Check List; Flying - Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt User Manual

During the last few moments of preparation your
mind may be elsewhere anticipating the excitement
of your first flight. Because of this, you may be more
likely to overlook certain checks and procedures
that should be performed after your model is built.
To help avoid this, we've provided a checklist to
make sure you don't overlook these important
areas. Many are covered in the instruction manual,
so where appropriate, refer to the manual for
complete instructions. Be sure to check the items off
as you complete them (that's why we call it a

check list! ).

❏
1. Fuelproof all areas exposed to fuel or
exhaust residue such as the firewall/engine
compartment, fuel tank compartment, wing
saddle area, trailing edge of the wing, the
flap area and wheel wells, etc.
❏
2. Check the C.G. according to the
measurements provided in the manual.
❏
3. Secure the battery and receiver with a strip of
balsa or plywood. Simply stuffing them into
place with foam rubber is not sufficient.
❏
4. Extend your receiver antenna and make sure it
has a strain relief inside the fuselage to keep
tension off the solder joint inside the receiver.
❏
5. Balance your model laterally as explained in
the instructions.
❏
6. If you haven't already done so, glue the wing
dowels into the wing with epoxy.
❏
7. File flat spots on the tail gear axle and
steering shaft for the set screws to lock onto.
❏
8. Use threadlocking compound to secure
critical fasteners such as the nuts that hold
the main gear axles in place, screws that
hold the carburetor arm (if applicable), set
screws, screw-lock pushrod connectors if
used, etc.
❏
9. Add a drop of oil to the axles so the wheels
will turn freely.
❏
10. Make sure all hinges are securely glued
in place.
❏
11. Reinforce holes for wood screws with thin
CA where appropriate (control horns, servo
hatches, servo mounting screws, etc.).
❏
12. Confirm that all controls operate in the
correct direction and the throws are set up
according to the manual. Make sure there
are silicone retainers on all the clevises and
that all servo arms are secured to the servos
with the screws included with your radio.
❏
13. Make sure the jam nuts are present and
tightened on all thread-on metal clevises.
❏
14. Secure connections between servo wires
and Y-connectors or servo extensions, and
the connection between your battery pack
and the on/off switch with vinyl tape, heat
shrink tubing or special clips suitable for
that purpose.
❏
15. Make sure any servo extension cords you
may have used do not interfere with other
systems (servo arms, landing gear,
pushrods, etc.).
❏
16. Secure the pressure tap (if used) to the
muffler with high temp RTV silicone, thread
locking compound or J.B. Weld.
❏
17. Make sure all fuel lines are connected and
are not kinked.
❏
18. Use a Great Planes AccuPoint Laser incidence
meter (GPMR4020) to check the wing for twists
and attempt to correct before flying.
❏
19. Balance your propeller (and spare
propellers).
❏
20. Tighten the propeller nut and spinner.
❏
21. Place your name, address, AMA number and
telephone number on or inside your model.
❏
22. Cycle your receiver battery pack (if
necessary) and make sure it is fully charged.
❏
23. If you wish to photograph your model, do this
before your first flight.
❏
24. Range check your radio when you get to the
flying field.
-62-
One might question the selection of an older
technology, bulkier radial engine vs. a more modern
and streamlined "V" engine for the P-47. A problem
of "V" engines is their liquid cooling systems
(including a radiator) which is susceptible to gun fire.
Before Glycol became available, liquid cooled
engines also featured extremely large radiators
adversely affecting aerodynamics. Early P-47
design team members were not willing to "put all
their eggs in one basket" and utilized "V" engines for
some of their other projects.

FLYING

The Top Flite Giant P-47 is a great-flying scale
warbird that flies smoothly and predictably. It does
not, however, possess the
characteristics of a primary R/C trainer and should
be flown only by experienced R/C pilots.
CAUTION
(THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If, while
flying, you notice any unusual sounds, such as a low-
pitched "buzz," this may indicate control surface flutter.
Because flutter can quickly destroy components of
your airplane, any time you detect flutter you must
immediately cut the throttle and land the airplane!
Check all servo grommets for deterioration (this may
indicate which surface fluttered) and make sure all
pushrod linkages are secure and free of play. If the
control surface fluttered once, it probably will flutter
again under similar circumstances unless you can
eliminate the free-play or flexing in the linkages. Here
are some things which can cause flutter: Excessive
hinge gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Poor fit
of clevis pin in horn; Side-play of pushrod in guide
tube caused by tight bends; Poor fit of Z-bend in servo
arm; Insufficient glue used when gluing in the elevator
joiner wire; Excessive play or backlash in servo gears;
and Insecure servo mounting.
self-recovery