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Grim Reaper XL Building Instructions by CRASHTESTHOBBY.COM
The Grim Reaper XL is one of the toughest FPV planes on the planet. It is designed to fly at a wide speed range with more room to
carry FPV equipment. We have used the same techniques to build the Grim Reaper XL as we use for our combat planes. It has an
amazing glide. It can carry more weight than the smaller planes. It is cut from solid EPP foam that doesn't crush. It has EPP elevons
that are strong. It has bidirectional reinforced Extreme Tape hinges and laminate to make it strong while protecting the battery and
radio. The plane is designed to use low cost motors, ESCs, servos and batteries. You need one of these!!!! It's time to fly without
worrying about breaking your plane.
Please watch the videos on how to build our flying wings. The videos show technique and will give you more information than can
be provided in written instructions alone. We recommend that you build and laminate the plane before you install the radio and
FPV gear. This makes the plane easier to build and easier to service and repair.
Specifications
a) Center of gravity is back 9" from nose of plane if using the 9" extension.
b) Flying wings will not fly well nose or tail heavy.
c)
Flying wings tend to build tail heavy so you will need to keep the batteries and radio far forward.
d) Front spars are back 1.5" (4 cm) from the leading edge of wing on both right/left/center and on the top/bottom of the wing.
e) Center spars are back 9" (23 cm) from nose of plane on both the top and bottom of the wing.
f)
Spars are tied together with wire joiners and reinforced Scotch Extreme Tape over the top to prevent separation.
g) Elevon throws 3/8" (1 cm) up/down. Use hole close to center of servo and hole at top of elevon horn for best leverage.
h) Target flying weight 50-80 oz (1500-2400 gm). Lighter always flies better.
i)
3530-1400 KV motor recommended with 9x6 propeller. (Some flyers are using the 3536-1800 KV with a 9x6 prop)
j)
Use a 40 amp ESC with the 3530-1400 KV motor and a 80+ amp ESC with 3536-1800 KV motor.
k) 4000-12,000 mAh 3S lipo batteries mounted flat in the wing to decrease drag.
l)
Standard sized servos recommended for any motor capable of over 20 amps.
m) Speed range 15-90 mph depending on finished weight with suggested motors and standard build.
Equipment needed
a) Low-temperature hot glue gun and low-temp rated glue
b) Thin CA glue
c)
(OPTIONAL ) Gorilla Glue (preferably white), or "Goop" brand glue
d) #8 x 3/4" screws to attach motor mount to Formica (2-56 bolts and nuts may also be used) 4 needed
e) Scotch Extreme Tape (2" bidirectional) available at office supply shipping departments and on Amazon.com
f)
Metal straight edge that won't melt or cut when used as a guide for the soldering iron or razor blade
g) Soldering iron with 5/16" wheel collar to set cutting depth
h) Pliers for cutting pushrod to length
i)
New razor blade to cut slit for shock cord
j)
Small Philips head screwdriver to push shock cord into slit
k) Electric drill and bits for attaching motor mount to Formica plate.
l)
Iron for applying laminate (hobby iron is preferable, but clothing iron may be used)
m) Velcro strips
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Summary of Contents for Crash Test Hobby Grim Reaper XL
- Page 1 Grim Reaper XL Building Instructions by CRASHTESTHOBBY.COM The Grim Reaper XL is one of the toughest FPV planes on the planet. It is designed to fly at a wide speed range with more room to carry FPV equipment. We have used the same techniques to build the Grim Reaper XL as we use for our combat planes. It has an amazing glide.
- Page 2 This is the finished plane showing spar location, radio cutouts and fins. REAPER XL BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS 2. The images above show the finished location of spars, motor, radio and fin installation. a) Clean the cut fibers off cores by rubbing two pieces of EPP together or using a disposable razor and shaving the EPP foam.
- Page 3 The center spars are installed across the center of the wing, marking the CG, back 9" from the nose of the plane. Use soldering iron to cut slots for spars. Use a metal straight edge as guide. Lightly sand spars so glue will stick. Install the spars a) Cut the spar slots with a soldering iron and a metal straight edge.
- Page 4 Cut slit around wing for shock cord. Stretch out shock cord. Press shock cord into place. Your plane is made strong by a combination of EPP foam, top and bottom fiberglass spars, reinforced angle wires, shock cord and super strong UV shielded laminate CA glue shock cord in place.
- Page 5 a) Extreme Tape across center of wing directly over the spar. b) This will reinforce the bottom of the battery and radio boxes cut in the top later. c) Put strips of Extreme tape from the bottom spar forward. d) Wrap 2" Extreme tape around bottom leading edge of wing. Wrap from tip to tip along the leading edge of the wing from the spar forward.
- Page 6 the foam and tape. Although the tape is still shown yellow you will need to put laminate over the tape to protect it from UV rays that will break down the adhesive and rot the tape in a matter of a few hours in the sun without protection. The Scotch Extreme Tape is not yellow but is almost as white as the foam and will stay white if protected with the laminate.
- Page 7 Tape goes on top pointed edge. Attach elevon to wing. Fold elevon over and put tape on bottom. Cut laminate strips 2" wide. Iron them over the E-Tape to shield it. Fold elevon down and iron hinge line. Hinging the elevon a) The Extreme Tape has bidirectional reinforced fibers making a strong hinge line.
- Page 8 Choose a motor based on the kind of flying you want to do. Drill the mounting plate for #8 screws. Screw the motor mount in place. Mark the fins on top edge of wing for mounting tape. Use soldering iron or razor blade to cut 1" slit. Goop Glue end of wing to secure fin.
- Page 9 b) Shape the front and top of the fin as desired. Use Goop (or Shoe Goo) to glue the fins to the ends of the wings, with the slit just above the top of the wing. d) Place a 2” (5cm) wide strip of Extreme Tape along the entire bottom of the fin, wrapping around to the bottom of the wing. Allow the glue to dry.
- Page 10 Use hobby knife to punch hole for elevon horns. Enlarge hole slightly with soldering iron for glue. Glue horns in place working glue up through slit. Apply glue on the top of the wing to secure horn. Drill out TOP hole in horn for EZ connector with 1/16th bit. Insert EZ connector in top hole and put snap ring on.
- Page 11 Cut a slot for the ESC and receiver. Cut slits and push the servo wires into the foam. Glue servos in place. Put clear tape over wire slit. Punch hole for staple to make pushrod wire guide. Put glue in hole and press staple into place. Wire guide should be tight enough to keep pushrod from flexing.
- Page 12 Place battery in place and secure with the Velcro. Fit ESC into slot. Enlarge hole for air flow to cool ESC. Adjust elevon to be up 1/4". Angle of bottom of elevon should be angle of bottom of wing. PUSH RODS AND SERVO HORNS a) Put your push rods on the outside of the servo arms to get the maximum width.
- Page 13 BATTERY BAY – VELCRO RETENTION STRAPS a) To hold the battery in place during flight, you can install Velcro strap or use clear tape. A simple way to install Velcro is to cut a slit through the bottom front of the battery hole and one through the bottom in the middle of the slot that contains the radio and then feed the Velcro through and fasten it on the top of the wing.
- Page 14 STICK UP Both elevons down NOSE DOWN STICK DOWN Both elevons up NOSE UP STICK LEFT Left elevon up / Right elevon down ROLL LEFT STICK RIGHT Right elevon up / Left elevon down ROLL RIGHT ELECTRONICS COVERING, DECALS, & FINS a) After testing all electronics, cover your receiver, ESC, and the slots you buried wires in with clear tape and/or laminate to keep the radio from ejecting in an accident.
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