P-38/F-5E Lightning 400 ARF Assembly Manual Specifications Wingspan: Length: Wing Area: Weight w/o Battery: Weight w/Battery: 48 in (1219mm) 35 in (889mm) 307 sq in (19.
Table of Contents Specifications.........................................................................1 Introduction............................................................................2 Using the Manual...................................................................3 Replacement Parts...................................................................3 Required and Recommended Radio Equipment.........................4 Important Information About Motor Selection............................
Using the Manual This manual is divided into sections to help make assembly easier to understand, and to provide breaks between each major section. In addition, check boxes have been placed next to each step to keep track of each step completed. Steps with a single circle () are performed once, while steps with two circles ( ) indicate that the step will require repeating, such as for a right or left wing panel, two servos, etc. Remember to take your time and follow the directions.
Required and Recommended Radio Equipment You will need a 3-channel or greater transmitter (at least 4-channel with optional rudders and/or steerable nose wheel), crystals (if applicable), micro receiver, and 3 sub-micro servos (or up to 6 if using the optional rudders and steerable nose wheel). You can choose to purchase a complete radio system that includes most of these items or, if you are using an existing transmitter, simply purchase the other required equipment separately.
Important Information About Motor Selection The P-38/F-5E has been extensively tested with the motors and power systems we recommend. The use of motors, especially those capable of higher power output than those suggested, is not recommended. Recommended Brushed Motor Power System Setup This power system offers very scale-like performance and plenty of power for all aerobatic maneuvers.
Required Tools and Adhesives Tools & Equipment #0 Phillips Screwdriver (EFLA258) #1 Phillips Screwdriver (EFLA257) 1.5mm Hex Driver/Wrench (EFLA253) Tapered Reamer (DYN5515) Pin Vise/Drill (XAC7144) Drill bit: .
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.
Non-Warranty Repairs Should your repair not be covered by warranty the repair will be completed and payment will be required without notification or estimate of the expense unless the expense exceeds 50% of the retail purchase cost. By submitting the item for repair you are agreeing to payment of the repair without notification. Repair estimates are available upon request. You must include this request with your repair. Non-warranty repair estimates will be billed a minimum of ½ hour of labor.
Elevator Servo Installation 2. Remove the servo cover from the bottom of the left boom by lifting it from the rear. 3. Locate a 10 3/4 in (273mm) pushrod wire and remove the clevis. Slide the wire into the pre-installed tube in the fuselage threaded end first. The correct tube will exit near the elevator control horn.
4. Thread the clevis back onto the pushrod wire. 5. Secure a 12 in (305mm) servo extension onto the servo lead. Use string to secure the servo lead to the servo extension. 6. Pass the extension forward in the boom and underneath the plywood servo tray. The extension will exit the boom in the opening for the wing.
7. Position the elevator servo in the servo tray on the side with the "S9" decal with the output shaft towards the front of the boom. Secure the servo using the hardware provided with the servo. 9. Attach the receiver to the fuselage using the included double-sided tape. Plug the elevator servo extension into the elevator channel of the receiver. Note: Use the manufacturer's instructions for routing your antenna.
11. With the radio system still powered on, attach the pushrod wire to the servo arm. It may be necessary to enlarge the hole in the servo arm using a drill bit or sharp hobby knife so the Z-bend can move freely in the arm, but with no slop. Install the servo arm on the servo so it is as close to perpendicular with the pushrod as possible. Secure the servo arm to the servo using the screw provided with the servo.
Rudder Installation (Optional) Required Parts • Fuselage/center section assembly • CA hinge (6) • Y-harness • 2mm x 12mm screw (4) • Servo w/hardware (2) • Control horn w/backplate (2) • Servo extension, 12 in (305mm) (2) • Pushrod wire w/clevis, 10 3/4 in (273mm) (2) 2. Use a hobby knife to cut three slots into the rudder as shown. Required Tools and Adhesives • Hobby knife • Felt-tipped pen • Thin or medium foam-safe CA Note: The installation of the rudders is optional.
3. If using medium foam-safe CA, apply a small amount to one half of the hinge. Make sure to apply CA to both sides of the hinge where it will be inserted into the rudder. If using thin foam-safe CA, the hinges can be inserted into slots in the rudder and fin without glue. Then the CA can be applied in the middle of the hinge so that it will soak into both surfaces. 14 4. Slide the hinge into the slot made in the previous step. Install the three hinges into the rudder.
5. Attach the control horn to the outside of the rudder using the backplate and two 2mm x 12mm screws. 6. Position the rudder against the fin. Use a felt-tipped pen to mark the location of the hinges onto the fin. Note: Make sure to mount the horn on the outside of each rudder. 7. Use a hobby knife to cut slots for the hinges in the fin.
8. Test fit the rudder. Check that it can move freely without binding against the elevator. Trim the rudder or hinge slots in the fin as necessary. Complete the rudder installation by applying foam-safe CA to the hinges and sliding the hinges into the slots in the fin. Be sure to set just enough gap between the fin and rudder to allow free movement of the rudder to the left and right. 16 9. Install the rudder servo using the same procedure used for the elevator servo.
10. Repeat Steps 1 though 9 to install the second rudder servo. The control horn is mounted on the rudder facing away from the elevator. The rudder servo is positioned with the servo arm pointing to the inside of the boom. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual 11. Install the servo hatches back into position.
Brushless Motor Installation Required Parts • Fuselage/center section assembly • Brushless outrunner motor (2) • Outrunner stick mount (2) • 1.5mm x 12mm screw (2) • Brushless ESC (2) • 14- or 16-Gauge silicone wire • 3mm x 10mm machine screw (4) • 4mm spacer (4) • Propeller (standard and reverse rotation) • Spinner assembly (standard and reverse rotation) 1. Attach the outrunner motor to the outrunner motor mount using four 3mm x 10mm machine screws and four 4mm spacers.
Hint: Use a hobby knife to cut a notch in the boom so you can use the razor saw to cut the mount. Note: The dimension of 1 1/4 in (31mm) is for the E-flite Park 450 Brushless motor (EFLM1400). Using a different motor will change the length required for the mount. 4. Plug the motor leads into the speed control motor leads. Check the motor stick to make sure it is secure in the boom. Apply foam-safe CA as necessary to make sure the motor stick is secure.
5. Solder both sets of motor leads together with a male EC3 connector. Make sure to solder the positive to positive and negative to negative. Check operation of the motors. The left-hand motor (when viewed from behind) should rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the front. The right-hand motor (when viewed from behind) should rotate clockwise when viewed from the front. 6. Remove the backing from the factory installed doublesided tape on the sides of the boom.
Note: Never check the motor rotation on the bench with the propeller installed. The plane could move and cause serious injury. Always check the motor without the propeller to avoid injury. Important Information About Your Propeller It is very important to check to be sure the propeller is balanced before installing on the propeller shaft. An unbalanced propeller may damage the motor, airframe and other components, or cause poor flight and performance characteristics. 7.
8. Snap the spinner cone onto the spinner backplate. Brushed Motor Installation Required Parts • Fuselage/center section assembly • Gearbox assembly (2) • 14 or 16GA silicone wire • Brushed motor (2) • 1.5mm x 12mm screw (2) • Electronic speed control • Double-sided tape • Propeller (standard and reverse rotation) • Spinner assembly (standard and reverse rotation) Required Tools and Adhesives • Phillips screwdriver • Double-sided tape • Soldering iron • Solder 22 9.
2. Install the brushed motor in the gearbox using the hardware provided with the gearbox. Check the gear mesh to make sure it is not set too loose or tight and adjust as necessary. 3. Check the motor stick to make sure it is secure in the boom. Apply foam-safe CA as necessary to make sure the motor stick is secure. Then slide the gearbox onto the stick and secure it using a 1.5mm x 12mm screw. Route the motor wires through the channel in the bottom of the wing to the center fuselage.
5. Install the speed control inside the fuselage. Solder both sets of motor leads to the speed control, positive to positive and negative to negative. 6. Check the operation of the motors. The left-hand gearbox shaft (when viewed from behind) should rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the front. The righthand gearbox shaft (when viewed from behind) should rotate clockwise when viewed from the front.
7. Remove the backing from the double-sided tape on the sides of the boom. Slide the cowling onto the boom, pressing it against the tape once you have confirmed proper alignment. Note: Never check the motor rotation on the bench with the propeller installed. The plane could move and cause serious injury. Always check the motor without the propeller to avoid injury.
9. Snap the spinner cone onto the spinner backplate. Aileron Servo Installation Required Parts • Fuselage/center section assembly • Double-sided tape • 3mm x 35mm screw (2) • Wing panels • Servo w/hardware (2) • Servo extension, 9" (228mm) (2) • Y-harness • 3mm x 25mm screw (2) 1 • Pushrod wire w/clevis, 2 /4 in (57mm) (2) Required Tools and Adhesives • Phillips screwdriver 1. Plug the Y-harness for the aileron servos into the receiver.
2. Turn on the transmitter and apply power to the receiver. Check that the aileron servo is operating properly. Center the aileron trim and control stick and set any sub-trims to 0. Attach the servo arm to the servo so it is as close to perpendicular as possible when the servo is in the neutral position. 4. Remove the backing from the pre-installed doublesided tape on the wing panel cover.
5. Attach the aileron servo pushrod and linkage as shown. 7. Slide the spar from the wing panel into the tube located in the fuselage. Slide the wing into the fuselage and secure it using the 3mm x 45mm screw in the front and the 3mm x 35mm screw in the rear. 6. Plug the servo extension and servo lead together. Note: It may be necessary to slide the wing in and out of the slot in the boom a few times so that the fit is not too tight.
9. Remove the backing from the pre-installed doublesided tape on the center section cover. Position the servo and motor/ESC leads in the channel in the wing and attach the center section cover after removing the backing from the factory-installed double-sided tape. You can also use clear tape around the edges of the cover so it is more secure during flight. Note: If you need to remove the center section cover after you have taped it down, use caution as it could pull up your paint with it.
2. Slide the nose gear into position. 3. Place a piece of double-sided tape onto the bottom of the steering servo and install it in the nose as shown. Use a 1.5mm hex wrench to secure the steering arm on the nose gear wire so that the arm is as close to perpendicular to the nose wheel as possible. Install the servo arm so it is as close to parallel with the steering arm as possible when the servo in the neutral position.
4. Use glue to install the drop tanks permanently, or use double-sided tape so they can be removed in the future. Final Assembly Required Parts • Assembled airframe • Motor battery 1. Install the motor battery into the fuselage. Use the hook and loop strap to keep it from falling out during flight. Note: When using our recommended Brushed Motor Power System, you MUST use a separate BEC or receiver battery pack to power the radio gear if using more than 3 servos.
32 2. Install the receiver battery and switch in the fuselage and plug the switch into the receiver. Or, you can choose not to use a switch and simply plug and unplug the receiver battery from the receiver directly before and after flight. 3. Install the center section hatch to complete the assembly of your P-38/F-5E Lightning.
Center of Gravity An important part of preparing the aircraft for flight is properly balancing the model. Control Throws 1. Turn on the transmitter and receiver of your aircraft. 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 ailerons using the transmitter.
5. Once the control throws have been verified, slide the clevis retainers onto the clevises to prevent them from opening during flight. Preflight Check Your Radio Before going to the field, be sure that your batteries are fully charged per the instructions included with your radio. Charge both the transmitter and receiver pack for your airplane. Use the recommended charger supplied with your particular radio system, following the instructions provided with the radio.
2007 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code GENERAL 1) I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows or model flying demonstrations until it has been proven to be airworthy by having been previously, successfully flight tested. 2) I will not fly my model higher than approximately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. I will give right-of-way and avoid flying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.
© 2007 Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, Illinois 61822 (877) 504-0233 9941 horizonhobby.com E-fliteRC.
