Who writes the instructions for ARFs ? I think every ARF I have ever assembled had instructions with a poor sequence for the assembly steps. Are the instructions tested before the product is released ? The answer is probably yes. They will work and to redo them would be too expensive. I suspect the instructions document is a copy and paste from a previous ARF so the format is carried forward.

For example, I am putting a H9 P40 (my second) together. The first thing I am supposed to do is join the wing panels. I would never do that first. If I do, then I have to wrestle the entire wing on the bench while I:

Hinge ailerons
Add aileron control horns
Setup aileron servo pushrods
Prepare retracts
Add retract covers and wheel wells
Add main gear wheels

If I do all the above before joining the wing halves, it is a LOT easier. Also, there will also be less assembly rash.

I could go on with the remaining poor step sequence that makes assembly more difficult but you get the point.

You've got to remember that the Chinese read right to left. Hold the instructions up to a mirror and you'll be fine.

Maybe we should start with the LAST step in the manual and go toward the front. You sound like an experienced builder, so no sweat for you or me; I jump around anyway, do what suits me at the moment, unless it's one of those steps that just HAS to go before something else, but it can frustrate the heck out of the newb or less experienced builder.

I had not thought of that.

Maybe it is because they drive on the left hand side of the road. I will have to get an ARF made in Britain to see if it has the same problem.

Take a look at some of the more current manuals, such as the Hellcat and Spitfire. They now have the aileron servos installed and linkages completed BEFORE joining the wing. Besides, you can't get the retract servo installed until you have the wing joined, so that has to come later anyway. --- JP

i had one tell me too remove the engine twice. what the heck for.. crazy

They drive on the right in China, about 1 thrid of the world drive on the left (the correct side) and most of those were ex colonies.

All too often I have found that when I think the instructions do something out of sequence, and I do it MY way, that I get bit by that snake that says, "See? The manual had you do it THEIR way for a reason!

There are some steps where the manual is right and must be done in order, and some steps that can be switched around. Ever wonder why the fuel tank is installed AFTER the engine? Guess you never drilled a hole into the fuel tank.
As far as Hangar 9 manuals being written in China: My understanding is they are actually written in Bloomington, INDIANA!

I'll be watching this thread. -- John
FYI: I bet no one reads their manuals very close anyway.

I think they still drive on the left in Hong Kong. Isn't that where most of the ARFs are made ?

I discard the ARF tank and install a Hayes on the CG so I don't have to worry about drilling into it.

Hmmm, The manuals are written in Bloomington, you are from Bloomington and you will be watching this thread.

Maybe I have smoked out the perp ?

My understanding is that Hong Kong is very crowded and is one of the most costly places on earth so I doubt the ARF's are made there, Hong Kong is a part of china and yes they do drive on the left, it is a left over from the british rule there, they also have a form of democracy there as well.

One day we (the British) will teach everyone the error of their ways and make you all drive on the left

It would be funny to watch everyone trying that I must admit, I still get confused and I have lived here for a year.

James,

The Brits are one of my favorit people:

- they fought the SS and von (didn't give up like the French )
- they like fast bikes [sm=thumbs_up.gif]
- make the best fish&chips
- publish most of the worlds "nudie" mags
- and so on... and so on...

BUT one thing I don't like about them is their steering wheel IS on the WRONG side of the car![X(][>:]

V.

a lot are made in singapore . i know a asian american buisness man and rc flyer who has been to a few manufacturing company's over there. according to what he told me global, sportsman aviation, and modeltech are made in the same factory. my biggest complaint about arfs is the covering jobs. he told me they do not iron the covering on like you cover your own from a kit. they wrap them, seal the seams and then they are sent thru heating oven to shrink the covering and that is why the adhesive does not adhere to the wood causing the sags and wrinkles. phoenix models and seagull are made in vietnam. they are in my opinion from experience better quality arfs than the ones made in china. but you have to understand those workers are probably only making a few dollars a day to assemble these kits

We could go into this age old arguement for a long time, I have driving licences for both the UK and US and have driven on both sides of the car, I have only ever owned manual cars, in my opinon driving on the right side of the car is better as my (and 90% of the population) stronger hand is always controlling the direction of the car, over here it is always my weaker and I have noticed a difference, in an emerancy I have to place my right hand back on the stearing, not that it happens often, or I can not do it with my left. Also not an issue when everybody is driving auto's.

hmmmmm fish and chips, if only i could get anywhere near as good here.

J

and just imagine if you are building the plane in Australia... you have to hold the directions backwards AND upside down!

The last instructions are normally to do with flying the model.

Should we fly the model before assembling it? It would save a lot of time.

[sm=bananahead.gif]

-David C.

[/quote]

... stronger hand is always controlling the direction of the car, over here it is always my weaker and I have noticed a difference, in an emerancy I have to place my right hand back on the stearing...

J
[/quote]

J, try to remember when with a GF in the car which hand would be better to have on her side?

no wonder there aint any drive-ins in the UK

Na it is better to if she is to my left, then her right hand is free.

it's hard to argue with THAT kind of logic![>:]

I just downloaded the instructions for the new H9 Spitfire ARF.

Kudos to H9. They now have someone who knows what they are doing writing the instructions sequence.

H9 ARFs just keep getting better and better.