INSTALLATION OF RUDDER
ADDED 6/9/02
  1. Cut the rudder along the scribed line; leave a three-quarters inch tip on top of the fin. Trim an extra quarter (1/4) inch off the fin to make room for the balsa that will make up the hinge line. Use a dremel to remove 5/16 inch of the material from inside the fin. Make the balsa flush with the back of the fin. Fill the underside of the three-quarter inch tip with balsa.

  2. On the rudder, insert 5/16 inch of balsa. NOTE: The balsa must protrude about ¼ inch from the rudder to make up for the quarter inch cut from the fin. Make the balsa flush with both sides of the rudder. Fill the top and bottom of the rudder with a strip of balsa. Bevel the balsa to allow for good rudder movement. Use five large Robart hinges to prevent flutter. Recommendation: Use Du-Bro Cat. N. 716 Super Strength, T-Style Control Horns near the bottom of the rudder. (Note: We had the Robart Hinge/Control Arm break during a sustained knife edge.)

  3. Fiberglass Bubble: To hide the rudder servos, place a bubble on the fin exactly where the servo will be placed. Draw a line around the bubble. Place the servo inside the line. Draw another line around the servo. Cut the fin along this line for the servo to fit inside. Place the servo inside the fin as far as possible. With one side of the servo touching the side of the fin, cut two pieces of polyply to fit under the servo mounts. Use epoxy to glue the polyply in place. NOTE: Mount the servos as close to the wings as possible.

  4. Route the tunnel for the servo lead to a place where the wire can be brought out and then into the fuse. Place the servo as close to the tunnel as possible. Make sure everything clears the wing. Opening a small tunnel for the servo lead is somewhat difficult because of the construction of the fin. Use a 4-40 rod for the linkage and bolt on ball links to prevent flutter.
RUDDER SERVO INSTALLATION
UPDATED 12/3/01
  1. Mark fuselage top outline on inside of fin.

  2. Measure up ½ inch from this outline approximately 4 inches from rudder hinge line.

  3. Lay servo on its side with top edge of servo even with the ½ inch mark and center on the 4 inch mark.

  4. Draw outline of servo on fin.

  5. With router attachment on dremel and a 1/8 carbide burr. Set to a 1/8 inch depth, remove material inside servo outline. NOTE: cut only inside the lines, servo must fit tight. Also cut a ¼ inch wide by ¾ inch long slot for the servo arm to operate.

  6. With exacto chisel blade, remove existing foam from inside servo cutout so only exterior glass surface remains.

  7. Cut a oval slot below top fuselage outline, mark only large enough for servo plug to fit through. Remove foam between servo opening and slot for lead.

  8. Drill two ¼ inch holes only thru inside of servo skin ½ inch on either side of servo opening and approximately centered with servo.

  9. Cut two pieces of ¼ inch dowel 5/8 inch long and epoxy into ¼ inch holes in fin.

  10. Apply RTV to inside surface of servo and install servo in fin. Clamp firmly until set.

  11. Notch servo cover for servo arm. Tape in place over servo. Drill thru cover into center of dowels for cover screws.
WING ALIGNMENT
UPDATED 12/10/01
  1. After cutting out main gear openings, wing mounting bolt guide tubes are accessible.
  2. With 3/16 inch drill bit, open side of fuse for wing bolt. (Place bit from inside main gear area into guide tube point. First, tap lightly with small hammer until side of fuse is dimpled, then drill from outside with ¼ inch bit.)
  3. Install wing with both aligning dowels and aluminum tube on fuse with bolt in guide tube and wing flush to fuse and held securely. Use long punch and hammer tapping firmly on mounting bolt head. This will mark wing root, drill ½ inch hole in wing root to depth of threaded insert.
  4. Insert wing-mounting bolt with a 6mm nut on outside of fuse side then a ¼ inch fender washer. Coat threads of mounting bolt with bar soap. Slip a piece of plastic wrap three inch square on bolt to prevent the washer from sticking to wing root. Screw the threaded insert on the mounting bolt.
  5. Mix one full squeeze of aeropoxy gun then fill ½ inch hole in wing root and coat outside of threaded insert.
  6. Install wing on fuse using both dowels and aluminum tube. Push until flush with fender washer on mounting bolt.
  7. Place masking tape in long strips to hold wing tightly against fender washer. NOTE: You will see approximately ¼ inch gap front and rear of wing root to fuse. Use ¼ inch balsa scraps in gap to hold it square.
  8. Wait 24 to 36 hours. Remove tape and unscrew mounting bolt. Viola! Perfect alignment!
AIR BRAKE / INSTRUCTIONS
      In my opinion, installing an air brake on the Firebird is not merely an option, but an absolute must do item.

      Situate the air brake on the bottom of the fuselage to maximize drag. The air brake is servo operated. You will need a 40º deflection. At present, the air brake on my model (Blue Angel #2) measures 3 inches x 6 inches. I suggest an increase in the size of the air brake to 3.5 x 6.5 inches. The air brake is located 23" from the rear of the cut to the rear of the fuse. NOTE: Make sure the brake is forward enough to accommodate the fuel cells.

      After cutting the door, soak all sides of the air brake with thick CA and temporarily attach the air brake to the fuse with tape to insure the air brake maintains its shape.
INSTRUCTIONS OVERSIZE CANOPY/HATCH
      Mark the fuse with tape according to the following dimensions: Front contour 5", Rear contour 7.5", front to back 17".

      Lay cardboard over the opening and make a template for the new formers. Cut the formers from 1/8 light polyply. Attach with CA (see picture on website, www.Jetadic.com ). Run a bead of epoxy around the underneath side. Use the same template to cut the formers for the canopy/hatch. Match these formers to the installed formers before final gluing to insure a good fit.

      Use two dowels in the front of the hatch with reciprocals in the fuse. Use BVM hatch pins along the 19" railing. Use one BVM hatch latch on rear of hatch.



Recommended Hi Tech Servos with Receiver Compatible Leads for the Euro Firebird:

Rudders (2) HS 225 MG
Elevons (2) HS 5945 MG
Steering HS 225 MG
Airbrake HS 645 MG
Wheel Brake HS 300
Retracs HS 300

Note:
A 4 cell receiver battery pack is adequate for wet weight of less than 20 lbs.
A 5 cell receiver battery pack is recommended for wet weight greater than 20 lbs.