The MINI ARROW

 

Assembly Instructions

 

What you’ll need:

Hobby knife

Hot-melt glue gun and glue sticks

Packing tape

Soldering iron and solder

Pliers

 

Optional:

2-part epoxy (dry time you’re comfortable with) instead of hot glue

Krylon H2O spray paint

 

Mini Arrow foam pieces:

1. Wing (Image 1)

2. Right and Left rudders (Image 1)

3. Right and Left skid/battery box rails (Image 1)

4. Battery base (Image 1)

5. Right and Left Elevon (Image 1)

 

                Image 1

 

 

Other Components:

A.      Speed Controller 6-10Amp (Image 2)

B.       Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) Battery 250-350mAh 7.4V or 11.1V (Image 2)

C.       Mixer (Image 2)

D.      50g servos (2) (Image 2)

E.       9g, 50W or 16g, 70W Lazertoyz motor (Image 3)

F.       Wooden stick and motor mount (Image 3)

G.       Receiver (Image 3)

H.      Propeller (5x3) (Image 3)

I.         Prop saver (Image 3)

J.        Packing tape

K.      Control Rods (2)

L.       Control Horns (2)

M.     Control Rod Retainer Clips (2)

N.      Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rod (optional)

 

Image 2

 

Image 3

 

 

 

 

Before beginning:

 

If there is black printing on the foam it can be removed using a mild cleaner such as Fantastic or Windex.  Allow the cleaner to sit for a moment then gently wipe off.  Repeat this process as needed.

 

If you choose to paint your plane you may want to paint it before assembling.  This will allow some creative color schemes by painting the different parts different colors.  Painting the top and bottom sides of the foam contrasting colors will enhance visibility when flying.  Colored tape can be added for accents as well.  Be careful when choosing paint as some may melt the foam.  We recommend Krylon H2O.  Again, it is best to paint such that the top of the plane is easily differentiated from the bottom when in flight. 

 

You will notice there is a smooth side and a rougher side of the foam.  Neither side is the ‘top’ or ‘bottom’.  Orient the pieces as you desire.

 

Many types of glue can be used in construction.  We found hot-melt glue to work best for gluing the foam pieces together and attaching components.  Hot-melt glue allows you to reposition the piece but also dries fast.  You can also reheat exposed glue for smoothing or removing excess.  Be careful not to touch the hot tip of the glue gun to the foam as it will melt the foam.  Always follow the instructions and warnings provided with the glue gun.  Always use a low temperature glue gun.  These instructions assume you are using hot-melt glue.

 

 

  1. Dry-fit Servos (D).  Before mounting the rudders, dry-fit the servos into the top side of the wing’s servo cutouts and plan for the orientation of your control rods (K).  Mount the rudders so they do not interfere with your planned routing of the control rods.  The control rods can route on either side of the rudder.  (Image 4)

 

                Image 4                                                                                  Image 5 

 

  1. Attach rudders (2).  Be sure that the rudders are mounted straight (front-to-back).  Create a straight-edge guide by aligning the top edge of a post-it note along the back edge of the prop cutout (Image 5) and draw a light line.  (The trailing edge of the wing is cut at a slight angle so do not use the trailing edge as a reference.)  The front of the rudder should (approximately) line up with the front edge of the prop cutout.  Place a bead of glue on the bottom of the rudder that will contact the wing and hold rudder in place.  Place a reinforcing bead of glue on each side of the rudder.  Repeat for other rudder. 

 

Hint:  Rudders can be mounted at an angle for a different look without affecting flying characteristics.  (compare Image 4 and Image 8)

 

  1. Mount Battery Base (4).  The battery base provides structural support for the battery, motor and other electronics.  (Image 6 and 7) Align the battery base piece with the front edge of the motor notch on the bottom of the wing.  The battery base will protrude past the nose of the plane.  Insure that it’s centered and glue in place.  Remove the protruding portion of the foam with a sharp knife using a bevel cut toward the back. 

 

 

                Image 6                                                                                  Image 7

 

  1. Mount Battery Box Rails/Skids (3).  These rails create a chamber inside which your electronics and battery are mounted and protected.  (Image 6 and 7)  The rails also create skids for your Mini Arrow to land on.  When properly mounted the skids rest on the surface of the wing (1) and butt against the Battery Base (4).  The angled edge of the skid mounts forward and the straight edge is aft.  The skid needs to be trimmed to length.  Align the point of the tapered edge with the front of the wing (be sure the skid is butted against the Battery Base (4)) and mark the back of the skid where it extends into the prop cutout.  Trim the end of the skid square at your mark.  Cut off a corner of each skid nearest the motor to provide a routing channel for the servo wires.  Glue skids in place insuring they are perpendicular to the wing surface.  Once dry place a reinforcing bead of glue along each joint and reinforce edges that will contact the ground upon landing..

  2. Install Elevons (5).  Mount Elevons as shown with the beveled edge at the wing’s bottom edge.   Cut a piece of packing tape (J) 1/4” shorter than the length of the Elevon.  Center and stick half of the tape on the leading edge of the Elevon such that there is 1/8” gap on each end.  Place the Elevon into position and angle it in the DOWN position so it’s movement is not restricted by the tape.  Now attach the free side of the tape to the wing.  This creates a ‘tape hinge’.  (See Image 8 and 9)  Repeat with the other Elevon.

 

Hint:  For extra strength you can wrap a piece of thin packing tape around the leading edge of each Elevon (covering the 45 degree bevel) where the Elevon will meet the wing.  Do the same on the trailing edge of the wing where the wing meets the Elevon.  This gives the tape hinge some extra holding power and will help the joint last longer. 

 

 

Image 8                                                                                  Image 9

 

  1. Install Control Horns (L).  First, assemble the control horns by pushing the horn into the base slot and gluing the two pieces together so they are perpendicular to each other.  Allow to dry.  The location of the control horns will be determined by the specific routing of your control rods.  Determine the best location and cut a slot in the Elevon.  Orient horn so that it angles toward the front of the plane and glue in place.  Be sure that the forward-most part of the horn is no farther forward than the leading edge of the Elevon.  (See Image 10)

 

 

                Image 10                                                                                Image 11  

 

  1. Mount Motor (E).  Attach the motor mount to the stick (F) using the included hardware.  Insert the stick into the mount until the trailing edge of the stick is flush with the back of the mount.  Glue the stick to the top of the wing allowing the mount to rest against the front of the motor notch.  (See Image 11)  Install motor into the intended location using the bushing if necessary and secure with the nut and bolt.  Route the motor’s wires to the bottom of the wing. 

  2. Mount Servos (D).  Install the servos from the top side of the wing into the servo cutouts.  Be sure the wires route to the bottom of the wing and glue in place. 

  3. Attach control rods (K).  Cut two control rods slightly (about half inch) longer than the distance from the servo arm to the control horn (with Elevon in the neutral position).  On one end, make two 90 degree bends and insert into the middle hole of the servo arms as shown.  (See image 12)  At the other end, make one 90 degree bend at a location that will allow the Elevon to be at the neutral position.  Insert into the middle hole of the control horn and secure with the control rod retainer clip.  Repeat for other control rod.

 

Hint: It may be easier to install the control rods so that the Elevons are slightly down when in place.  You can then put bends in the rod to ‘take up the slack’ in the rod so the Elevons are in the desired position.

 

 

 

 

  1. Mount Electronics (A, G and C).  In the rear most portion of the Battery Box neatly mount the Speed Controller (A), Receiver (G) and Mixer (C).  Be sure to power up and test electronics before securing in place.  Once you have tested and found the best locations for each component glue them in place.

  2. Mount Battery (B).  The battery should be mounted such that it is the final adjustment for proper balancing of the Mini Arrow.  The center of gravity on the Mini Arrow is the front edge of the prop cutout.  Mount the battery with Velcro so that its location can be adjusted to achieve proper balance. 

  3. Connect Electronics.  Make these connections:

    1. Motor to speed controller

    2. Speed controller to receiver

    3. Servos to Mixer

    4. Mixer  to receiver

Refer to the each component’s manufacturers instructions for specific details of connection and operation.

  1. Mount Propeller.  Install the prop saver on the shaft of the motor and install the propeller.

  2. Test controls verifying proper up/down and left/right action of Elevons and proper rotation of propeller. 

 

Hint:  For extra strength of the leading edge use 1mm carbon fiber rod and place2" packing tape on one side of the wing I" into from leading edge. Then  position the carbon fiber  on the leading edge and roll the tape under the wing securing the carbon fiber. Duplicate procedure in the other half of the wing .

 

Thanks For choosing the MINI ARROW from Lazertoyz hope you have many hours of fun flying !!

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