Millennium RC presents The New and Improved (now even easier to build and cover!) SSX X-Trainer Build Kit Wing span: Approx. 42 Wing Area: 504 sq. in. Wing Loading: 6.71 oz/ sq. ft. Introduction: The Slow Stick X and X-Trainer airplanes are available either as a complete kit which includes all of the fuselage components or as short kit upgrade to the GWS Slow Stick Electric ARF Park Flyer Airplane Kit. The short kit replaces the original Styrofoam wing and tail surfaces of the Slow Stick to a more robust balsa-constructed design, complete with ailerons and a full symmetrical wing, allowing the Slow Stick to become a fully aerobatic model aircraft. This wing and tail are designed to easily attach to your existing stick fuselage. This build kit can be built either as a Slow Stick X (with the straight wing) or as the X- Trainer (with a dihedral wing). The Slow Stick X is also available as a pre-built and covered ARF. Adult supervision recommended for children 15 and under. R/C Airplanes should be flown following safety guidelines provided by the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics). CAUTION: This is not a toy! Recommendations: 1. Read through each step before starting assembly. 2. After removing all the pieces from packaging, inspect to make sure there are no broken or missing parts. 3. Check off each completed step to help keep from losing your place. 4. Cover the work table with plastic wrap to protect from glue.
Slow Stick X or X-Trainer Wing/Tail Build Kit Assembly Instructions Rev. 14 List of Provided Short Kit Parts: ( Short Kit is intended for those who are wishing to upgrade another 10mm stick-fuselage airplane such as the GWS Slow Stick to a more aerobatic and robust model airplane) 1. All laser-cut balsa and plywood parts needed to complete the wing/tail sections as shown below 2. 4 control horns 3..047 piano wire for aileron pushrods 4. 2 (#2) 1/2 sheet metal screws (to hold tail section on fuselage) 5. 2 #2 washers 6. #33 rubber bands 7. 5/32 aluminum tubing for rubber band post extenders (not needed if using Millennium R/C s improved wing mounts) 8. CA Hinges The Slow Stick X and the X-Trainer are also available as a Build Kit Bundle (complete kit) which includes the following additional items: 1. Slow Stick X Decal or X-Trainer Decal 2. X-Fuse Fuselage Set which includes wing mounts, lipo battery mount with Velcro strap, foam tape for mounting receiver, servo mounts, adjustable pushrod guides, steerable tail gear and necessary screws/hardware for these parts. 3. 2-piece 10mm square carbon fiber fuselage with joiner piece 4. Millennium R/C outrunner motor mount 5. X-Gear ABS nylon plastic/carbon fiber landing gear 6. 2 2 ½ foam wheels 7. 1 1 wheel for steerable tail gear 8..047 piano wire for rudder & elevator pushrods Additional Items Required : 1. Diagonal cutters 2. Small screw driver 3. Pliers 4. Allen key set 5. Cyanoacrylate or CA Glue (thin and thick) 6. Hobby knife 7. 80-grit and 100-grit sandpaper 8. Sanding block 9. Tape measure and/or yardstick 10. Square 11. Razor saw 12. A park-flyer type lightweight plastic covering (Ex: Ultracote Lite ) and any tools recommended in its instructions for application 13. Four mini servos for ailerons, rudder and elevator 14. Recommended mtor and speed control (400 style outrunner, 125-200 watts with 20 amp speed control, or equivalent) 15. Battery and propeller (use what is recommended in instructions for motor) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Disclaimer: Millennium R/C assumes no responsibility for any accident or injury to persons or damage to property. 2
IMPORTANT: DO NOT GLUE UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO! NOTE: These instructions include steps for building the wing either as a straight-wing Slow Stick X OR the dihedral wing X-Trainer. Step-3: Install but do not glue SC1 assembly. The small holes in SC1 and SC2-A/B should line-up. Wing assembly The top of this wing is identified by the installation of the main spar. The main spar (SC1) is always installed from the TOP of the wing. Step-1: (Spar Crutch) Glue SC1 and SC1-A together. Use SC1-B if you are building the SSX as a trainer. Trim the plywood wing joiner P2 for dihedral or no dihedral. Step-4: Install, do not glue W3 ribs. Step-2: Glue SC2-A to wing rib W2. Pay attention to orientation. The circle in SC2-A should be close to W2 and near the bottom. Use SC2-B if you are building the trainer. Remember, the opposing wing half is a mirrored version. SC2-A/B should be square to W2. Step-5: Glue TE-C pieces to TE-A. TE-A should be square to TE-C.
Step-6: Install, DO NOT glue TE (trailing edge) assembly to ribs. Parts are delicate at this point. Step-9: Install end rib W4. Square W4 to LE and TE then glue to TE and LE only. Step-7: Install, DO NOT glue 3/16" square spar sticks. Tip! Look straight down the sticks to determine natural bow. Install sticks so bow is opposite opposing stick s bow. This will help make the wing truer. Step-10: CAUTION! DO NOT install W1A upside down. Install W1A and B. The notch in the front of W1A should be facing the bottom (Servo Side) of the wing. Square the LE and TE to W1 and Glue at TE and LE. Use a small scrap piece of 1/16" ply to shim the space between SC1 and SC2-A/B. The parts should be shimmed such that the plywood wing joiner P2 should slide into the wing. Use extra caution not to glue the shims or P2 in place. Use a tiny dot of medium CA to tack the spar sticks, SC1, SC2-A/B, W1 and W2 in place. Pull the shims out and test fit P2. Remove P2, place the wing on a flat surface so the spar is straight and continue tack-gluing all joints. Lift the wing off your work surface and use thin CA to glue all joints. Take caution not to glue the wing to your work surface or your face. LOL Step-8: Install, DO NOT glue LE (leading edge) crutch. 4
Step-11: Glue LE-B top and bottom in place. Keep trailing edge straight while gluing with thin CA. Tip! Scotch Tape and Packing tape are great for keeping the parts from gluing to the work surface. Step-12: Glue 1/8 X ¼ stringers and 3/16 square leading edge as shown. Step-14: Glue wing hinge sockets in place. Be sure to align the center markings with the edge of TE-A. Sand hinge sockets flush with TE-B on both top and bottom of wing. Step-13: Glue 1/16 sheeting as shown. Take note of servo wire hole location in bottom sheeting. Step-15: Glue with medium CA, WT3, WT6, WT9, WT10, WT11 (wing tip) and hinge block as shown. Slot for hinge should face the trailing edge of wing tip. 5
Step-16: Install DO NOT glue WT1 and WT2. Step-19: Round-off leading edge and tip of wing. Leave trailing edge flat, but sand flush TE-A and TE-B. Step-17: Glue wing tip assembly to W4 wing tip. Be sure the trailing edge is straight with the main wing trailing edge. Step-20: Sand 3/16 Square leading edge piece flush with Part LE so that plywood part P1 sits flat. Step-18: Glue wing tip stiffeners WT4, WT5 and WT7 in place. Step-21: Glue P1 in place. 6
Step-22: Build two aileron servo blocks from parts P3 and P5. At this time, go ahead and complete the other wing half. Be sure to make the opposite half a mirrored image of the first half. Step-24: Glue P2 and P4 in place on one wing half. Use slow drying glue on P2 such as epoxy. You only need enough glue to attach P2 to the top and bottom spar sticks. Apply glue to P2 and W1. Now join the two wing halves. Note the picture shows an uncovered wing. Do not join the two wing halves until they are covered. You may also install covered ailerons, servos and linkage before this step is you so choose. Step-23: Install the servo block as shown. Sand as much of the laser burn from the wing as possible without distorting the shape of the wing parts. Sand sheeting and other parts flush with W1 so when the two wing halves are brought together, the left and right W1 ribs join together flush. Be careful not to oversand. Cover the wing halves with light model covering before joining them permanently. Do not completely cover the side of the W1 center rib. Step-25: Cut from 3/16 square sticks: (2) 19-1/2 (1) 4-1/2, (2) 4, (6) 3-3/4, (2) 3-1/4, (8) 2-1/2 (2) 2-1/4 and set aside. Be sure to cut longest to shortest. Use the scraps as much as possible. Cut (24) aileron stiffeners by using part A1 or A2 as a cutting guide. 7
Step-26: Build two aileron frames from 19-1/2 cut stick (See Step-25), A1, A2 and pre cut aileron leading edge pieces. Note hinge slots are pre cut and need to be positioned on the edge of the aileron leading edge. Be sure to align the hinge slots on the two leading edge pieces. Be sure to use a straight edge such as a ruler to keep the leading edge straight while building. Step-29: Cut covering at hinge slots on the wing and ailerons and insert CA hinges. Use a pin pushed through the center of the hinge to keep it from pushing all the way through while installing the ailerons (See picture 29A). Check that the aileron moves freely. Soak the hinge with thin CA glue. The style and size supplied with this kit may vary. It may be necessary to make the hinge slots deeper. Step-27: Glue the stiffeners into the aileron frame. Exact position of stiffeners is not critical as long as they do not block hinge slots. Half of the stiffeners can be omitted for a lighter model. Step-28: Bevel the leading edge of the ailerons to a blunt point. Round-off the trailing and side edges. Sand smooth and cover with light model covering. Step-30: Assemble the rear wing saddle from parts P10, P8, P7 and P9. Bend P7 along the dotted line so it forms over P9. When building the trainer kit use P9T in place of P9 and P10 will be bent to conform to the dihedral of the wing. It is also necessary to shim the mount with 1/8 ply parts P16 between P10 and the wing when building the trainer version. Be sure to remove the covering where the saddle is glued to the wing. 8
a template. 3/16 square sticks for the stabs were cut in step 25. Note that S3 is a Stack made up of S3A and S3B. The plywood piece S3A needs to be on the bottom of the horizontal stab. Bevel the leading edge of the rudder and elevator. Round-off all other edges with the exception of base of the vertical stab. Cover the stab with light model covering. Hinge using same method as in step 29. Step-31: Assemble the front wing saddle parts P11 in a stack. Glue the assembly to the front of P1. If you are building the trainer, it is necessary to trim P11 at the dotted line before gluing the stack together. You also need to shim P11 1/8 using P15 for the trainer version only. This completes the wing. Stab assembly (Assembly up to Step 25 must be completed before proceeding to tail section) Step-32: Assemble the tail mount as shown glue together with CA and cover if desired. The vertical and horizontal stabs are assembled on a flat surface. Be sure to protect the surface from glue. A 1:1 scale drawing is provided to use as Step-33: Trim the covering away from the top center of the horizontal stab where the tail mount will be glued. Insert the tail mount into the slots on the horizontal stab and secure with thin CA glue. Trim the covering from the vertical stab tab insert it into the top of the tail mount and square it to the horizontal stab. Secure the vertical stab with thin CA. The SSX tail section is designed to be adjustable. The tail mount assembly has 3 P12 formers. The fuselage tube needs only to pass through the first 2 P12 formers. This allows the end of the fuse to be positioned anywhere between the second and third P12 formers. 9
location. Do NOT add weight to balance the aircraft. Move the wing back if the model is tail heavy or forward if it is nose heavy. Ultimately you want the length between the wing and tail to be maximized. More advanced pilots can move the CG further back for more performance. Once you have the CG set go ahead and secure all the hardware and complete the linkage. This completes the stab assembly Fuselage Assembly (not included in short kit ) Use CA glue to attach fuselage joiner to one end of the shorter fuselage stick (tail end). Slide one end of the longer fuselage stick into the joiner and attach with provided screw. Cut excess off end of screw and file down sharp edges. See image below: Use the existing GWS parts from your GWS Slow Stick or use the parts from our X-Fuse set. Refer to Drawing Insert #1 for details on fuselage assembly. Drawing 1 is scaled so that it can be accurately measured to determine fuselage component locations. ¼ on the drawing will actually be 1 on the model. Wait till the model is balanced to screw the wing mounts and tail section in place. Refer to X- Gear instruction sheet for assembly of X-Gear. Temporarily mount all components including the battery, prop, control horns and wheels. Install linkage to ailerons and stab but leave the stab push rods long so you can adjust the length of the tail. Temporarily mount the wing and stab as well. Balance the model by supporting the model on your finger tips at the CG Slide the push rod guide onto the tail end of the fuselage. Then slide the rear wing saddle mount onto the front end of the fuselage, approximately 15 ½ down the stick. DO NOT SCREW IN YET. 10
Slide the two servo mounts down about an inch from the rear wing saddle mount. Now slide the front wing saddle mount, approximately 5 ½ down from the front. Install the servos, as per servo manufacturer instructions, using servo manufacturerprovided hardware. DO NOT SCREW any of the parts in yet. See picture below: Slide the battery mount, onto the fuselage, approximately 1 ½ from the front. DO NOT glue or screw in any of these plastic parts yet, as they are in temporary positions. See Drawing 1 for details: Final Assembly Attach the Z-bend end of the long control rods into the middle hole of each one of the tail section control horns. Feed the control rods through the rod guides on the fuselage and then slide the tail section on to the fuselage. See Drawing 1 for details. Feed the long wire push rod through the push rod guide and through the guide holes in the rear wing saddle, so that the Z-bend is at the tail section. Repeat on both sides. Drill two small holes on the bottom front and center of the horizontal stabilizer. Use the #2 ½ screws to fasten the fuselage to the tail assembly. Holes should be about 3/8 from leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer and spaced 1 Do not damage the wood when tightening. Use provided #2 washers. See Drawing 1 for details. 11
If using your existing GWS fuselage this step would be necessary. Installing Rubber Band Post Extenders: One minor design flaw in the original Slow Stick is that the rubber band posts are too short. Using 5/32 aluminum tubing, cut 4 3/8 long pieces. (Some kits may come with these already cut). Use thick CA glue and glue them to the existing rubber band posts of the original Slow Stick wing saddles. Make sure you do not leave sharp edges that can cut the rubber bands. I like to fill the tube with thick CA and leave a bead at the top of the tube. If you do not have a tubing cutter, you can use an X-acto knife in a rolling action to cut the tubing. Our new X-Fuse eliminates the need for rubber band post extenders. Main Wing Decal (not included in short kit ) 1. Cut excess material from decal before removing the backing. 2. Remove the protective backing to expose the adhesive. 3. Add about 3 drops of dish soap to 2 pints of clean water. Put it in a spray bottle and spray the back of the decal. 4. Allow the decal to dry overnight. 5. Slide the decal into position and squeegee the excess water from under the decal. Control Throws Most advanced modelers will want every bit of control they can squeeze from this model. Advanced pilots will set all throws to maximum and use rates where appropriate. Beginners should set controls to 50% of the maximum possible or 25 degrees for ailerons and elevator and max for rudder. First flight: Be sure all controls are set correctly. Set low rates to about 50%. Take-off should be at half throttle with recommended power plant. Climb to a higher altitude and adjust trims as needed. You should find that this aircraft has a very low stall rate and is capable of most acrobatics. Happy flying! Enjoy Your New Millennium R/C Slow Stick X or X-Trainer! If you should find a part missing or damaged, or have any questions about assembly, please contact us at the address below: Millennium R/C 12859 Lower River Blvd. Orlando, FL 32828 Phone: 407-208-9745 Fax: 866-799-2372 E-mail: Service@millenniumrc.com www.millenniumrc.com www.flyerc.com For updates and tips, visit the Slow Stick X or X- Trainer Build Thread on RC Groups: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=646592 12