Required Tools: Hobby Knife (# M917) Philips #1 Screwdriver Sanding Block (150grit) Pliers/Wire Cutters

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1 Thanks for choosing the Combat Wings - XE2 as your next or first model airplane. The XE2 s wings are made from 100% EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam which is extremely durable. For this reason, the XE2 is recommended for builders and flyers of all skill levels. The XE2 will loop, roll, and fly inverted with ease. The target weight of this airplane is 25 oz. and is designed for use with standard size radio gear. Please read the instructions carefully before you start to assemble anything. To make things easier for you, we have created a very detailed set of picture instructions following each step involved in the building process. Visit our website for videos, pictures, and message board tech support which is available 24/7. We have also setup a technical support line at Parts List: EPP Foam Wing Cores (2) Carbon Fiber Spar (1) Coroplast Wing Tips (2) Pre-Cut Balsa Elevons (2) Du-Bro Control Horns (2) Stainless Steel Screws (4) Metal Clevises (2) Control Rods 2-56 (2) Stainless Steel Motor Mount (1) 2.5mm Motor Screws (2) 5x5 White Plastic Prop (1) Combat Wings Speed 400 Motor (1) 9.6v Battery Pack (not in basic kit) 20A Speed Control (not in basic kit) Required Tools: Hobby Knife (# M917) Philips #1 Screwdriver Sanding Block (150grit) Pliers/Wire Cutters Required Radio Gear: Standard Size Servos (# S601) 20amp Speed Control (# E531) Micro/Standard Size Receiver 3 Channel Radio w/mixing (# R401) Recommended/Required* Accessories: 2 Strapping Tape (# M901)* 3/4 Strapping Tape (# M902) 1 Hinge Tape (# M904) Covering Tape (# M )* 3M 77 Spray Glue (# M915)* Shoe Goo (# M916)* Battery Charger (# C702) Extra Flight Packs (# B803) Most of these items are available on our website or at most hobby stores. Part numbers refer to our website. Warranty/Disclaimer: Combat Wings guarantees all of our unassembled kits to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover incorrect application, incorrect installation, components worn by use, tampering, misuse or shipping. No liability shall be assumed nor accepted by Combat Wings for any damage resulting from the use by the user of our product. If you do not agree with these terms, please return the kit immediately to the place of purchase for a full refund.

2 Step 1: Remove the wing core (airfoil) from the upper and lower wing beds. Save the bottom wing beds as they can be used to build the wing in. This will keep your wing flat on the table while working. Step 2: Sand off any melted foam debris using a piece of scrap foam or using 150 grit sandpaper. Step 3: Spray the center of the wings with a heavy coat of 3M 77 spray glue and spread evenly. Let the glue dry for about 5-10 minutes before you proceed. Note: The new 3M 77 spray glue is safe for use with EPP foam and will NOT melt the wing cores. Step 4: Install the carbon rod in the pre-drilled hole and slide the wings together. This step must be done immediately after the 5-10 minute drying period from Step 3. Note: If wings do not stick together, you can repeat Step 3 with a shorter drying period. Step 5: Use a marker to trace the exact size of your radio gear in the locations pre-marked. Servos on each side, receiver behind the left servo, esc behind the right servo. Note: Marked locations are for Standard Size Gear. Using smaller gear will require lead weight in the nose to balance the wing (1-4oz. is common). Step 6: Use a hobby knife to cut out the foam deep enough to install your gear flush with the surface of the airfoil. You will remove the foam inside the markings in Step 7.

3 Step 7: Remove the foam inside the marked areas with a pair of pliers so that your radio gear can be installed. Note: Remove only enough foam so that your gear fits in place below the surface of the airfoil. Step 8: You will need to install the correct servo horn on your servo before you can install the gear. Find the horn with two arms on it and cut one arm off. If your horn has 4 arms you will need to cut 3 of them off. Step 9: Use Hot Melt Glue, Shoe Goo, Goop, or 3M 77 to glue your radio gear in place. Hold in place until glue dries or use masking tape for glues with longer drying periods. Note: Servos lay on there side with the horn sticking up. Step 10: Use the hobby knife to cut slots for the wiring. The right servo wire fits best across the front of the battery compartment (see picture). The plug on the ESC, has to be plugged into your throttle channel not the battery slot. Run this wire behind the battery compartment. Extra wires can be stored behind the receiver. Step 11: Press the antenna wire into a 1/4 deep cut made with a hobby knife. The antenna is longer than the wing, so you will need run the extra wire back toward the center of the wing or you can let it hang out the side of the wing. Refer to Step 38 to ensure gear is hooked up correctly. Step 12: The foam around the motor will need to be cut to allow clearance for the prop. Use the hobby knife to make the cuts and remove the foam. The markings are made to fit the 5x5 prop that is included with the kit. If you are going to use other props, make sure it will clear the foam before you continue.

4 Step 13: Spray a light coat of 3M 77 over the center section of the wing were the radio gear is installed. Let glue dry for about 5 minutes and continue on to Step 14 where you will be applying the strapping reinforcement tape. Note: Always use 3M 77 before applying any tape. Step 14: Using 2 pieces of the strapping tape, cover the radio gear and center section to add strength to the nose. Note: Do a nice job here as wrinkles in the tape will show up later when you cover the wing. Step 15: Make sure you covered all the gear with strapping tape. Your servo horns should stick up about 1/4 above the airfoil so that you can hook up your linkage at the end. The wires from the ESC should be left hanging out of the wing. These will later get hooked up to the motor and a plug installed to connect to the battery. Step 16: Repeat the strapping tape pattern on the bottom of the wing. This will give you the required added strength in the center section of the wing. Remember: Always spray 3M 77 before taping! Step 17: Apply a piece of 3/4 strapping tape along the trailing edge from the tip of the wing, all the way to the center where the motor cutout begins. This will give the wings strength and help prevent them from flexing during high stress maneuvers. Step 18: Repeat Step 17 on the top of the wing. For brushless motors, we recommend you add additional strapping tape to strengthen the wings. You may also want to use extra spars in the wings (# P017).

5 Step 19: Apply another piece of 3/4 strapping tape along the leading edge from the tip to the center of the wing. Step 20: Your wing should now have strapping tape in all the proper locations and look similar to the picture above. Step 21: Before covering the wing with the colored tape, you will need to spray it with 3M 77 to help the tape stick. Let the glue dry for about 5 minutes. Option: You can use Ultracote or Econocote in place of the colored tape. Still need to use the 3M 77 with them. Step 22: Apply the colored tape starting on the top at the trailing edge. Work your way forward until the whole wing is covered. Trim the edges with a hobby knife and allow for about 1/2 of overlap. Step 23: Continue covering the top of the wing. Add any designs you like. Consider using different colors of tape to create nice designs. Also keep in mind, that you will want top and bottom to be different so you don t get confused while flying. Step 24: Top is now covered with the design we choose for this wing. The bottom of the wing still needs to be covered. Note: The motor mount is not installed at this point.

6 Step 25: Now you can install the motor mount. Use Shoe Goo, Goop, or Hot Glue to glue the motor mount in place on the bottom of the wing. Step 26: Alignment is very important at this point. You need to get the motor mount straight and centered in your cut out. If not, your motor will be off center and the prop may not clear the cut out you made earlier. Step 27: After gluing the motor mount in place, you will need to add some additional reinforcement. Do this by taping over the motor mount with 2 strapping tape. Step 28: Now you can cover the bottom of the wing. Remember, you need to use the 3M 77 spray glue before apply any covering or tapes directly to the foam. Step 29: Finish covering the bottom of the wing just like you did on the top. Trim any edges that need trimming. Tip: Use a piece of the clear hinge tape across the leading edge after the wing is covered. This will help prevent the covering from splitting due to impact. Step 30: After the wing is covered you can start to work on the elevons. First, you ll need to cut them to size. You don t want the elevons to extend into the prop area. Mark them as you see in the picture and remove the excess material.

7 Step 31: Cut the balsa wood using a fine tooth saw. Scissors also work but they can split the wood if you are not careful. Step 32: You will need to sand a 45* angle on the bottom of both your elevons (doesn t have to be exactly 45*). Hold the elevon on the edge of the table and use a sanding block to create the 45* angle (like in the picture above). Remember, you need to sand one for the left wing and one for the right. Step 33: Cover the elevons with the covering tape (top and bottom). If you forget this step, the elevons will not last very long as the tape adds strength to the balsawood. Tip: Apply low heat for a nice finish on both the elevons and the wing. Too much heat and you will melt the tape. Step 34: Make a tape hinge and attach your elevons to the trailing edge of the wing. Use strapping tape for added reinforcement at both ends of the elevons. Note: The wider portion of the elevon should be at the tip of the wing and the thinner portion towards the center. Step 35: Make a slit above the servo horn. Use the hobby knife to find and lift up the servo horn. Center the servos before you proceed. Step 36: Install the control horns using the self tapping screws (supplied). Tip: Hook up the control rod to the servo first. Use the control rods as a guide for the location of the control horns. You want your linkage parallel to each other.

8 Step 37: Make a Z bend in the control rod at the location of the control horn. You will be able to adjust the length of the linkage by threading in or out the gold clevis. If needed, ream out the holes with your hobby knife. Step 38: Before you mount the motor, you ll probably need to remove some foam. Remove just enough so that the motor installs without bending the mount. Step 39: Solder the ESC motor wires (red/blue) directly to the motor using your soldering iron. Normal rotation motors (gold label) need to be hooked up in reverse (red to negative and blue to positive). Reverse rotation motors (silver label) need to be hooked up normally (red to positive and blue to negative). Step 40: Solder the Deans Ultra Plug (supplied) to the ESC battery wires (red/black). Use the rubber-banded pliers as a third hand if needed. Important: Make sure you get the polarity correct on the plug. If not, you will blow up the ESC when you connect the battery (not covered by any warranty). Step 41: Use the supplied 2.5mm motor screws to install the motor. These screws may be hard to find, so try not to loose them. Note: Do not over tighten them as you will lock down your motor and/or strip the threads on the motor. Step 42: Are your servos hooked up correctly? The right servo should move forward when you give the controls right aileron. Both servos should move forward when you give the controls up elevator.

9 Step 43: Installed the white plastic prop (included). The prop pushes directly onto the 2.3mm motor shaft. Note: Take a close look at the picture and notice the rounded and straight edge on the prop. Getting it backwards will reduce power by about 40%. Step 44: Attach the wing tips using 3/4 strapping tape. Use one piece on the tip (toward the leading edge) and another piece through the slit in the wing tip which you need to cut with your hobby knife (see picture). Wing tips should attach with about 1/2-3/4 hanging below. Step 45: To check the balance, hold the wing on the tip of your finger at the center of gravity (C.G.). The C.G. is 7 1/2 from the nose (very tip). If you built the wing correctly, you should need little to no weight to balance the wing. If C.G. is off, add some lead fishing weights or coins to the nose or tail until it balances. Step 46: Trim out the elevons to be neutral (angled slightly upward). Starting throws should be about 3/8 up and 3/8 down. Add more/less depending on your flying style or skill level (less is best for beginners). Too much throw can lead to overcorrecting and difficulty flying. Pre-Flight Instructions: You should always perform a range check before each flight. You want to make sure you have complete control of the airplane before you launch into the air. Before the first flight, you should perform a glide test. Hold the wing as in Step 46 and give it a good toss over your head into the wind (if any). It should be able to glide for about 50yds without using the motor. Beginners should become comfortable with the sensitivity of the controls before using the motor. Make any trim adjustments as needed to maintain level flight. Charging and Battery Care: Make sure you have the correct charger for the batteries you are going to be charging. The complete kit includes an 8 cell 9.6v 1500mah NiCD battery. Charge at 2amps for about 30-40min. If you plan to use different batteries, make sure you know its charging requirements. Using alternate batteries may change the weight and balance of the wing causing poor flight. To maximize battery life and performance avoid charging the battery while it is still hot/warm for the last flight (let is cool down first). Multiple battery packs will allow for more continuous flying without having to wait for batteries to charge. When not in use, NiCD batteries should be stored discharged in a cool and dry place. Flying Precautions: It is very important that you remember to turn off the throttle before crashing or landing. Failure to do so may result in burning up or smoking the speed control and/or breaking props. The warranty does not cover smoking the speed control. The XE2 is a very powerful airplane. It can reach speeds over 50mph with ease. We recommend that you join the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) who can provide flying insurance and information on safe flying practices. Some flying sites require AMA membership to fly. Contact the AMA at Always fly in control and away from people and/or property.