First
impression:
The Micro Whizz comes in a white 33? x 14?
box. All the components are individually sealed in clear plastic
bags for protection. The first thing that stood out when I opened
the box was the one piece wing and fuselage - thus making for
a quick build. The second things that caught my attention were
the large control surfaces, necessities for quick responses
in aerobatic maneuvers. This is a plane that can be stored fully
assembled in the back of a vehicle for that quick flight on
the way home from work.
Instruction
manual:
Black and white photos precede each numbered step in the assembly
of the model. There was an addendum to the manual for clarification
and improvement on several steps. Overall I found the photos
to be very helpful and the manual easy to follow. After going
through the kit contents list and making sure that all parts
were there and damage free, I was eager to get started.
Tail Surfaces:
This model starts construction at the tail. Cut a piece of 1/16?scrap
balsa ¾? x 4? and 2 squares 3/32? balsa 1? x 1?(not included
with kit). Slide the 4? balsa through the pre-cut slot in the
carbon fiber tail boom where the pushrods exit. Next place a
square under each side of the 4? balsa to prevent the tail boom
from rocking from side to side. With medium CA, glue the tail
bracket to the boom with the slot facing up and to the rear.
I was a little nervous using CA, however without cause as the
drying time allowed me to make minor adjustments. Drill a 3/64?
hole through the tail boom at the forward end of the pre-cut
slot in the bracket. I was unsure if the hole should go right
through the carbon fiber rod or just half way. On closer examination
of the tail skid I determined that the hole only goes half way
through.
The elevator comes attached to the horizontal stabilizer thus
eliminating hinges to contend with. Next I measured off the
width of the stabilizer to arrive at a center line. With the
horizontal stabilizer placed on a flat surface and the large
gap hinge surface facing up, I placed the tail boom and bracket
on the stabilizer. Using a large square with one edge running
along the hinge line I made sure the tail boom was at 90 degrees.
To double check, a measurement was taken from the tip of the
boom to the outside edge of the tail on both sides. They must
be equal. Once satisfied that the tail boom was at 90 degrees,
using a felt tip pen, I carefully outlined the tail bracket
onto the stabilizer, and using a sharp hobby knife, proceeded
to cut the covering away just inside the line. Take care not
to cut into the balsa as this will weaken the structure. While
being careful to maintain the 90 degrees, the bracket and boom
were glued to the stabilizer with medium CA. To install the
elevator horns, I cut a slot into the elevator with a sharp
hobby knife, and then I widened the slot with a small flat screw
driver to allow the horn to slide in. CA was used to glue the
horn in place, at the same time making sure the holes in the
horn lined up with the hinge line. The tail fin fit snugly into
the precut slot on the horizontal stabilizer. After marking
the covering with a felt tip pen and cutting the covering away,
I again used CA to secure the fin. Before the glue dries make
sure the tail fin is at a 90 degree angle with the stabilizer
using a square.
FUSELAGE
and WING
Cut
away the covering where the tail boom slides into the fuselage,
slide the boom in place and mark 11 ½? from elevator hinge
line to aileron hinge line. Next I used 6 minute epoxy to
glue the tail boom in place. Be careful not to block the hole
on the boom with epoxy where the pushrods enter. The manual
says to install the two control horns on the side of the aileron
by cutting a small portion of the aileron away and gluing
in place. I decided to install the horns in the same manner
as the rudder and elevator horns. This I felt would be stronger.
To install the landing gear, I secured the wheels to the wire
with a wheel collar. Use a little blue thread lock on the
screws. Incidentally the wheels measure 2? across and are
made of light but sturdy foam. Next I slit the covering on
the fuselage to enable the wire to slide into position and
used a few drops of medium CA to hold the gear in place. The
tail skid was the last thing to secure on the tail. I pushed
the small L bend into the hole drilled earlier. Once satisfied
with the fit, I glued the skid in position with CA.
MOTOR
and GEAR BOX
Motor/gearbox
supplied for the review: Great Planes ELECTRIFLY S-280 7.2-8.4
Ferrite BB Motor and an ELECTRIFLY S280 Gearbox 5:1 Ratio
STD.
The
brass pinion gear is not attached to the motor; it has to
be glued in place with the adhesive supplied with the kit.
Test fit the gear onto the motor shaft. I found the gear to
be loose, but once the adhesive was applied and allowed to
cure, the pinion would not budge. The hole in the firewall
for the gearbox had to be sanded to allow the gearbox to slide
in. Satisfied, I proceeded to drill four holes for the screws
and mounted the gearbox.
Because the wires to the motor restricted it from sliding
through the firewall, I inserted the motor from the rear without
incident.
SERVOS
AND PUSH RODS
Servos
used: FUTABA Micro Servo 3103.
Torque: 17.3 oz-in at 4.8 V
Speed: 0.11 sec/60
Dimensions: 0.86 x 0.43 x 0.78? (21.8 x 11 x 19,8 mm)
Weight: 0.34oz (9.5g)
Installing
the three servos was straight forward. Pre-drill the holes
for the mounting screws. Keep the two outer servos tight against
the fuselage and screw them in place.
Lay out the four pushrods, threaded couplers, clevises and
clevis retainers. I used a small adjustable wrench to hold
the threaded coupler while I silver soldered the pushrod in
place. Slide the rudder and elevator pushrods through the
slot in the tail boom. Snap the clevis onto the elevator and
rudder control horns. Align the rudder and tail fin. Next
I made a bend in the pushrod about 1? from the end of the
boom at the fuselage and a Z bend in the pushrod where it
meets the centered servo arm. I repeated the same procedure
for the aileron, however the pushrods needed only Z bends.
SPEED
CONTROL
Speed
control supplied for the review: Great Planes ELECTRIFLY
C-20 Mini High Frequency Electronic Speed Control w/BEC.
Input: 5-8 cells.
Output: 22A continuous max.
Operating frequency: 1.5 KHz.
BEC: 5V/1A.
Low voltage cutoff: 4.8V.
Dimensions: 0.95 x 0.65 x 0.35?. (24 x 16.5 x 9mm)
Weight: 0.60oz with wires.
Apply
a thin coat of CA to the fuselage where the Velcro will attach.
Allow the CA to dry before you do so. Stick a small piece
of Velcro on the speed control, battery and receiver.
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