B26 Marauder Manual
If you have not worked
with foam before, it is strongly recommended that you read the
How To section
first.
Do not discard any foam pieces that came with the kit, until
after the construction is finished.
The Wowplanes B26 is a builder's kit. We assume that the builder has at least an intermediate skill level in building RC flying models and has built kits and ARFs before in balsa, if not in foam. The objective of this manual is to illustrate the features and construction techniques that are unique to this model.
It is not the intent of this manual to show the basics such as installation of motors, radio, servos, linkages, etc. which are common to all models.
Wowplanes kits lend themselves to finishing the model in multiple ways. The model may be left as bare foam and painted with foam safe paint, covered with low temperature heat shrink covering, fiber glassed and painted, sheeted with balsa and painted, or use our revolutionary Liquid Sheeting product.
Before you start building it is recommended that you decide what option you plan to pursue. Depending on the finishing option, you may have to alter the sequence of construction outlined below. e.g. if you plan to sheet the model with balsa, it would be easier to build and sheet the individual sub-assemblies before assembling the whole plane.
Contents
1.0 Contents of the box
2.0 Fuselage
3.0 Nacelles
4.0 Wing Saddle Cover
5.0 Wing
6.0 Horizontal Stabilizer
7.0 Vertical Stabilizer
8.0 Wing, Nacelles &
Wiring Assembly
9.0 Wing Mount
10.0 Tail Mount
11.0 Finishing
12.0 Nose Cone & Battery
Compartment
13.0 Install Plastics
14.0 Servos & Control Surfaces
15.0 Motor wiring
16.0 Center of Gravity
-
Remove the inner cores but do not discard.
-
Glue the seams at the bottom of the 4 sections with 5 minute epoxy.
-
Cut the upper inner core of the mid section in 4 places as shown.
-
Glue a 1/8" by 1" piece of plywood, cut to length, in the slots provided in the fuselage sides.
-
Glue 1/16" balsa in the wire cut leading into the slot.
-
Glue the 3 foam pieces in the locations where they were cut from, as shown below.
-
There may be a gap because of the wire kerf; use low temp hot glue, since these joints will not require sanding.
-
Use a sharp, thin bladed, fish fillet or carving knife, and slice off the excess foam around the nose section.
-
Using the plastic nose cone and the cockpit canopy, shape the nose section, using progressively finer grit sandpaper.
-
Start the nose taper from the leading edge of the wing seat, around the sides and bottom of the fuselage.
-
Do not taper the top.
-
Glue the two fuselage tail sections using the alignment marks provided.
-
Sand the joints between the sections to obtain a fish belly look.
2.1 Fixed Nose Gear
2.2 Retractable Nose Gear
3.0 Nacelles
Motor mount, fixed U/C, and optional retractable U/C details.
3.1 Fixed Main Gear
3.2 Retractable Main Gear
-
Use foam part to trace shape and cut plywood.
8.0 Wing, Naccelles & Wiring assembly
Use 12 AWG or heavier stranded wire for power leads.
-
Sand top of wing saddle cover flush with fuselage.
Click here:
Final Finish
Follow the instructions on that page.
12.0 Nose Cone and Battery Compartment
Click here: Installing Plastics for example of how to prepare and paint the plastic parts.
Use the pictures below to locate and install the plastic.
14.0 Servos and control surfaces
The pictures below show a few ideas on how the hardware is installed.
15.0 Motor wiring
16.0 Center of gravity
- The Center of Gravity is located 3 1/4" back from the leading edge of the wing measured at the root where the wing enters the fuselage.
- For the first flight it is safer to locate the CG 1/4" to 1/2" in front of this location.
- The model should be balanced after all the equipment and finish has been applied. This must be the final step. Use the battery location to achieve the balance and/or add weight to the nose or tail.
HAPPY LANDINGS !!