Engine Installation In this segment, Chris Chianelli installs the gas-powered engine on a TaylorCraft giant-scale ARF plane.
Many of the assembly and flying procedures on giant-scale RC planes are the same as those on their smaller RC-plane counterparts. If you decide to use a gas-ignition image (figure A), as we did in our demonstration, there are a few minor differences, including fuel-tubing and the installation of a kill-switch.
A kill-switch (figure B) is necessary on this type of engine since the engine itself produces electricity. The kill-switch is an important safety feature that allows the engine to be shut off quickly if it is started inadvertently.
Materials: TaylorCraft giant-scale plane kit
Gas-ignition engine and mounting hardware
Wood standoffs for engine mount
Epoxy glue
Cordless drill
Screwdriver
Threading rod
Important: This demonstration shows basic instructions for assembly and operation of this particular model of giant-scale flyer. There are variations in assembly for each particular model. Read and carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with your flyer, whether it is this particular model or another. Additional information about assembly as well as running, troubleshooting and fine-tuning the model can be found in the manufacturer's instructions.
Steps: - The TaylorCraft's fuselage comes with the front-end already pre-drilled for the engine mount (figure C).
- If you are installing the optional gas-ignition image, as we did in our demonstration, you'll need to follow the manufacturer's instructions addendum describing how to drill larger holes for mounting the engine, and how to accommodate the fuel lines that you'll be installing (figure D).
- The engine is mounted with the aid of blind nuts that must be pulled into the newly drilled holes from the backside of the firewall. The four prongs on the blind nut are embedded into the wood surface at the back of the firewall for securing the engine. To position the blind nuts in this way, create a threading rod that can be fed through the holes and used to hold the blind nut (figure E) as its prongs are pulled into the wood surface on the back surface by pulling the rod forward.
- Once the blind nuts are all embedded properly in the rear of the firewall, carefully place a screw in each and tighten to embed the prongs further.
- Before installing the engine, it's important to coat the firewall with epoxy to act as a seal against fuel and heat barrier.
- For this particular gas-ignition engine, four wood standoffs (figure F) are used to mount the engine so that it is set slightly further forward. The extra distance between the engine and firewall accommodates the prop-shaft protrudes far enough forward of the front of the cowl. The wood standoffs are also coated with epoxy.
- Begin attaching the engine mount with a single screw and wood standoff, at the upper section of the firewall (figure G) according to the manufacturer's instructions and diagrams. Attach the screw loosely at first. All screws will be tightened down fully when all have been installed.
- Repeat this step on the other side of the upper firewall (figure H).
- Install the lower screws and standoffs to fasten the engine fully, using the same technique as on top.
- With all four screws installed, go back and tighten each down securely. Tighten the screws incrementally and using an alternating cross-torque technique, tightening one partially, then another, and so on until all are secured.
- Once the engine is installed, attach the fuel-feed line to the carburetor (figure I), making certain there is a good connection.
- Install the throttle linkage rod between the throttle and the throttle-servo following the manufacturer's instructions and diagrams. On this plane, the throttle linkage snaps easily in place. Once installed, check the throttle linkage (figure J) for proper operation, making certain that it can move forward and backward as it should to open and close the throttle.
- Finally, bolt on the smoke muffler (figure K) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The smoke muffler is fastened to the engine with small bolts (figure L). As with the engine mount, tighten these alternately and incrementally until all are tightened down securely.
In the segment that follows, Chris installs the smoke delivery system.
TaylorCraft by Hangar 9 Specs: - Wingspan......85.5 inches
- Scale........1/4
- Weight...... 13-15 lbs
- Engine......Gas
- Street price......about $380.00
RESOURCES :
TaylorCraft by Hangar 9 (giant-scale RC plane)
Horizon Hobby
Website: www.horizonhobby.com
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