice that the hinges are installed but not glued. Next, with a sharp #11 Xacto Blade, remove the covering from the bottom of the fin. Locate the fuselage and the stabilizer. Use masking tape on top of the stab and measure from each tip to locate the centerline of the stab. Place the stab on top of the fuselage and center it using the marks on the masking tape as a guide.
Now carefully remove the covering at the rear of the fuselage. Be careful not to remove the covering too far in front of the stab. Mark the top of the fuselage where the leading edge of the stab is located. Now turn the fuselage over and mark the stab along the fuselage sides. Mix a small amount of 30 minute epoxy and spread a thin coat on the exposed area of the stabilizer. Carefully place the stab on the fuselage and again tape in place.
Mix a small amount of 5minute epoxy and spread a thin coat on the stab where you removed the covering. Using a square, set the fin in place and hold with masking tape until dry. The front of the notch in the fin you cut earlier should be even with the rear of the stab. Using the fin as a guide, mark the top of the stabilizer so you will know where the front edge of the fin stops.
(Note, your kit may differ slightly from the prototype from which this manual was written. Your pieces may already be assembled, in which case you only need to glue the gear to the pre-assembled plate and epoxy it to the firewall.) Next, install the rudder using the method described above. Make sure the elevator does not bind on the rudder before you glue the hinges. Locate the wood landing gear mounting pieces and the wire landing gear.
Trial fit the gear mounting plate in the nose of the fuselage. It should be flush with the bottom of the fuselage and snug with the former. You may have to sand the edges slightly for a good fit. Next trial fit the cover plate. A little sanding of the edges may be needed for a good fit. Epoxy in place with 5-minute epoxy, using the epoxy to fill in any gaps between the landing gear and the mounting plates. Set the assembly aside until it is dry.
to locate the elevator and rudder control horns. Mount the control horns with the two #2 screws and nylon backing plate from the parts pack. two wheel collars on each side. Make sure the wheels turn freely. (Note: It may be necessary to put a slight “Z” bend in the pushrod like shown above to make it operate smoothly. Now it is time to install the servos. We used the Maxx Products MX-50 servos in the prototype. Locate the two 1/8 x ¼ x 2-1/4 spruce servo rails.
Center the servo arms and make a 90° bend in the rod. It may be necessary to cut off some of the excess rod. Using two keepers from the hardware pack, attach the pushrods to the servo arms. Next, using the hardware supplied with the servos, mount them to the servo rails. Motor Installation Prior to installing the motor, it is necessary to hook up the speed control. We used the Maxx Products # MX-9115. Follow the instructions supplied with your speed control prior to installing the motor in the airplane.
Slide the gear on the motor shaft and secure with the set screw. Use the gearbox as a guide to set the proper location on the shaft. (Note: Trial fit the prop on the adapter and ensure that the prop clears the nose. If it doesn’t, break the firewall loose, shim it out for proper prop clearance and re-glue.) Install the prop on the adapter and tighten. Next, attach the motor to the gearbox using two of the supplied screws. Cut a ¼” wide strip of magazine page to use as a gauge for the gear spacing.
With All radio gear and battery pack installed, the model should balance 2- 3/8” behind the leading edge of the wing measured at the fuselage, or just slightly behind the wing spar. Next install the side windows. They have been pre-cut but slight trimming may be necessary. When you are satisfied with the fit, apply a thin bead of RC56 Canopy Glue® around the edge of the window frames and insert the windows. Tape in place if necessary and allow the glue to dry overnight.
Mount your 1/2A motor on the firewall, using the laser-etched lines as a guide. You will need 4 #2 x 3/8” wood screws (not supplied). Remove the motor from the firewall and epoxy the firewall to the front bulkhead using 5-minute epoxy. When the 5-minute epoxy has cured, coat the entire engine compartment with 30 minute epoxy to fuel proof the bare wood. Now re-mount the motor to the firewall and make sure the prop will clear the nose of the airplane.
