INSTRUCTION MANUAL Wingspan: 79 in [2007 mm] Wing Area: 1168 sq in [75 dm2] Weight RTF: 12.5-14 lb [5670-6350 g] Wing Loading: 25-27 oz/sq ft [75-84 g/dm2] Length: 77 in [1956 mm] Engine: 1.50-1.80 cu in [25-30cc] two-stroke glow, 1.80-2.10 cu in [30-36cc] four-stroke glow, or 1.9-2.6 cu in [32-43 cc] gas WARRANTY Great Planes® Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION ...............................................................2 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS..................................................3 DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ........................................3 Radio Equipment.........................................................3 Engine Recommendations ..........................................4 Fuel Tank Setup...........................................................4 ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.......................
We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality, thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the quality and flyability of your finished model depends on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way guarantee the performance of your completed model, and no representations are expressed or implied as to the performance or safety of your completed model. PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF & OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 1.
Engine Recommendations ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED The recommended engine size range for the CAP 232 ARF is specified on the cover of this manual. All engines within the specified range will power this model well. At no time should an engine outside the recommended range be used to fly the CAP 232 because it has not been tested for such use. Powered by a two-stroke glow engine such as the O.S.® MAX 1.60 FX, the CAP 232 performs all aerobatic maneuvers with authority.
30-minute epoxy is specified it is highly recommended that you use only 30-minute (or 45-minute) epoxy, because you will need the working time and/or the additional strength. IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES • There are two types of screws used in this kit: • Photos and sketches are placed before the step they refer to. Frequently you can study photos in following steps to get another view of the same parts. Sheet metal screws are designated by a number and a length.
KIT INSPECTION Before starting to build, take an inventory of this kit to make sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they are of acceptable quality. If any parts are missing or are not of acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly, contact Great Planes Product Support. When reporting defective or missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in the Kit Contents list on this page. Great Planes Product Support: Telephone: (217) 398-8970, ext.
ASSEMBLE THE WING Before beginning assembly on your new Great Planes CAP 232, tighten all covering with an iron or heat gun if needed. Attach the Ailerons ❏ ❏ 3. Apply a small drop of oil to the pivot on each hinge. ❏ ❏ 1. Cut the covering away from the five predrilled holes in the left aileron and left wing panel. ❏❏ 4. Mix approximately 1/8 oz of 30-minute epoxy. Use a toothpick to thoroughly apply the epoxy in the holes in the aileron.
Install the Aileron Servos ❏ ❏ 5. Install the servo into the servo opening. Drill through the servo mounting holes with a 1/16" [1.6 mm] drill bit. Remove the servo from the servo opening. Install and then remove a servo mounting screw into each of the holes you have drilled. Apply a drop of thin CA into the holes to harden the threads. Once the glue has hardened, install the servo into the servo opening using the hardware included with your servo.
and aligning it with the servo. Mark the location for the screw holes. Drill pilot holes in the marks you made with a 1/16" [1.6 mm] drill bit, being careful not to drill through the aileron. Secure the control horn to the aileron with four #4 x 1/2" [13 mm] screws. Remove the screws, harden the holes with thin CA, and then reinstall the screws. HOW TO SOLDER A. Use denatured alcohol or other solvent to thoroughly clean the pushrod.
Join the Wing ❏ 4. Mix another large batch of 30-minute epoxy, 1 oz should do. Coat the other half of the wing joiner, wing joiner pocket and the two wing roots with 30-minute epoxy. Join the two wing halves and hold them together with masking tape until the epoxy has completely hardened. Clean up any excess epoxy with alcohol and a paper towel. ❏ 1. Locate the wing joiner. Measure and mark the centerline of the joiner. ❏ 2. Test fit the wing joiner in one half of the wing.
❏ 7. Locate the wing bolt plate. Remove the covering from ❏ 9. Glue the wing bolt in place using medium CA. After the plate is installed, run a bead of medium CA around the edges of the plate to prevent fuel from soaking into the balsa. the holes in the plate using a sharp hobby knife. ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE Install the Stab and Elevators ❏ 8. Align the holes in the wing bolt plate with the holes in the wing. Trace an outline around the wing bolt plate.
B A A=A B A B=B ❏ 4. Measure the distance from the tip of the stab to the tip ❏ 9. Locate the two elevator servo bays in the rear of the fuselage, one on each side of the fuselage. Remove the covering from these bays using a sharp hobby knife. Note there are two cutouts on each side that can accommodate a servo. Cut the covering from the servo bays closest to the top of the fuselage, nearest the stab. of each wing. Also measure the distance on each side of the fuselage.
Install the Radio Trays Note: This section applies to gas engines ONLY. ❏ 4. Align the radio trays as shown in the photo. Glue the radio trays in place using medium or thick CA. For added strength, epoxy may be used. ❏ 1. Locate the two 1/8" [3.2 mm] plywood radio trays. If you are installing a gasoline engine, these trays have cutouts for your throttle servo. Install the Rudder For the CAP 232, there are a couple of variations on how the rudder servos are installed.
❏ 3. Locate the two 3-3/4" [95 mm] aluminum double servo arm extensions supplied with this kit and two large servo wheels supplied by your servo manufacturer. For our manual we used Futaba servos and the large wheel supplied. Your manufacturer’s servo wheels may vary slightly. ❏ 7. Use four 2-56 x 3/8" [9.5 mm] machine screws and #2 washers to attach the extender to the wheel as shown. Be sure to add a drop of threadlocker to the screws. ❏ 4. Test fit the servo arm extension as shown.
❏ 11. Attach both servo arms to the servo, ensuring they are perfectly parallel. ❏ 13. Remove the covering from the two teardrop shaped pull-pull cable exits at the rear of the fuselage. ❏ 14. Trim the two rudder control horns as shown. This is necessary to allow the elevator halves to clear the horns. ❏ 15. Use a ruler to position the control horns on each side of the rudder. Align the holes in the control horn with the hinge line. Drill 1/16" [1.
❏ 16. Hold two ends of the pull-pull cable together, making sure they are even. Cut the cable at the midpoint to create two equal lengths. Route the non-threaded end of the cable through the hole in the rear of the fuselage. Pull the cable through the fuselage to the rudder servos. Clevis Clevis Retainer Threaded Coupler Swage Cable Nut ❏ 20. Connect the pull-pull cables to the aft rudder servo arm extension as shown. ❏ 17. Assemble one end of each half of the cable as shown ❏ 21.
Optional Rudder Servo Location (Gas Engine Installation) FRONT TAIL RUDDER ELEVATOR Servo Location for Glow Engine (recommended) Elevator Servos Rudder Servo Locations for Gas Engine (recommended) ❏ 1. For a typical gas engine installation, it is easiest to get the CAP 232 to balance by installing the rudder servos in the aft servo bays. These are located just behind and slightly below the elevator servo bays as shown in the sketch. ❏ 5.
❏ ❏ 3. File flat spots on the wheel axle where the wheel collar set screws will tighten down. A rotary tool with a flat grinding disc works well for this. ❏ 6. Mount the left and right landing gear assemblies to the fuselage using six 6-32 x 1-1/4" [32 mm] SHCS, six #6 washers, and six #6 lock washers as shown. ❏ ❏ 4. Reinstall the wheel collars and main wheel. Apply a small amount of thread locking compound to the wheel collar set screws and tighten them in place.
❏ ❏ 11. Slide the tail gear support into place as shown. Mark the 8. Locate the small cutout on the tail of the fuselage for the tail gear bearing. Remove the covering using a sharp hobby knife. location for the screw holes and drill 1/16" pilot holes at these marks. Attach the support to the fuselage using the supplied #2 x 1/4" [6 mm] screws.The height of the tail gear can be adjusted by loosening the set screw on the large wheel collar.
Glow Engine Installation NOTE: If using a gas engine, please refer to Optional Gas Engine Installation. ❏ 1. Cut the glow engine mount template from page 35. Use tape or spray adhesive to hold the template to the firewall. Align the vertical and horizontal lines on the template with the embossed lines on the firewall. ❏ 2. Use a large T-pin or a wire sharpened on the end to transfer the center of each bolt hole mark on the template into the firewall. ❏ 6. Place the engine in the mount.
Install the Throttle Servo (Glow Engine) Optional Gas Engine Installation ❏ Note: The fuel line and stopper included in the Great Planes CAP 232 ARF are NOT gasoline safe. Gasoline will degrade the rubber stopper and silicone fuel tubing supplied. You will need to purchase a gasoline safe stopper and gasoline safe tubing to use for the fuel system on this model. The Sullivan #484 Gasoline/Diesel fuel tank conversion kit (SULQ2684) works well for this. 1.
Install the Throttle Servo (Gas Engine) ❏ 3. Remove the template and enlarge the holes using a 1/4" [6 mm] drill bit. ❏ 4. Mix a small amount of 30-minute epoxy. Apply a few dabs of epoxy to the front of four 10-32 or 1/4" blind nuts (not included). Hold the blind nut against the back of the firewall and thread a 10-32 or 1/4" bolt (not included) with a washer into the blind nut. Tighten the bolt to draw the blind nut into the wood.
Gas Stopper Assembly Glow Stopper Assembly ❏ 1. Remove the stopper from the included fuel tank and replace it with a gas safe stopper such as the Sullivan #484 (SULQ2684) or Dubro #400 (DUBQ0675). ❏ 1. Locate the fuel tank. The hardware needed for the fuel tank assembly is inside of the tank. Remove the stopper and shake out the contents. ❏ 2. The fuel system for the CAP 232 uses three lines. There is a fill line, carb line, and vent line (to muffler).
Install the Fuel Tank TOP OF TANK VENT FILL AND CARB LINES ❏ 3. Cut two small strips of 1/4" [6.4 mm] foam (not included) approximately 1/2" [13 mm] wide. Insert these strips between the fuel tank and the former. Glue them in place using CA. Begin with the bottom piece of foam. You may need to temporarily remove the tank to glue in the bottom foam. ❏ 1. Insert the stopper and check the length of the fuel line and fill lines.
Install the Cowl ❏ 3. The two remaining hardwood blocks are glued on the top of the fuse as shown. Evenly space them apart. The exact location is not important. ❏ 1. Using 30 minute epoxy, glue a hardwood cowl mounting block flush with the side of the fuselage. Position the first block 1-1/2" [38 mm] from the bottom of the fuselage as shown. Remove the epoxy in the area where the block will mount with some medium grit sandpaper (220 grit works good for this) so that the epoxy will adhere better.
❏ 6. Hold the cowl in place with masking tape, or have a friend adjustments such as needle valves. Also make a cutout for the exhaust to clear the cowling. Shown in the photos are the cutouts we made for the OS 1.60 FX installation. Your cutouts may vary depending on the engine of choice. help you by holding it in place. Slide the cowl underneath the paper templates and mark the location of the center of the blocks on the cowl. ❏ 7. Drill 3/32" [2.
Route the Antenna ❏ 2. For a glow engine installation, you will need to use the spinner jam nut that is included with the spinner. It is tightened against the prop nut and washer as shown. It is pre-tapped to accept the spinner bolts. Two lengths of spinner bolts are included with the spinner. Depending on your prop selection and engine selection, you will need to choose which bolt is the best length for your needs. It may also be necessary to trim the length of the bolt to fit your installation.
Set the Control Throws GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY Due to the size of the control surfaces on the Great Planes CAP 232, use of a Great Planes AccuThrow is not possible for measuring throws. A ruler should be used to accurately measure and set the control throw of each control surface as indicated in the chart that follows. Check the Control Directions ❏ 1. Turn on the transmitter and receiver and center the trims.
incrementally increasing amounts of weight on the firewall box until the model balances. Once you have determined the amount of weight required, it can be permanently attached. If required, tail weight may be added by cutting open the bottom of the fuse and gluing it permanently inside. Balance the Model (C.G.) More than any other factor, the C.G. (balance point) can have the greatest effect on how a model flies, and may determine whether or not your first flight will be successful.
Balance Propellers ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in severe injury to yourself and others. • Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high heat, sparks or flames, as fuel is very flammable. Do not smoke near the engine or fuel; and remember that engine exhaust gives off a great deal of deadly carbon monoxide. Therefore do not run the engine in a closed room or garage. Carefully balance your propeller and spare propellers before you fly.
AMA SAFETY CODE (EXCERPTS) IMAA SAFETY CODE (EXCERPTS) Read and abide by the following excerpts from the Academy of Model Aeronautics Safety Code. For the complete Safety Code refer to Model Aviation magazine, the AMA web site or the Code that came with your AMA license. Since the Great Planes CAP 232 ARF qualifies as a “giant scale” model and is therefore eligible to fly in IMAA events, we’ve printed excerpts from the IMAA Safety Code which follows.
ADDITIONAL IMAA GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are included in the Safety Code not to police such items, but rather to offer basic suggestions for enhanced safety. 2. Arrow-shaft, fiberglass or aluminum, 1/4" or 5/16" OD. Bracing every six (6) to ten (10) inches is highly recommended. 3. Tube-in-tube (Nyrod). Bracing every few inches is highly recommended. Inner tube should be totally enclosed in outer tube. 4. Hardwood dowel, 3/8" OD.
❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ The Great Planes CAP 232 ARF is a great-flying model that flies smoothly and predictably. The Great Planes CAP 232 ARF does not, however, possess the self-recovery characteristics of a primary R/C trainer and should be flown only by experienced R/C pilots. 9. Reinforce holes for wood screws with thin CA where appropriate (servo mounting screws, cowl mounting screws, etc.). 10.
One final note about flying your model, have a goal or flight plan in mind for every flight. This can be learning a new maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know, or learning how the model behaves in certain conditions (such as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to improve your skills (though it is never a bad idea!), but more importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively attempting a maneuver and suddenly finding that you’ve run out of time, altitude or airspeed.
ENGINE MOUNT TEMPLATE FOR FUJI-IMVAC BT-43EIS 5mm [10-32] Engine Bolt Holes Drill 1/4" [6.4 mm] holes for carb and vent lines. Glow Engine Mounting Template (Dashed outline depicts spacing for O.S. Max 1.60 FX) Drill 1/4" [6.4 mm] holes for carb and muffler lines. Drill 13/64" [5.2 mm] or 3/16" [4.
OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE Great Planes® Ultimate Biplane 1.60 ARF GPMA1307 Wingspan: 65 in (1650 mm) Wing Area: 1446 sq in (93 dm2) Weight: 12.5 lb (5670 g) Wing Loading: 20 oz/sq in (61 g/dm2) Length: 72 in (1830mm) Requires: 1.60 cu in (26 cc) glow or 43cc gasoline engine 4-7 channel radio w/8-9 servos, fuel and support equipment The Ultimate Bipe 1.