Top Flite TOPA0708 - Manual (Page 2)

2
INTRODUCTION
In 1941 the Spitfi re Mk IX was developed to counter
the German Fw 190. The Spitfi re Mk IX was developed
from the Mk V by installing the Merlin 61 engine. The
Top Flite Giant Spitfi re Mk IX ARF is modeled after the
earlier versions of the Mk IXs. This is notable by the
rounded fi n and rudder tip. Top Flite developed the Giant
Spitfi re Mk IX ARF to get you in the air quickly with a
great looking model, without the sanding and covering
required to build a kit.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections
to the Giant Spitfi re Mk IX ARF visit the Top Flite web
site at www.top-fl ite.com. Open the “Airplanes” link,
then select the Giant Spitfi re Mk IX ARF. If there is new
technical information or changes to this model a “tech
notice” box will appear in the upper left corner of the page.
ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS
If you are not already a member of the AMA, please
join! The AMA is the governing body of model aviation
and membership provides liability insurance coverage,
protects modelers’ rights and interests and is required
to fl y at most R/C sites.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252
Ph. (800) 435-9262 Or via the Internet at:
Fax (765) 741-0057 http://www.modelaircraft.org
IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you
can do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby
are to avoid fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid
fl ying near or over groups of people.
IMAA
The Top Flite Giant Spitfi re Mk IX ARF is an excellent
sport-scale model and is eligible to fl y in IMAA events.
The IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association)
is an organization that promotes non-competitive fl ying
of giant-scale models. If you plan to attend an IMAA
event, obtain a copy of the IMAA Safety Code by
contacting the IMAA at the address or telephone number
below, or by logging on to their web site at: www.fl y-
imaa.org/imaa/sanction.html.
IMAA
205 S. Hilldale Road
Salina, KS 67401
(913) 823-5569
SCALE COMPETITION
Though the Top Flite Giant Spitfi re Mk IX is an ARF
and may not have the same level of detail as an “all-
out” scratch-built competition model, it is a scale model
nonetheless and is therefore eligible to compete in the
Fun Scale class in AMA competition (we receive many
favorable reports of Top Flite ARFs in scale competition!).
In Fun Scale, the “builder of the model” rule does not
apply. To receive the fi ve points for scale documentation,
the only proof required that a full size aircraft of this type
in this paint/markings scheme did exist is a single sheet
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Academy of Model Aeronautics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IMAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SCALE COMPETITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . 3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Retractable Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Required Hardware & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . 4
Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Covering Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
MODEL INSPECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Replacement Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Common Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ASSEMBLE THE WINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Mount the Aileron Servos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Install the Flap Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Install the Aileron And Flap Pushrods . . . . . . . . 8
Mount the Retracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Join the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Install the Stabilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Install the Elevator & Rudder Servos . . . . . . . . 13
Mount the Fixed Tail Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
INSTALL THE ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
INSTALL THE AIR RETRACT CONTROLS . . . . . 18
INSTALL THE IGNITION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL THE FUEL TANK . . . 21
INSTALL THE RECEIVER BATTERY . . . . . . . . . . 21
INSTALL THE COWL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
APPLY THE FINAL DETAILS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
APPLY THE DECALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Install the Propeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Ground Check and Range Check . . . . . . . . . . 29
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
AMA SAFETY CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
IMAA Safety Code (Excerpts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuel Mixture Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
RETRACT COVER TEMPLATES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
TABLE OF CONTENTS