Setup & Programming.

CG. I figure I kind of lucked out here. I did not check anything until I was almost done. I have now done my final CG checks and have found that the CG is just slightly nose heavy. I think I will be able to have it spot on or at least within recommended range without adding any weight at all.

I was concerned that the location of the elevator and rudder pushrods and servo spacing would not allow for a long enough servo arm. This was not a worry. A short servo arm that allowed everything to line up had more than the recommended high rate throws.

The throw required to activate the air valve for the retracts is very short. Even with a short servo arm, I am only using about 12% of available travel.

If you use everything available and install as recommended by Top Flight you will need 8 or 9 channels, at least 8 of which are programmable. I have a Futaba 9CAP. Here is my setup.

Ch1 R-aileron
Ch2 elevator on reversing Y
Ch3 throttle throttle kill switch Sw-F
Ch4 rudder
Ch5 retractable main & tail wheel Sw-E
Ch6 L-aileron
Ch7 flaps on a Y Sw-C
Ch8 steerable tailwheel Sw-H
Ch9 engine choke (optional) Sw-G

With proper elevator servo orientation a standard Y will operate the flaps. I have them programmed to Sw-C with two position (half and full) activation.

The elevator servos are attached to the Rx with a reversing Y that allows two servo activation off one channel.

The tailwheel is steerable off Ch8. In order for the Robart retractable tailwheel to work properly you must link about 10% left tailwheel to the landing gear switch in order for the tailwheel to clear the fuselage former when going up. I have also programmed the tailwheel on Sw-H so that I can lock it centered for takeoff, flight, and landing. Then unlock it for taxiing, kind of neat. It is programmed to work with the rudder when taxiing.

If necessary, and you can’t figure some other way to do it. You can run a cable parallel to the throttle cable and put the engine choke on a servo mounted next to the throttle servo. If you do this, the only channel left is ch9 on whatever switch you want.

Sierra recommends no more air pressure than necessary (80-100#) I have found that I can get 4-5 good complete cycles with 80# pressure. I am using a small Coleman 12v tire pump ($14) to charge the system.

Sub-par Products. Products I purchased or that came with the kit that I determined to be sub-par and what I replaced them with.

Bad part / Good part
Hughes RC “Fuel Jewel” / Dubro Fuel Valve
Robart Air Control Valve / Sierra Air Control Valve
Robart Fill Valve / Sierra Fill Valve
Canopy Screws / RC56
All small slotted & phillips screws / Socket head screws



Final Comments.

This was my first Top Flight ARF. I was pleasantly surprised. For a first-run design, the plane came out exceptionally well. Overall weight – 20.6 pounds. There are a number of labor intensive minor things required in assembling a gasoline powered, retractable, giant scale aircraft; but all-in-all, it went together with no major problems or flaws. This is one beautiful airplane.

Hits.
Overall quality & fit of parts
Ease of assembly
Instruction Manual
“Wow” factor

Misses.

Canopy paint job & installation
Fake Exhaust Manifold
Tailwheel doors
Fit of front wing fairing
Covering job

Nice touches.

Factory supplied spinner
Pre-installed pushrod housings
Hints & Tips in the instructions