F-86 Sabre 15 DF Assembly Manual Specifications Wingspan: Length: Wing Area: Weight w/o Battery: Weight w/Battery: Pilot not included (PKZ7003) 33.8 in (860mm) 35.4 in (900mm) 256 sq in (16.
Table of Contents Introduction............................................................ 2 Important Information Regarding Warranty Information......................................... 2 Using the Manual.................................................... 2 Contents of Kit/Parts Layout..................................... 2 Recommended Radio Equipment.............................. 3 Required Brushless Ducted Fan Setup........................ 3 Required Tools and Adhesives..................................
Recommended Radio Equipment You will need a minimum 4-channel transmitter, receiver and five servos. You can choose to purchase a complete radio system. If you are using an existing transmitter, just purchase the other required equipment separately. We recommend the crystalfree, interference-free Spektrum™ DX6i 2.4GHz DSM® 6-channel system. If using your own transmitter, we recommend the following radio equipment.
Small Parts This kit includes small parts and should not be left unattended near children as choking and serious injury could result. Safety Precautions This is a sophisticated hobby Product and not a toy. It must be operated with caution and common sense and requires some basic mechanical ability. Failure to operate this Product in a safe and responsible manner could result in injury or damage to the Product or other property.
4. Lightly sand the aileron servo mount using medium grit sandpaper. This allows the glue to penetrate into the mount and provides a better bond between the mount and wing. 5. Mix a small amount of 6-minute epoxy and brush it onto the side of the aileron servo mount that was sanded in the previous step. Position the mount in the wing as shown in Step 3 and allow the epoxy to fully cure before proceeding. 6. Use a hobby knife with a #11 blade to enlarge 8.
10. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver and two 2.5mm x 12 sheet metal screws to secure the servo in the servo mount using the servo mounting strap. Install one screw and only turn it one or two turns, then install the second screw. Tighten the strap with even pressure at both the front and back of the servo. 12. Tie the string around the end of the servo lead as shown.
2. Locate the two holes for the aileron control horn in the aileron. The holes should be located directly behind the servo arm. Use a hobby knife with a #11 blade or pin vise with a 1/16-inch (1.5mm) drill bit to remove the covering for the aileron control horn. Use care not to accidentally make holes through to the top of the aileron. 3. Use side cutters to trim the pins on the control horn to a length of 1/8-inch (3mm) so they don’t extend through the top of the aileron.
8. Slide the pushrod connector onto the pushrod wire at this time. The connector can’t be installed after the wire has been bent to fit into the control horn so it must be positioned at this time. 9. With the aileron servo centered and the radio system on, use a felt-tipped pen to mark the wire where it crosses the hole of the control horn as shown. 8 10. Use pliers to make a 90-degree bend in the pushrod wire. The bend must be angled to fit into the control horn. 12.
14. Use a hobby knife and #11 blade or hobby 15. Use the tape provided with the model to attach scissors to trim the aileron servo cover. Lines have the cover to the wing. Make sure the aileron servo been embossed on the cover to be used as a guide. can operate without having the linkage binding on Make sure the opening for the linkage is angled the cover. slightly so the linkage doesn’t bind on the cover.
2. Carefully lift the canopy hatch from the fuselage. The canopy is held in position by magnets and alignment pegs at the rear and a peg at the front. 3. Slide the short and long wing rods into one of the wing panels. The longer wing rod will be inserted near the trailing edge of the wing, and the shorter rod toward the leading edge of the wing. 10 4. Slide the wing tubes into the fuselage.
7. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 to prepare the opposite side of the fuselage for the wing. 10. Apply a thin coat of 15-minute epoxy on the end of the wing that will butt against the fuselage. 12. Repeat Steps 8 through 11 to install the remaining wing panel to the fuselage. 8. Apply a thin layer of 15-minute epoxy to the fuselage where it was sanded previously. 11. Slide the wing into position against the fuselage.
Stabilizer Installation Required Parts Stabilizer jig center Stabilizer jig side (2) Right stabilizer Left stabilizer Airframe assembly Required Tools and Adhesives Medium CA Square 6-minute epoxy Mixing cup Mixing stick Epoxy brush Paper towel Rubbing alcohol Low-tack tape Waxed paper Ruler Felt-tipped pen Hobby knife with #11 blade 12 1. Use a square and medium CA to glue the stabilizer jig center to the stabilizer jig side.
6. Place a piece of clear plastic or waxed paper over the stabilizer jig to prevent gluing the stabilizer directly to the jig. 8. Mix a small amount of 6-minute epoxy and use an epoxy brush to apply a thin layer of epoxy on the edges of each stabilizer half. 7. Position the two stabilizer halves together (remember the angle) and align the front edges of the stabilizer halves. Use a small piece of lowtack tape to act as a hinge and keep the halves aligned.
13. Use a felt-tipped pen to trace the outline of the fuselage onto the top, bottom, left and right of the stabilizer. 14. Remove the stabilizer from the fuselage. Carefully use a hobby knife to remove the covering 1/16-inch (1.5mm) from inside the lines. Use light pressure with a new #11 blade to avoid cutting into the underlying wood. You will need to trim the covering from the top and bottom of the stabilizer at this time. 12. Step back about 4–5 feet (1.2–1.
15. Reinstall the stabilizer and check all of the alignments from steps 10–12. Use medium CA to glue the stabilizer to the fuselage. Apply a bead of CA to the joint inside the fuselage, both right and left. Wick thin CA on the top of the stabilizer/ fuselage joint by holding the nose down. Use care not to let the CA wick out on the outside of the fuselage or stabilizer. Elevator Installation 3. Place the elevator into position. The hinges will fit into the pre-cut slots in the stabilizer.
5. Use thin CA to glue the three hinges. Apply CA to the top and bottom of each hinge, enough that it fully soaks into the hinge. 7. Break in the elevator hinges by moving the elevator through its range of motion a few times. This will help in reducing the initial load on the servo and make the control surfaces easier to move initially.
3. Test fit the hinges into the rudder. Each of the hinges will fit with the pin in the knuckle recessed in the hinge line as shown. The hinge line of the rudder is set back from the edge of the rudder as illustrated in the second photo. Hinge point of rudder 4. Check the fit of all three hinges. The top two may require adjustments if not trimmed properly in Step 2. 5. Mix a small amount of 6-minute epoxy. Apply the epoxy in each hinge pocket using a toothpick.
8. Check the fit of the rudder to the fin. Start by setting the hinges for about 45-degrees of throw. Insert the bottom hinge, then work upward inserting the middle then top hinge. 9. Once the fit has been checked, use 6-minute epoxy to glue the hinges in place. You will need to remove the rudder so you can use a toothpick to apply epoxy in the hinge pockets of the fuselage and to the hinges. Use rubbing alcohol and a paper towel to remove any excess epoxy from the hinges or rudder.
2. Remove the arm from the servo. Use side cutters to remove any arms that will not be used. 3. Use a pin vise and 5/64-inch (2mm) drill bit to enlarge the hole in the servo arm. 5. Slide a 2mm washer on the threaded end of the pushrod connector. 7. Install the servo horn on the servo using the screw provided with the servo and a #1 Phillips screwdriver. 8. Install the servo grommets and brass eyelets in the servo.
Do not enlarge the holes in the fuselage rails as some are used for the hatch alignment. 11. Secure the elevator servo in the fuselage using the screws provided with the servo and a #1 Phillips screwdriver. 9. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to thread the servo mounting screw into the four holes for mounting the elevator servo. 12. Use a hobby knife and #11 blade to remove the covering to expose the holes to mount the elevator control horn.
15. Use a hobby knife with a #11 blade to remove the covering 1/32-inch (1mm) inside the line drawn. 16.Use medium CA to glue the control horn to the elevator. Allow the CA to cure before proceeding to the next step. 17. Slide a pushrod connector on the 19 11/16-inch (500mm) pushrod wire. 18. Bend the pushrod wire as shown so it does not bind when operating the elevator. You will need to make a left and right pushrod. 1-inch (25mm) 19.
Rudder Servo and Linkage Installation 21. Repeat Steps 12 through 19 to install the remaining control horn and pushrod wire. 2. Use the radio system to center the rudder servo. Note the direction of the servo arm in relationship to the servo. 3. Use a pin vise and 1/16-inch (1.5mm) drill bit to enlarge the hole in the servo arm as shown.
4. Use a hobby knife and #11 blade or side cutters to remove the excess servo arm so it does not interfere with the intake tube when it is installed. 5. Insert the micro pushrod connector in the hole. It should move freely in the hole. E-flite F-86 Sabre 15 DF ARF Assembly Manual 6. Install the nylon backplate on the pushrod connector to secure the connector to the servo horn. 7.
10. Slide a pushrod connector on the 19 11/16-inch (500mm) pushrod wire. 12. Center the rudder and the rudder servo. Use a 2mm x 4mm machine screw to secure the pushrod wires in the pushrod connector. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screw. Use side cutters to trim the excess length of the pushrod wire so it does not interfere with the operation of the servo.
2. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the two 2mm x 8mm sheet metal screws that secure the landing gear strap to the bottom of the wing. The holes for the straps are pre located in the wing. 4. Slide a main wheel and wheel collar onto the landing gear wire. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver and 2mm x 8mm machine screw to secure the wheel. Remember to use threadlock on the screw to prevent it from vibrating loose. 3.
During manufacturing the end of the nose gear wire may be slightly enlarged due to cutting. If this happens use a file to reduce the diameter of the end of the wire so that it slides smoothly through the bushings. 9. Slide the steering bellcrank on the nose gear wire from inside the fuselage. Use a 1.5mm hex wrench and 3mm x 3mm setscrew to secure the steering arm to the nose gear wire. The nose gear wire will fit flush at the top of the steering arm.
4. Insert the steering pushrod in the hole of the servo arm. Position the servo so the nose gear is aligned with the fuselage centerline so it will taxi straight down the runway. Use a felt-tipped pen to mark the fuselage where the servo rests. 6. Use 6-minute epoxy to glue the servo mount in the fuselage. Once the epoxy fully cures, secure the servo using the servo mounting strap and two 2.5mm x 10mm sheet metal screws. Tighten the screws using a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
Note: When flying your model in locations where the air temperature is very high, you will need to mount the ESC between the wing rods. Cut a hole in the bottom of the fuselage so the fins of the ESC can be exposed to the air flow outside of the fuselage. This keeps the ESC cool and prevents over-heating. 3. Insert the leads from the speed control through the hole in the former in the fuselage as shown. 4.
Intake Tube Installation 3. Locate the intake tube. The circular end will fit to the rear of the fuselage. The front is egg-shaped to match the intake of the fuselage and the flatter side will face to the bottom of the fuselage. 4. Place the hook and loop tape on the intake tube at this time. This will prevent you from accidentally looping the tape around the steering linkage wire. Required Parts Assembled airframe Intake tube Hook and loop strap 1.
5. Insert the intake tube into the fuselage. Slide it forward so it keys to the intake of the fuselage. The tube will be secured after the fan has been installed. Fan Installation 2. Pass the wires through the fan fairing. 3. Use two 2mm x 6mm machine screws and a #1 Phillips screwdriver to attach the fan fairing to the motor. Note that the fairing faces to the bottom of the fan unit.
4. Cut a paper template to locate where the fan fairing will exit the exhaust tube. Make sure the template fits tightly against the mounting lugs as the overall width of the template will be used for positioning. 5. Use a felt-tipped pen to mark the edge of the fan unit on the template. Make a mark for both of the mounting lugs. E-flite F-86 Sabre 15 DF ARF Assembly Manual 6. Align the template on the exhaust tube.
32 10. Place 2–3 drops of thin CA in each hole to harden the surrounding wood. This hardens the wood, making the screws more secure. 12. Fit the fan unit into the fuselage with the fan fairing facing to the bottom of the fuselage. Make sure to fit the fan into the intake tube and that all the screw holes for mounting the fan are visible through the mounting lugs. Secure the fan unit in the fuselage using four 2mm x 8mm sheet metal screws. Tighten the screws using a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
3. Position the exhaust tube so it overlaps onto the fan assembly. 4. Use a felt-tipped pen to trace the outline of the fuselage on the exhaust tube. E-flite F-86 Sabre 15 DF ARF Assembly Manual 5. Remove the exhaust tube and use hobby scissors to trim the exhaust tube at the line drawn in the previous step to match the outline of the fuselage. 7. Use clear tape at the bottom and both sides of the thrust tube to secure the tube at the rear of the fuselage. 6.
Securing the Intake Tube Required Parts Assembled airframe Plywood intake mounting plate (2) Plywood intake mounting gusset (4) 2mm x 6mm sheet metal screw (4) 2. Place the assembly on the rest in the fuselage. 4. Use 2–3 drops of thin CA to harden the The gussets should rest lightly on the intake tube. If surrounding wood for the screws. This makes the they are deforming the intake tube, you may need screws more secure when they are installed. to sand the plywood plate or stop as necessary.
Canopy Assembly Required Parts Canopy hatch Clear tape Required Parts Cockpit Pilot figure (optional) Motor battery Hook and loop tape Assembled airframe Canopy hatch assembly Required Tools and Adhesives Hobby scissors Motor Battery Installation 3. Use clear tape to hold the cockpit in the canopy hatch. Required Tools and Adhesives Hobby scissors 1. Use hobby scissors to trim the cockpit along the molded lines. 1. Cut a piece of hook and loop tape that is 41/2 inches (115mm) long.
3. Position the motor battery in the fuselage and use the hook and loop strap to secure it inside the fuselage. Decal Placement Required Parts Decal sheet Assembled airframe Required Tools and Adhesives Hobby scissors Hobby knife with #11 blade 36 4. Place the canopy hatch on the fuselage. 1. Use hobby scissors and a hobby knife with a #11 blade to cut the decals from the decal sheet. Apply the decals to the airfame following one of the schemes shown.
Control Throws After the first flights, the CG position can be adjusted for your personal preference. 1. Turn on the transmitter and receiver of your model. Check the movement of the rudder using the transmitter. When the stick is moved right, the rudder should also move right. Reverse the direction of the servo at the transmitter if necessary. 2. Check the movement of the elevator with the radio system.
Preflight Check Your Radio Before going to the field, be sure your batteries are fully charged per the instructions included with your radio. Charge the transmitter and motor battery for your airplane. Use the recommended charger supplied with your particular radio system, following the instructions provided with the radio. In most cases, the radio should be charged the night before going out flying. Before each flying session, be sure to range check your radio.
Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Pilots • Check all control surfaces prior to each takeoff. • o not fly your model near spectators, parking D areas or any other area that could result in injury to people or damage of property. • o not fly during adverse weather conditions. Poor D visibility can cause disorientation and loss of control of your aircraft. Strong winds can cause similar problems. • • o not take chances.
Damage Limits HORIZON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR PRODUCTION OR COMMERCIAL LOSS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCT, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS BASED IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY. Further, in no event shall the liability of Horizon exceed the individual price of the Product on which liability is asserted.
United Kingdom: Electronics and engines requiring inspection or repair should be shipped to the following address: Horizon Hobby UK Units 1-4 Ployters Rd Staple Tye Harlow, Essex CM18 7NS United Kingdom Please call +44 (0) 1279 641 097 or e-mail us at sales@horizonhobby.co.uk with any questions or concerns regarding this product or warranty.
8. 9. I will not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices which explode burn, or propel a projectile of any kind. Exceptions include Free Flight fuses or devices that burn producing smoke and are securely attached to the model aircraft during flight. Rocket motors up to a G-series size may be used, provided they remain firmly attached to the model aircraft during flight.
BLUE RED YELLOW E-flite F-86 Sabre 15 DF ARF Assembly Manual 43
© 2010 Horizon Hobby, Inc. horizonhobby.com www.e-fliterc.
