I have this post in the ARF forum, and the response was to try it here.


I'm assembling a Hobbico Superstar ARF, and have a few questions on ways to improve the "build" quality

1. Are there any areas that need to be reinforced with tri-stock?
2. I had to remove a lot of material from the wing halves to get a standard Futaba servo to fit properly. Problem?
3. I have the (suggested) OS 40 la engine, and the mount seems too wide to secure the engine properly using the straps supplied with the kit.
Would It be ok to replace the mount with an adjustable one?
4. Is it normal for a new bushing engine to have endplay in the crankshaft, (fore to aft)?
5. The parts listing shows p/n 14, plastic caps for the wing dowels as not used?
6. Would this be a replacement for a Futaba receiver? http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXKYL2&P=7

I bought the plane, and a new Futaba 6EXAP as backup trainer for my bent Aircore 40.
The Aircore would be flight ready if I had an RX to replace the Futaba R127DF that "died" in the crash.
The RX works, it's "Not Quite Dead"
But I will not fly that RX unless I can get it properly checked out, as per suggestions here at RCU

Sorry for carrying on this long, but I have nothing fly[&o]

I can't address the other questions authoritatively, but I can take a shot at this one. Play in the crankshaft is perfectly normal. That play should go away for the most part once you install the propellor and prop nut. Bushing engines must have some clearance between the crankshaft and crankcase. There is nothing else, other than the back plate and prop to hold it in place.

Brad

1. Are there any areas that need to be reinforced with tri-stock?
No. The Superstar is airworthy as is.

2. I had to remove a lot of material from the wing halves to get a standard Futaba servo to fit properly. Problem?
No. They cut the servo hole small on purpose, not knowing what servos the R/Cer will use.

3. I have the (suggested) OS 40 la engine, and the mount seems too wide to secure the engine properly using the straps supplied with the kit.
Would It be ok to replace the mount with an adjustable one?
Yes. I suggest the Dave Brown mount to fit that engine. The GP adjustable mount is also a good one.

4. Is it normal for a new bushing engine to have endplay in the crankshaft, (fore to aft)?
Yes. All bushing engines have a little end play in the crankshaft.

5. The parts listing shows p/n 14, plastic caps for the wing dowels as not used?
That would be your choice. I like to cover wing dowels with heat-shrink tube.

6. Would this be a replacement for a Futaba receiver?
Yes. Be sure you tell them it's for a Futaba TX.

Dr.1

the superstar is a great plane, i put that plane through the ringer and it kept on going with the evo .46 it was perfectly powered, not sure about just the .40 in it, but it should be fine.. although i may warn you that the last flight of my superstar came when i was doing a fairly drastic inverted manuever and the wings broke into their separate joints so maybe if anything that needs a little reinforcement, maybe some nylon straps? or wood screws through the 2 joints where the two halves meet. otherwise it proved to be a tough plane!

Check the ply brace that joins the 2 wing halfs VERY carefully. I had the ply brace on mine fail. Close examination showed that the center part of the ply was neatly cut all the way through and it was just the outside 2 pieces of ply that were holding everything together. My wings "folded" on the 3rd flight. Hobbico did replace the plane at no charge since it was still in their warranty period and a "defect in materials". Except for that, it was an excellent flying plane. I had no problems with the replacement plane until I "dumb thumbed" it [&o]

Re your #6 question- its a good flight pack and don't worry about telling them it's for Futaba. It's an auto-shift RX and will take care of things on it's own. It'll work with almost any radio.

Better than that, swap that ply brace out for solid wood, like bass or spruce.

Dr.1

Thanks for the advice.
I've already joined the wings, but I'll look at ways to strengthen the joint.