Top Flite TOPA0220 - Manual (Page 2)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Engine selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Retractable landing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
NOTES FROM THE DESIGNER . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Building supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
DIE-CUT PATTERNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 & 7
Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . .8
GET READY TO BUILD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Build the stabilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Build the elevators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Build the vertical fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Build the rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Hinge the elevators and rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
BUILD THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Prepare the fuselage sides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Frame the fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Install the pushrods and servos . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Install the receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Finish the fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
BUILD THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Build the right panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Build the wing tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Build the ailerons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Build the flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Hinge the ailerons and flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Join the panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Mount the servos in the wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
FINAL CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Mount the wing to the fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Mount the stab and fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Mount the fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Rough sand the model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Install the landing gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Mount the engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Install the engine cowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Balance the airplane laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Prepare the model for covering . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
FINISHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Cover with MonoKote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Covering sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Join the control surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
FINISHING TOUCHES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
GET YOUR MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . .46
Balance your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Final hookups and checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Control surface throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Identify your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Charge your batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Balance your propeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Find a safe place to fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Ground check your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Range check your radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . .49
AMA SAFETY CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
TWO-VIEW DRAWING . . . . . . . . . . . .back cover
Your R/C Nobler is not a toy, but a sophisticated
working model that functions very much like an
actual airplane. Because of its realistic performance,
if you do not assemble and operate your R/C Nobler
correctly, you could possibly injure yourself or
spectators and damage property.
To make your R/C modeling experience totally
enjoyable, get assistance with assembly and
your first flights from an experienced,
knowledgeable modeler. You’ll learn faster and
avoid risking your model before you’re truly ready to
solo. Your local hobby shop has information about
flying clubs in your area whose membership
includes qualified instructors.
You can also contact the Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500
chartered clubs across the country. We recommend
you join the AMA which will insure you at AMA club
sites and events. AMA Membership is required at
chartered club fields where qualified flight
instructors are available.
Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free phone
number below.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302
(800) 435-9262
Fax (765) 741-0057
or via the Internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the
Top Flite
Gold 30th Anniversary Edition R/C
Nobler. We are sure you are eager to build and fly
your R/C Nobler, just as we were eager to build and
fly our prototypes.
The original R/C Nobler was popular in the early 1970’s
and had a reputation for being highly maneuverable
and aerobatic. It was a short coupled model, which
enhances snap rolls and tumbling type maneuvers.
The new Gold 30th Anniversary Edition R/C Nobler
retains all of the original flight characteristics, and
builds on them with the use of today's computer radio
PROTECT YOUR MODEL,
YOURSELF & OTHERS
FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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