Great Planes Tracer 46 Kit - GPMA0400 - Manual (Page 3)

Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions to
end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.
Please inspect all parts carefully before starting to
build! If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or
if you have any questions about building or flying this
model, please call us at (217) 398-8970 or e-mail us at
[email protected] and we'll be glad to
help. If you are calling for replacement parts, please
look up the part numbers and the kit identification
number (stamped on the end of the carton) and have
them ready when calling.
For the most up to the minute “Tech Notes” check our Web
site at www.greatplanes.com.
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes Tracer. The Tracer is intended to be an easy-to-
build, easy-to-fly, competition-ready first pattern plane. This
aircraft builds just like any conventional sport plane you've
ever built, handles like a 2-meter pattern aircraft, yet slows
down and lands as easily as your first low wing.
Framing the model is very straightforward, as most of the
structure features interlocking balsa and lite-ply. These fully
detailed instructions include complete instructions for
retract installation or fixed gear.
Flying the Tracer is a thr illing and pleasurable
experience–as it should be for an aerobatic model designed
specifically for pattern style flying! It doesn't take much
elevator or aileron throw to put the 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
aerobatic potential. The Tracer performs surprisingly well on
an inexpensive .40 and even better on a ball bearing .46
2-stroke, but seasoned experts will want to get the most out
of the Tracer by strapping on a .70 4-stroke.
We hope you enjoy building and flying your Great Planes
Tracer as much as we did the prototypes. Even if you never
plan to compete, many modelers find the contest
sequences and trimming information included on pages
42–44 beneficial for sharpening their flying skills and
providing new challenges.
❏
4-Channel Radio with Five Servos (twin aileron servos
required)
❏
One Y-Harness (HCAM2500 for Futaba) or Two 12"
Ser vo Extensions (HCAM2100 for Futaba) and
Computerized Radio
Optional radio equipment:
❏
5-Channel Radio and Retract Ser vo Required for
Optional Retract Installation
❏
Engine – See Engine Selection (above)
❏
Spare Glow Plugs (O.S. #8 for most 2-stroke engines,
OSMG2691, Type-F for most 4-stroke engines,
OSMG2629)
Items in parentheses (OSMG2691) are suggested part
numbers recognized by distributors and hobby shops
and are listed for your ordering convenience. GPMQ is
the Great Planes brand, TOP is the Top Flite
® brand
and HCA is the Hobbico ® brand.
Accessories Required to
Complete Your Tracer
PREPARATIONS
Engine Selection
There are several engines that will work well in the Tracer,
but for unlimited performance we recommend a hot 2-stroke
such as an O.S.
® .46FX or SuperTigre ® G-45. If you prefer
a 4-stroke, an O.S. .52 Surpass ™ works well and the O.S.
.70 Surpass makes unlimited vertical lines a part of every
flight experience.
Landing Gear Configuration
This plane's design provides you the option for retractable
landing gear, including complete, detailed instructions for
mechanical retracts. Even if you've never worked with
retracts before, if you purchase the items recommended
below and follow our step-by-step instructions, you should
have little difficulty.
Retractable Landing Gear (HCAP4010)
Retract Servo (Futaba
® S136G, FUTM0670)
(2) Adjustable Axle 5/32" (GPMQ4281)
(2) Pushrod with Clevis (GPMQ3772)
(2) Screw-Lock Pushrod Connector (GPMQ3870)
(8) #4 x 1/2" Sheet Metal Screw (GPMQ3154)
1/32" x 2" x 20" Ply (For making the wheel wells)
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE
INTRODUCTION
NOTE: We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top
quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the quality
and flyability of your finished model depends on how you
build it; therefore we cannot in any way guarantee
the perfor mance of your completed model and no
representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.
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