Kolibri Building Instructions
Ruddervators
(2) F1.3mm carbon rod x 650mm long
(2) F1.0mm carbon rod x 50mm long
(2) F0.8mm carbon rod x 85mm long
(2) Ruddervator gusset (1/16" hard balsa, 10x19x21.5mm) see plan
Assemble with CA and wrap with sewing thread per drawing. Make sure you build
a left and a right. Fabricate control horns and set aside.
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Wing
(2) F1.5mm carbon rod x 950mm long
(4) F1.5mm carbon rod x 6mm long
(3) 265mm thread loop (see plan)
(1) Wing center rib (3/16" x 1/4" balsa) see plan
Mark the 950mm rods with white paint as per drawing. Join the rods with a 20mm overlap and wrap with sewing thread. Join the other ends in the same way to form a circle. Slide three thread loops 180mm apart onto the wing so that the wing forms an oval. Install the center rib and bind with sewing thread. Remove the center thread loop. CA the four 6mm-long rods to the wing as shown in the drawing and bind them to the wing with sewing thread.
After the wing is covered, attach four-strand sewing thread X-bracing. Tie
one end to anchor #1. Loop the thread around anchors #2 and #3. Tension the
thread until the wing has 90mm of dihedral at each tip, and tie it to anchor
#4. Correct any warps and apply a drop of CA at the center of the X. Heat shrink
the covering.
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Covering
Tape (or fasten with magnets) the mylar, finish face down, to the building board,
pulling it taut as you go. Rub glue stick onto the top of the frame and lay
the frame face down on the mylar. (Make sure the ruddervators form a left and
a right.) Trim the mylar about 3mm oversize with a razor blade. Rub glue stick
onto the bottom of the frame and wrap the mylar around the rod. The edge of
the mylar may be sealed with 20-minute epoxy if desired. Let dry overnight.
Attach the thread X-bracing to the wing (see above). Shrink from the bottom
side with a MonoKote iron on high heat setting. Do not allow the iron to touch
the rod. CA ruddervator control horns to balsa gussets.
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Main Landing Gear
(2) F1.5mm carbon rod x [see plan] long (gear strut)
(2) F.032" (0.8mm) steel wire axle, bent as
per plan
(4) .032" (0.8mm) i.d. styrene tube x 1.5mm long (wheel collar)
(2) 1.5mm i.d. (or 3/32" o.d.) metal or plastic tube x 1.5mm long (strut
stop)
(2) F48x13 main wheel
Assemble as per plan and apply a drop of teflon oil to the wheel bushings.
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Fuselage
5mm o.d. carbon tube x 54cm long (drill as per plan)
(2) 1mm i.d. styrene tube x 18mm long (sliding fit)
(2) 1mm i.d. styrene tube x 1.5mm long (press fit)
(1) .032" (0.8mm) steel wire tail wheel strut bent as per plan
(1) F30x9 tail wheel
(2) 1/16" o.d. metal tube x 1.5mm long (tail wheel collar)
(1) F1.5mm carbon rod x 76mm long (front cabane)
(1) F1.5mm carbon rod x 57mm long (rear cabane)
Draw a straight line down the length of the 5mm o.d. tube, attach paper drilling
templates with glue stick and centerpunch the hole locations with a push pin.
Drill and ream holes to indicated diameters. CA the 18mm-long styrene ruddervator
pivot tubes, front and rear cabanes and tail wheel strut into the fuselage holes.
Bind the tail wheel strut to the fuselage with sewing thread. Assemble the gear
box and motor mount. Fit motor, ESC, switch, charge jack and servos to the fuselage.
Temporarily assemble the airplane and slide the battery tray until desired CG
location is obtained. CA in place.
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Kolibri Bill of Materials
(1) F1.0mm carbon rod, 1.22m
(2) F1.3mm carbon rod, 1.22m
(3) F1.5mm carbon rod, 0.95m
(28cm) 3/16" x 1/4" balsa
(7cm) 30cm 1/16" sheet balsa
(30cm) F.032" steel wire
(10cm) 0.8mm i.d. styrene tube
(10cm) 1.0mm i.d. styrene tube
(25mm) 1.5mm i.d. tube
3cm x 5cm 1/32" birch ply
32cm x 3m x 4um aluminized mylar
(54cm) 5mm o.d. carbon tube
(2) F48 x 13 main wheel
(1) F30 x 9 tail wheel
(17cm) F0.8mm carbon rod