Congratulations on your purchase of the TuffBirds Spec Racer Flying Wing. We Hope these build instructions will help you complete the build easily. Though the build itself doesn't take much time, just be sure to double check everything before gluing or cutting. The Spec Racer is a great flier, and makes a wonderful racing FPV Bird that is incredibly durable and extremely fun to fly. Specifications: Ÿ WingSpan: 900MM Ÿ All-Up-Weight: ~ 500 gms Ÿ CG Location: 7 inches back from Nose Tip. Requires: Ÿ 4-6 Channel Programmable Radio (Tx-Rx) Ÿ 2200 mah 3S Lipo Ÿ 30Amp Brushless ESC Ÿ 2 Nos 9gms Servo Ÿ Brushless Motor 1500KV or higher (2200kv suggested) Ÿ 6-8 inch Propellor Build Video : goo.gl/jw8vkm Whats Included: Ÿ 2 EPP Wing Panels in Wing Beds ( Left + Right ) Ÿ Laser Cut Aeroply sheet (Motor Mount, Control Horns & Battery Tray ) Ÿ ~750 mm 5x1MM Carbon Fiber Strip Ÿ ~250 mm 5x1MM Carbon Fiber Strip Ÿ 2 Nos ~330mm 3x1MM Carbon Fiber Strips Ÿ Corrugated Plastic 3MM Winglets ( 2Nos ) Ÿ 1ftx6ft 3 Mil Lamination Film. Ÿ 2 Nos ~120mm Pushrods Ÿ 2 Nos Linkage Connectors Ÿ Battery Strap Ÿ Paper Knife Ÿ Elevon Throw Gauge Ÿ Instructional Manual Building Tools: Ÿ Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks Ÿ Cyanoacrylate Glue ( FeviKwik etc ) Ÿ Screwdrivers & Allen Key Ÿ Paper Tape & Clear Packing Tape Ÿ An Iron ( If Laminating ) Ÿ Soldering Iron and Solder Wire Ÿ Ruler, Pen and a Flat Working Table 1
1. Layout and Identify the parts. Top Bottom Unpack and lay out everything from the kit. Identify all the parts. Note and mark the Left and Right Wing panels. In case you find anything missing, stop and contact us before proceeding with the build. Since the Spec Racer has a symmetric Airfoil both the Left and Right panels are essentially the same. 2. Cut the Elevons. 30MM ELEVON ELEVON From the Wing Panels, cut the Elevons as shown. Both elevons need to be same sized. It helps if you cut one Elevon, and use that as a template to cut the second. The width of the Elevons is 30MM. 3. Trim Elevons & cut space for prop Next, we need to cut out some space for the prop. Trim the inboard part of the Elevons as shown. Make sure that both sides are symmetrical. 110MM 180MM 110MM 180MM 110MM 180MM 4. Bevel the Wing Area to be cut-off The wing panels need to be beveled to allow for the Down movement of Elevons. Cut the bevel as illustrated across the length of the panel with a sharp knife. Try to cut the entire bevel with a single pass of the knife. Elevon Movement UP Elevon Movement DOWN 2
5. Join Wing Panels Test fit the panels, and use a bead of CA to glue the panels together. Make sure they are aligned. Leave aside to dry. When completely set, add a bead hot glue and wipe it off to secure the entire joint. 6. Install Spars 5MM Spar The 5MM Spar has to be installed on the panels and the thin, 3MM spars go on the Elevons. Use the knife to make a shallow cut, and use the end of the spar to make enough space for a tight fit Use CA to glue the spar. 3MM Spars 7. Laminate Panels OR Hot Glue Hinge If Laminating, then laminate the elevons in at least 2-3 layers to add rigidity. Laminate the bottom wing first and then the top side. Hinge using Laminate or Clear packing tape. If not laminating, then use our EPP Hot Glue Hinge method to install the elevons. 9. Install Servos & Linkages Servos need to be installed so that the linkage sare perpendicular to the elevon hinge line. Install the control horn so that the hole is on top of the hinge line. 3
10. Assemble Motor Mount Assemble the Motor mount using the 4 parts as shown. The small arrows marked need to be facing towards the top. Use CA to Glue the parts together. Install the motor mount on the wing, keeping it as centered as possible. 11. Install Winglets Use CA or Hot Glue to install the Winglets at the Wing Tips. Align the Winglets so they are flush from the leading edge and as centered on the tips as possible. 12a. Check CG 7 INCH This is the most cruicial step. CG of this wing should be 7 Inches from the nose tip. Adjust the placement of battery to get the CG to this position. Flying wings are very sensitive to CG, and if the CG is off by more than 5MM the plane will not fly properly. 12b. Cut Battery Location Use the Battery tray as a guide to make space for the cut out of the battery area. Cut only as deep as required for the battery. Leave at least 10MM of foam at the bottom of the wing. The Battery bay is usually required to be cut as far forward as possible. The battery location may need to be adjusted later to get the plane balanced properly. 4
13 Wiring Diagram FPV Gear PROP Motor ESC BATTERY Servo 1 Servo 2 CH 3 CH 2 CH 1 RX 14 Elevon Mixing Down Elevator Plane will Nose Down / Dive Both Elevons Move down AILERON Plane will Roll/Turn Left Left Elevon Moves Up Right Elevon Moves Down UP Elevator Plane will Nose UP / Climb Both Elevons Move UP AILERON Plane will Roll/Turn Right Left Elevon Moves Down Right Elevon Moves Up 15 Final Checks Throw Gauge Elevon Throws Elevon at Neutral Use the supplied throw gauge to set the throws of Elevons. Start with the recommendation and then you may adjust later to suit your flying style. Check all linkages to be tight, and slop-free. Double check the CG balance point. 5
Essential Preflight Checks: 1. Check CG. #1 Check. DO NOT FLY If you don't get this right. 2. Check Elevon Mixing 3. Check Neutral Trim 4. Check throws. 5. Check Prop direction and thrust 6. Check for any slop in Elevon/linkage Connectors First Flight Checks: 1. Fly in a open ground with no obstacles. 2. For the first flights have someone experienced do the checks and trim out the model 3. Launch the model with about 50% power and INTO the wind. 4. Remember - Safety first. Fly Safely and responsibly. Have fun and Enjoy. But fly responsibly. Find out a large open field, free from trees, buildings, obstructions and people. Ensure you comply with local regulation laws. Before flying your model, it is recommended you have an experienced flier from your region test fly the model and trim it out for you. In case you have no such help, do not despair. We suggest you go and do some computer simulation practice ( Realflight G4.5, Phoenix etc ) afterwards this airplane should be easy enough for you to fly. Follow all of the Preflight checks mentioned below. Double check the control surfaces. They should all be neutral and check again for control reversing. Check for wind direction. The airplane is always launched and landed against the wind. So move to a location in your field from where you have a clear area ahead against the wind to launch. Always keep the model within sight and within the confines of your flying field. Common Problems: 1. CG too far back. Flying wings will not fly tail heavy. A good sign you are tail heavy is you can t control the plane or the plane won t stay trimmed. When you try to loop the plane will roll over. Add weight to the nose to see if the problems resolve. It is not uncommon to need an extra oz or two of lead depending on how light you build. 2. Too much movement in the elevons so the plane stalls on launch as you pull up on the elevator. This is a very common problem!!!! May be combined or confused with tail heavy airplane symptoms. 3.Loose servos in the foam, linkages and push rods that flex, and poor leverage with push rods not installed per plans, elevons are too soft and twisting. The TuffBirds Spec Racer has been Designed, prototyped, tested and manufactured in India by Vortex-RC. All Contents are copyright, and no part may be copied, or duplicated in any form without the written permission from Team Vortex-RC. Visit us at www.vortex-rc.com and www.tuffbirds.in 6