I just got a Phoenix Funstar 3D .40 and I am having some instruction manual problems. The instructions are not that thorough and I am a little confused on some things. First off, They give 4 nylon screws to screw down the wing but only 2 holes are in the wing and it seems to me that the wood that you screw down on on the wing is only balsa and could break through if some stress is put on it. Second, there are 2 extra pieces of balsa wood (4"L x 1" W x 1/8th Thick) which they do not explain anywhere in the manual what to do with along with 4 pieces of triangle cut balsa (3/8" x 1"L). Third, the rudder horn, when mounted, is lower than the fuse not allowing a full pull on the rudder. If the horn is correctly placed (holes lined up with rudder hinge joint) the horn will hit the fuse. Does anyone have any ideas what I am talking about and could offer some assistance... Thanks for your help in advance...

I have built 2 of these planes and love them both..first off this plane is for 3D..DO NOT get it too fast it will flutter the ailerons right off the plane...don't ask me how I know.
First question...the 4 plastic bolts are enclosed to mount the wing of course..you only need 2..the other 2 are spares if one should break..do not tighten these down to much just "snug" them up,under that thin balsa on the wing mount is a piece of hardwood triangle stock that will not break when screwing in the bolts but I just put a few drops of CA on the balsa to harden it,2nd question..I have NO idea what the square pieces of balsa wood they included where for..mine are still in the box,3rd..if the control horn is mounted per instruction the horn will come nowhere near the fuse when deflected..look at mine,one thing though,I can only get about 42mm deflection out of my servo..they call for 50mm each way..I have no problem with the 42mm.
I sure hope this helps!

I used the extra balsa as guides for the throttle ... the throttle servo is in a really dumb position, this whole plane is almost perfect to build but for the throttle servo position. Its one nice plane to fly. Really good for the price.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!! It defiantly eases the mind some. I thought maybe I was going crazy or something, like I was missing something in the manual. (P-40LUVR) I did end up installing the rudder horn just as you did, I feel better now that you did the same thing and it works for you. I was previously thinking of using the extra balsa wood where the wing bolts screw down on the wing to add some strength, but I guess I will see what happens when I get to the throttle area, I may use it as (tIANci) did. I did see in the manual not to full throttle the plane as it may break up, that is too weird. This is my first 3D Plane and I am not used to that, used to flying fast and hot doggin', something I have to watch, thanks for the warning. The plane all-in-all looks great and was packaged VERY well in the box. Everything seems pretty sturdy. I can't wait to get it all done and fly, waiting for my O.S. 50SX to come in to install into it. What engine did you guys go with? Any flight characteristics I need to watch for? Again, THANKS!

I bought a Funstar off a fellow club member for $10. Keeping in the spirit of that price, I put an old OS 46 LA engine on it. The plane will hover (at least for a while) on it!

You definately don't need to go overboard in sizing the engine for this plane. I would save the 50 SX for another project. A Thunder Tiger 46 Pro would be a good choice, and at an under $80 street price is quite a bargain.

Stuk_at_work, I do have an extra O.S. .46AX and a SuperTigre 45, how do they sound for a power plant for this plane?

I'm kind of partial to Thunder Tiger and OS engines, as they are mostly what I have in 2 strokes, but either of those two engines you mentioned should be fine. If it is a true toss up, go with whichever engine is 1) most reliable 2) lightest.

Mine was with the TT46Pro only, more than enough power. Try your 46AX on an APC 11x5 or the standard 12.25x3.75. Only thing about this plane is that being your first 3D plane you will notice that the plane can fly really slow. But do not get so slow that it stalls. This plane bleeds speed much faster than your standard aerobatic plane, so be a little careful on the final approach. When I first landed mine I was almost short!

I fly mine with a Magnum XL 46 and it is MORE than enough power...takes off in about 4 feet,straight up unlimited.
Steven..also be VERY careful not to get out too far..this plane is hard to see as far as what attitudes it's in..I put some bright green trim on the bottom of mine.
Have Fun!
Just to add..this is one of my favorite "kick back,no stress planes" to fly!

Thanks guys for the pointers, I think I am going to throw in my .46AX in it and get this thing in the air. As you all said, it sounds like it should be enough to pull this plane to the moon... I will get on it tonight and hopefully take it out for it's maiden flight on Wed. I will let you guys know how it goes. I am going away on Thursday for the whole weekend so I am going to try and get this done before Wed. Thanks again...