GREAT PLANES Tracer Instruction Manual
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GREAT PLANES Tracer Instruction Manual

GREAT PLANES Tracer Instruction Manual

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Great Planes
®
Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and
workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or
modification. In no case shall Great Planes' liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Great
Planes reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no liability shall be
assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the
act of using the user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.
If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to
return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.
READ THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION BOOK FIRST.
IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND
USE OF THIS MODEL.
© Copyright 1999

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

WARRANTY
P.O. Box 788
Urbana, IL 61803
WWW.GREATPLANES.COM
(217) 398-8970
TCR4P03 V1.0

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Summary of Contents for GREAT PLANES Tracer

  • Page 1: Instruction Manual

    READ THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION BOOK FIRST. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL. P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61803 (217) 398-8970 WWW.GREATPLANES.COM © Copyright 1999 TCR4P03 V1.0...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF AND OTHERS Safety Precautions..............2 Precautions .................2 Your Tracer is not a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working Introduction .................3 model that functions very much like an actual airplane. Decisions You Must Make ............3 Engine Selection..............3 Landing Gear Configuration...........3...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Tracer through its paces. When you have a feel for your Tracer, the throws can be increased to high rates (see page 39) to complete the 4-Channel Radio with Five Servos (twin aileron servos aerobatic potential.

  • Page 4: Suggested Building Supplies And Tools

    Propeller (Top Flite Power Point ® ); Refer to your engine's instructions for proper size Top Flite Super MonoKote ® Covering (Approximately 2 rolls) – See Covering (page 36) Fuel-Proof Paint – See Painting (page 36) 3' Medium Fuel Tubing (GPMQ4131) 1/4"...

  • Page 5: Building Notes

    Building Notes Common Abbreviations Used in this Manual and on the Plans There are two types of screws used in this kit: Sheet metal screws are designated by a number and a Fuse = Fuselage length. For example #4 x 5/8" Stab = Horizontal stabilizer Fin = Vertical fin LE = Leading edge (front)
  • Page 6 DIE-CUT PATTERNS Inch Scale 0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7" 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 Metric Scale...

  • Page 7: Metric Conversions

    METRIC CONVERSIONS 1/64" = .4 mm 1/4" = 6.4 mm 6" = 152.4 mm 1/32" = .8 mm 3/8" = 9.5 mm 12" = 304.8 mm 1/16" = 1.6 mm 1/2" = 12.7 mm 18" = 457.2 mm 3/32" = 2.4 mm 5/8"...

  • Page 8: Build The Tail Surfaces

    If you need to slide an internal rib left or right as much as shown on the plans. 1/8" within the Tracer's tail framework to gain a snug fit and a strong glue joint, feel free to do so. LE Support Stab Center 5.

  • Page 9: Build The Fin And Rudder

    8. Edge glue two 1/16" x 3" x 24" balsa sheets Build the Fin and Rudder together, making a 1/16" x 6" x 24" balsa sheet. Sand both sides of this sheet smooth. 1. Remove the stab plan from your work surface and lay out the fuselage plan.

  • Page 10: Hinge The Tail Surfaces

    the hinge location to accurately establish the hinge slot. Hinge the Tail Surfaces Make three or four more cuts, going a little deeper each time. As you cut, slide the knife from side to side until the 1. Place the stab over its location on the plan and lightly slot has reached the proper depth and width for the hinge.

  • Page 11: Build The Wing

    RETRACT INSTALLATION 1a. If you will be building your Tracer with retracts, glue the four die-cut 1/8 ply rib doublers with two slots to the pair of die-cut 3/32" balsa ribs 3 and 4, being careful to make a left and a right rib 3 and 4 as shown in the photo.

  • Page 12: Build The Wing Panels

    1b. If you will be installing fixed gear, glue the four die- 2. Pin a 3/16" x 3/16" x 30" balsa wing jig stick over cut 1/8" ply rib doublers with one slot to the pair of die-cut the wing jig position shown on the plan. Note: Do not pin at 3/32"...
  • Page 13 11. If you are building the right wing panel, trim the two 7. Using a square to keep it perpendicular to the work shaped balsa LE's as shown in the sketch. surface, glue the die-cut 3/32" balsa rib 2A to the spars. Center the LE on the Ribs 12.
  • Page 14 (GPMQ4281) with 5/32" wheel collars and 6-32 set screws. Using a rotary tool and a cutoff wheel, cut the axles flush with the wheel collars. 15. Using a rotary tool and a cutoff wheel, cut both retract struts so they are 4-1/8" long, measuring from the mounting plate on the retract body.
  • Page 15 23. Being careful not to cut into the spar, use a 28. Trim the TE sheet, TE, LE, LE sheet and the straightedge as a guide and cut the sheeting along the spars flush with rib 9. center of the spar. 29.
  • Page 16 36. Trim the bottom LE sheeting from within the wheel well. 33. Shape one end of the wheel well so that when slid in place it makes contact with the sheeting all the way around. 37. Epoxy the die-cut 1/8" ply retract support rib in place.

  • Page 17: Join The Wing Panels

    2. Glue the die-cut 1/8" ply center jig and tip jigs together as shown. 40. Turn the wing upside-down. Using the slot in the landing gear rail as a guide, cut the opening for the gear to fit. Chamfer the torque block opening to allow the radius in the landing gear leg to fit properly in the rail.

  • Page 18: Retract Servo And Linkage Installation

    Retract Servo and Linkage Installation RETRACT INSTALLATION 1. Trim the wheel wells where the struts make contact so the retracts can lock in the “up” position. 5. Position the wing on the jigs. When satisfied that the wing is joining properly, lift it off the work surface and liberally coat the wing joiner and spars with epoxy and position in place.
  • Page 19 8. Cut 3/8" wide by 5/8" deep slots in the outside edges of both wheel wells centered on the marks you made in steps 5-7. 5. Use a straightedge to mark a line from the center of the servo arm to the control link on the right retract on the right wheel well and rib 2A.

  • Page 20: Finish The Top Of The Wing

    4. Lift the LE sheeting away from the ribs and put thick CA on the ribs and the front half of the spar. Roll the sheeting down and weight it in place until the glue has dried. 5. Sand the TE so it is flush with the tops of the ribs. 6.
  • Page 21 10. Cut openings in the bottom sheeting for the 15. Drill two 1/4" holes, at the punch marks, in the die- aileron servos. cut 1/8" ply forward dowel support. 11. Use two 1/16" x 3" x 30" balsa sheets to sheet the top center section of the wing.

  • Page 22: Hinge The Ailerons

    Hinge the Ailerons 1. Trim both pieces of the aileron stock so they have 1/16" clearance on both ends when positioned in place. 2. Mark the hinge locations on the ailerons and wing and cut the hinge slots the same as was done on the tail. 3.
  • Page 23 3. Using a straightedge and a pen, draw a line horizontally across the firewall from the left outer punch mark to the right outer punch mark. Draw a line vertically from the top punch mark to the bottom punch mark. The intersection of these two lines is the center of the engine mount.
  • Page 24 9. Cover the first fuse side with Great Planes Plan 12. Glue former F2 vertically in the front of its slot in the Protector and fit and glue the second side together over the fuse top. Be sure the F2 doubler you installed in step 6 is first, making two identical fuse sides.

  • Page 25: Assemble The Belly Pan

    Assemble the Belly Pan 18. Using 6-minute epoxy, glue the three die-cut 1/8" ply bolt plates together to make what is now called the bolt block. 1. Glue the die-cut 1/8" ply belly pan sides and belly pan front former perpendicular to the belly pan bottom. 19.
  • Page 26 the string. Mark an arrow on the tape, then slide the tape on 7. Remove the wing from the fuselage and re-drill both the string so the arrow aligns with the wing tip. Swing the holes in the wing only to 17/64". string over to the other tip and see if it aligns with the same point.

  • Page 27: Install The Firewall, Pushrod Tubes And Tank Hatch

    Install the Firewall, Pushrod Tubes and Tank Hatch 1. Remove the fuse from the work surface. Remove the pins from the fuse top. 2. Fit the firewall tabs into the slots in the fuse sides. When satisfied that the firewall can be put in place easily, 5.

  • Page 28: Build The Fuselage Front Deck And Turtle Deck

    9. Mix the remaining epoxy with microballoons and 15. Temporarily mount the tank hatch to the fuse with epoxy the pushrod tubes to the slots in the fuse sides. four #2 x 3/8" sheet metal screws. Completely fill the slots with the microballoons/epoxy mix. 16.
  • Page 29 3. From a 1/4" x 3/8" x 18" balsa stick, cut, fit and glue 7. Shape the sides of the sheeting so it blends with the the two front deck side stringers. fuse side. Sand the front edge flush with the firewall. Sand the TE flush with the instrument panel.
  • Page 30 11. Edge glue a 3/32" x 2-3/4" x 24" balsa sheet to the fuse top, with the forward edge extending beyond F3B 17. Trim the aft end of the 1/8" x 1/4" top stringers so and the aft edge extending past F6B. there is at least a 1/4"...

  • Page 31: Mount The Stabilizer And Fin

    Mount the Stabilizer and Fin 1. If you have not already done so, make sure the stab and fin are final sanded to a smooth finish, as it will be a little more difficult to do so after they are glued to the fuselage. 21.

  • Page 32: Mount The Engine

    allowing it to tilt to either side. When satisfied with the alignment of the fin, glue it in place with thin CA. Hint: Proper alignment of your fin to your stab is critical to proper flight performance, so take your time to be sure it is just right. Note: If you are using a larger engine than the .46 it may be necessary to sand the left fuse side flush with the firewall, so that the mount fits.

  • Page 33: Install The Servos And Make The Pushrods

    Install the Servos and Make the Pushrods 4. Bend and cut a 36" throttle pushrod wire to fit your engine installation, using the drawing on the fuselage plan as a guide. Install a nylon clevis and insert the pushrod through the guide tube. Make adjustments to the bends in the wire so the pushrod aligns with the carburetor arm on 1.
  • Page 34 in the sketch and on the plan. Use a ballpoint pen to mark the location of the control horn mounting holes and drill 3/32" holes at the marks. Temporarily mount the control horns to the elevators with the backing plates and 2-56 x 5/8"...

  • Page 35: Assemble The Cowl

    5. Glue leftover plastic strips to both halves overlapping 20. Locate the control horn on the aileron using a square so the center joint. that the pushrod will be perpendicular to the hinge line. Mount the control horn and back plate with the 2-56 x 5/8" screws. 21.

  • Page 36: Balance The Model Laterally

    8. Remove the cowl and engine mount with engine. Finish the Model Harden the threads in the fuse with thin CA. COVERING TECHNIQUE 9. Use Bondo or other filler on all seams and blemishes. When dry, wet sand with 400-grit sand paper until you are Cover the model with Top Flite MonoKote Film.

  • Page 37: Final Hookups And Checks

    FINAL HOOKUPS AND CHECKS Join the Control Surfaces Painting Butyrate Canopies With Top Flite LustreKote ® Top Flite LustreKote is a high quality, fuelproof paint that perfectly matches Top Flite MonoKote. The paint is well suited to putting a high quality finish on ABS but does have a tendency to curl materials such as styrene and butyrate.

  • Page 38: Install The Hardware

    6. Wrap the receiver and battery pack in at least 1/4" of ASSEMBLE, THEN APPLY 6 DROPS foam rubber, then test fit them in the location shown on the OF THIN CA TO CENTER OF HINGE, ON BOTH SIDES plan. Do not permanently mount your receiver or battery pack until you have verified the C.G.

  • Page 39: Set The Control Throws

    If, after you become comfortable with your the position of the receiver battery and receiver. If you are Tracer, you would like to adjust the throws to suit your unable to obtain good balance by doing so, then it will be tastes, that's fine.

  • Page 40: Pre-Flight

    Find a Safe Place to Fly permanently secure your battery pack and receiver in their current location. We recommend securing your receiver and Since you have chosen the Tracer we assume that you are battery pack to pieces of leftover ply, using Velcro ®...

  • Page 41: Engine Safety Precautions

    The Great Planes Tracer is a great flying pattern trainer that successfully flight tested. flies smoothly and predictably, yet is highly aerobatic. The...

  • Page 42: Takeoff

    When you initially advance the throttle and the tail begins to lift, the Tracer will begin to turn to the left (due to the torque of Now that you're feeling comfortable with taking off and the engine–a characteristic of all taildraggers).

  • Page 43: Appendix

    model. If further information is required, please contact your local hobby dealer, local flying club or call Great Planes at (217) 398-8970. A model is not a static object. Unlike a car, which you can only hunt left or right on the road (technically, a car does yaw in corners and pitches when the brakes are applied), a plane moves through that fluid we call air in all directions simultaneously.
  • Page 44 its paces. Control centering is either a mechanical thing they can still be warped or twisted). Yaw and lateral balance (binding servos, stiff linkages, etc.), an electronic thing (bad will also come into play here, so be patient and eliminate servo resolution or dead band in the radio system), or C.G.
  • Page 45 TRIM FEATURE MANEUVERS OBSERVATIONS CORRECTIONS CONTROL Fly general circles and Try for hands off straight Readjust linkages so that CENTERING random maneuvers. and level flight. Tx trims are centered. CONTROL Random maneuvers A. Too sensitive, jerky If A, change linkages to THROWS controls.
  • Page 46 OTHER KITS AVAILABLE FROM GREAT PLANES COMPUTER RADIOS. As you prepare to fly the Tracer for the first time, there are a few features on computer radios we'd like to mention. There are many others, of course, but these are commonly used features on most computer radios.
  • Page 47 BUILDING NOTES Kit Purchased Date:________________________ Date Construction Finished: _________________ Where Purchased:_________________________ Finished Weight: __________________________ Date Construction Started: __________________ Date of First Flight: ________________________ FLIGHT LOG...

  • Page 48: Two View Drawing

    TWO VIEW DRAWING Use copies of this page to plan your trim scheme...

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