Related Manuals for E-FLITE P-38 Lightning 400 ARF
Summary of Contents for E-FLITE P-38 Lightning 400 ARF
-
Page 1: Specifications
P-38/F-5E Lightning 400 ARF Assembly Manual Specifications Wingspan: 48 in (1219mm) Length: 35 in (889mm) Wing Area: 307 sq in (19.8 sq dm) Weight w/o Battery: 28–35 oz (794–992 g) Weight w/Battery: 33–40 oz (936–1134 g) -
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Non-Warranty Repairs ............8 steerable nose wheel, or from grass with the landing gear and Safety, Precautions, and Warnings ..........8 included drop tanks removed. Elevator Servo Installation ............9 Rudder Installation (Optional) ..........13 Few warbirds carry the mystique of the P-38/F-5E Lightning, and Brushless Motor Installation ...........18 we hope you enjoy flying your new model. Brushed Motor Installation ............22 Aileron Servo Installation ............26 Landing Gear and Drop Tank Installation (Optional) ....29 Final Assembly ..............31 Center of Gravity ..............33 Control Throws ..............33 Range Test Your Radio ............34 Preflight ................34 2007 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code ..35 E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 3: Using The Manual
Using the Manual Replacement Parts This manual is divided into sections to help make assembly easier EFL6030 Cowl and Nose Cover Set to understand, and to provide breaks between each major section. EFL6031 Hardware and Pushrod Set In addition, check boxes have been placed next to each step to EFL6032 Landing Gear Set keep track of each step completed. Steps with a single circle () EFL6034 Decal Set are performed once, while steps with two circles ( ) indicate EFLA284 Spinner, 2 " Gray that the step will require repeating, such as for a right or left wing EFLA284R Spinner, 2 " Gray, Reverse Rotation panel, two servos, etc. EFLM1915 Outrunner Stick Mount EFLP1080E 10x8 Electric Prop Remember to take your time and follow the directions. EFLP1080ER 10x8 Electric Prop, Reverse Rotation E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 4: Required And Recommended Radio Equipment
JRPR790 7 -Channel ScanSelect PCM Receiver 3 servos. This is because the BEC of the single brushed (For JR PCM Transmitters) ESC cannot reliably support more than 3 servos. JRPXFR** Receiver Crystal (for JR Receivers) We recommend the use of a separate BEC (like the Ultimate BEC), or a receiver pack and switch: EXRB100 Expert 720mAh Ni-MH 4.8V Rx Pack EXRA050 Expert Standard Switch E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 5: Important Information About Motor Selection
2 070mAh 3S 11.1V Li-Po, 13GA (1 required) All manufacturer’s instructions and warnings must be followed closely. Mishandling of Li-Po batteries can result Note: If you intend to fly mostly at full throttle, especially in fire. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when in warm conditions, we suggest using a 30–35 amp disposing of Lithium Polymer batteries. ESC, like the Castle Creations Pegasus 35P (CSEP35P). *16GA silicone wire can be substituted E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 6: Required Tools And Adhesives
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE PRODUCT. THE PURCHASER installation; EFLA209) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY ALONE HAVE DETERMINED THAT Clear tape THE PRODUCT WILL SUITABLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE Felt-tipped pen (Optional for rudder hinge installation) PURCHASER’S INTENDED USE. Soldering iron and solder (c) Purchaser Remedy- Horizon's sole obligation hereunder Warning shall be that Horizon will, at its option, (i) repair or (ii) replace, any Product determined by Horizon to be defective. In the event An RC aircraft is not a toy! If misused, it can cause serious bodily of a defect, these are the Purchaser's exclusive remedies. Horizon harm and damage to property. Fly only in open areas, preferably reserves the right to inspect any and all equipment involved in a at AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) approved flying sites, warranty claim. Repair or replacement decisions are at the sole following all instructions included with your radio. discretion of Horizon. This warranty does not cover cosmetic Keep loose items that can get entangled in the propeller away from damage or damage due to acts of God, accident, misuse, abuse, the prop, including loose clothing, or other objects such as pencils negligence, commercial use, or modification of or to any part of and screwdrivers. Especially keep your hands away from the the Product. This warranty does not cover damage due to improper propeller. installation, operation, maintenance, or attempted repair by anyone other than Horizon. Return of any goods by Purchaser must be approved in writing by Horizon before shipment. Warranty Period Horizon Hobby, Inc., (Horizon) warranties that the Products purchased (the “Product”) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the date of purchase by the Purchaser. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 7: Damage Limits
This is a sophisticated hobby product and not a toy. It must be street address, email address and phone number where you can operated with caution and common sense and requires some basic be reached during business days, your RMA number, a list of the mechanical ability. Failure to operate this Product in a safe and included items, method of payment for any non-warranty expenses responsible manner could result in injury or damage to the Product and a brief summary of the problem. Your original sales receipt or other property. This Product is not intended for use by children must also be included for warranty consideration. Be sure your without direct adult supervision. The Product manual contains name, address, and RMA number are clearly written on the outside instructions for safety, operation and maintenance. It is essential to of the shipping carton. read and follow all the instructions and warnings in the manual, prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to operate correctly and Warranty Inspection and Repairs avoid damage or injury. To receive warranty service, you must include your original sales receipt verifying the proof-of-purchase date. Provided warranty conditions have been met, your Product will be repaired or replaced free of charge. Repair or replacement decisions are at the sole discretion of Horizon Hobby. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 8: Non-Warranty Repairs
4105 Fieldstone Road • Never operate your model with low transmitter batteries. Champaign, Illinois 61822 • C arefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support equipment (chargers, rechargeable battery All other Products requiring warranty inspection or repair should be packs, etc.) that you use. shipped to the following address: • K eep all chemicals, small parts and anything electrical out of the Horizon Product Support reach of children. 4105 Fieldstone Road • M oisture causes damage to electronics. Avoid water exposure Champaign, Illinois 61822 to all equipment not specifically designed and protected for this purpose. Please call 8-50-033 with any questions or concerns regarding this product or warranty. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 9: Elevator Servo Installation
Elevator Servo Installation 2. Remove the servo cover from the bottom of the left boom by lifting it from the rear. Required Parts • Fuselage/center section assembly • Double-sided tape • Receiver • Servo w/hardware • Servo extension, 12 in (305mm) • Pushrod wire w/clevis, 10 in (273mm) Required Tools and Adhesives • Phillips screwdriver (small) 1. Carefully remove the center section hatch from the fuselage by lifting it from the rear. 3. Locate a 10 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. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 10 4. Thread the clevis back onto the pushrod wire. 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. 5. Secure a 12 in (305mm) servo extension onto the servo lead. Use string to secure the servo lead to the servo extension. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 11 Note: Use the manufacturer's instructions for routing your antenna. Never cut the receiver antenna as this will greatly reduce the range of your radio system. 8. Route the servo extension through the channel in the bottom of the wing to the center fuselage. 10. Turn on the transmitter and apply power to the receiver. Check that the elevator servo is operating properly. Center the elevator trim and control stick and set any sub-trims to 0. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 12 Note: Step 13 is optional to help with cooling of the ESC and battery. It is suggested to enlarge the openings if you plan to fly aggresive and at high throttle settings. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
-
Page 13: Rudder Installation (Optional)
Required Tools and Adhesives • Hobby knife • Felt-tipped pen • Thin or medium foam-safe CA Note: The installation of the rudders is optional. If you choose not to install the rudders, skip to the next section for the installation of your motor system. 1. Use a hobby knife with a sharp blade to separate the rudder from the fin at the molded hinge line. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 14 3. If using medium foam-safe CA, apply a small amount 4. Slide the hinge into the slot made in the previous step. to one half of the hinge. Make sure to apply CA to Install the three hinges into the rudder. 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. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 15 5. Attach the control horn to the outside of the rudder 6. Position the rudder against the fin. Use a felt-tipped using the backplate and two 2mm x 12mm screws. 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. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 16 8. Test fit the rudder. Check that it can move freely 9. Install the rudder servo using the same procedure used without binding against the elevator. Trim the rudder or for the elevator servo. 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. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 17 10. Repeat Steps 1 though 9 to install the second rudder 11. Install the servo hatches back into position. 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...
-
Page 18: Brushless Motor Installation
P-38/F-5E used, for improved handling and tracking during acceleration for takeoffs and flight. Make sure to 2. Use a razor saw to cut the motor mount stick to note the direction of the propellers and spinners when it a length of 1 in (31mm) for the E-flite Park 450 comes time to install them on the aircraft. outrunner motor. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 19 Note: The dimension of 1 in (31mm) is for the E-flite mount onto the stick and secure it using the included Park 450 Brushless motor (EFLM1400). Using a different 1.5mm x 12mm screw. motor will change the length required for the mount.
- Page 20 EC3 connector. Make sure to solder the positive to sided tape on the sides of the boom. Slide the cowling positive and negative to negative. Check operation of the onto the boom, pressing it against the tape once you motors. The left-hand motor (when viewed from behind) have confirmed proper alignment. should rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the front. The right-hand motor (when viewed from behind) should rotate clockwise when viewed from the front. Note: If either motor is running in the opposite direction that it should, simply reverse any two of the wire leads that connect to the ESC. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 21 Note: If it is necessary to enlarge the hole in the propeller, make sure to check the balance of the propeller afterwards. Note: Pay close attention to the orientation of the propellers as shown in the photos. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
-
Page 22: Brushed Motor Installation
Make sure to note the direction of the propellers and spinners when it 9. Repeat Steps 1 through 8 to install the remaining comes time to install them on the aircraft. motor. When checking the second motor in Step 5 (without the propeller installed), the motors will rotate opposite directions as shown in the photo. 1. Cut two 16 in (406mm) length pieces of either 14- or 16-gauge wire to replace the leads pre-installed on the motor. Use a soldering iron to change out the motor leads. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 23 Make sure your ESC brake is programmed to Off. Also, 4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 for the second motor. be sure to use an ESC with the proper 9V cutoff when using 3-cell Li-Po packs, or 6V cutoff when using 2-cell Li-Po packs. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 24 6. Check the operation of the motors. The left-hand both sets of motor leads to the speed control, positive to gearbox shaft (when viewed from behind) should rotate positive and negative to negative. counterclockwise when viewed from the front. The right- hand gearbox shaft (when viewed from behind) should rotate clockwise when viewed from the front. Note: If either motor is running in the opposite direction that it should, simply reverse the two wire leads that connect the ESC to the motor. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 25 An unbalanced propeller may strip the gears or cause poor flight characteristics. 8. Install the propeller and spinner backplate as shown on the prop shaft of the gearbox. The spinner backplate will actually be installed in front of the propeller. Note: Pay close attention to the orientation of the propellers as shown in the photos. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
-
Page 26: Aileron Servo Installation
Aileron Servo Installation 9. Snap the spinner cone onto the spinner backplate. 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) • Pushrod wire w/clevis, 2 in (57mm) (2) Required Tools and Adhesives • Phillips screwdriver 1. Plug the Y-harness for the aileron servos into the receiver. Connect a 9" (228mm) extension to the harness and route the extension out where the wing will plug into the fuselage; run the ends out each side of the wing slots in the center section. 10. Repeat Steps 6 through 9 to install the remaining motor. When checking the second motor in Step 4 (without the propeller installed), the motors will rotate opposite directions as shown in the photo. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 27 Note: If you need to remove the servo cover after you have taped it down, use caution as it could pull up your paint with it. 3. Use the included double-sided tape to install the servo in the wing with the output shaft toward the trailing edge and control horn. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
- Page 28 Also, be sure that the plastic bushings located on the bottom of the wing panel do not interfere and damage the fuselage when installing the wing panel. 8. Repeat Steps 1 though 7 for the remaining aileron servo and wing panel. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
-
Page 29: Landing Gear And Drop Tank Installation (Optional)
Note: The installation of the landing gear and drop tanks are optional. If you are flying from a rough surface or in a situation that may not be conducive to having these items installed you can select to skip this section. 1. Slide the main gear into the slots in the booms. Use two 2mm x 10mm panhead screws to secure the gear. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 30 This also allows you to adjust the nose steering servo travel independently of the rudder servo travel. The other option is to use a reversing Y-harness if your transmitter does not offer programmable mixing. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
-
Page 31: Final Assembly
Failure to do so when using a separate BEC or receiver battery pack may result in ESC failure and a crash. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 32 2. Install the receiver battery and switch in the fuselage 3. Install the center section hatch to complete the and plug the switch into the receiver. Or, you can choose assembly of your P-38/F-5E Lightning. not to use a switch and simply plug and unplug the receiver battery from the receiver directly before and after flight. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual...
-
Page 33: Center Of Gravity
The recommended Center of Gravity (CG) range is 3/16 in (5mm) transmitter if necessary. forward of the rear panel line to 3/16 in (5mm) forward of the front panel line for a range of 3/8 in (10mm). 2. Check the movement of the ailerons using the transmitter. When the stick is moved right, the right aileron will move up and the left aileron will move down. Reverse the direction of the servo at the transmitter if necessary. 3. Check the movement of the elevator with the radio system. Moving the elevator stick down will make the airplane elevator move up. 4. Use a throw gauge to adjust the throw of the elevator, ailerons and rudder. Adjust the position of the pushrod at the control horn, or the travel/endpoint adjustments of your computer transmitter, to achieve the following measurements when moving the sticks to their endpoints. Ailerons Place or lift the airplane so it is supported between the marks 5/8” (16mm) Up/Down made in the previous step. The plane will rest level when balanced Elevator correctly. If not, move the motor battery forward or backward, or add a small amount of weight to the nose or tail, to correct any 1/2" (13mm) Up/Down balancing problems. Rudders (Optional) 1/2" (13mm) Left/Right These are general guidelines measured from our own flight tests and serve as a good starting point. You can experiment with lower or higher rates to match your preferred style of flying. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 34: Range Test Your Radio
Especially keep your hands away from Range Test Your Radio the propeller. 1. Before each flying session, be sure to range check Double-check that all controls (aileron, elevator, rudder and throttle) your radio. This is accomplished by turning on your move in the correct direction. transmitter with the antenna collapsed. Turn on the Check the radio installation and make sure all the control receiver in your airplane. With your airplane on the surfaces are moving correctly (i.e. the correct direction and with ground and the engine running, you should be able to the recommended throws). Test run the motor and make sure it walk 30 paces (approximately 100 feet) away from your transitions smoothly from off to full throttle and back. Also ensure airplane and still have complete control of all functions. the engine is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and it will operate consistently. If not, don’t attempt to fly! Have your radio equipment Check all the control horns, servo horns, and clevises to make checked out by the manufacturer. sure they are secure and in good condition. Replace any items that would be considered questionable. Failure of any of these 2. Double-check that all controls (aileron, elevator, rudder components in flight would mean the loss of your aircraft. and throttle) move in the correct direction. 3. Be sure that your transmitter batteries are fully charged, per the instructions included with your radio. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... -
Page 35: 2007 Official Ama National Model Aircraft Safety Code
6) I will not operate models with metal-bladed propellers or with will be based on equivalent combustion engine size. Additional gaseous boosts, in which gases other than air enter their internal safety requirements will be per the RC Combat section of the combustion engine(s); nor will I operate models with extremely current Competition Regulations. hazardous fuels such as those containing tetranitromethane or 7) At air shows or model flying demonstrations, a single straight line hydrazine. must be established, one side of which is for flying, with the other side for spectators. RADIO CONTROL 8) With the exception of events flown under AMA Competition rules, 1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground range after launch, except for pilots or helpers being used, no powered check before the first flight of a new or repaired model. model may be flown closer than 25 feet to any person. 2) I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I 9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch a become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an experienced helper. powered model in flight. 3) At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with flying the aircraft are allowed at or in front of the flight line. Intentional flying behind the flight line is prohibited. E-flite P-38/F-5E Lightning Assembly Manual... - Page 36 © 2007 Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, Illinois 61822 (877) 504-0233 horizonhobby.com E-fliteRC.com 1...