Installing The Optional Aero-Tow Release; Compression Struts; Completing The Canopy; Installing The Canopy Retainer - GRAUPNER Tangent Alpina 4001 PRO Notice De Montage

Installing the optional aero-tow release

This is also a good time to install the aero-tow release (if required). There is a good selection
of purpose made model aero-tow release mechanisms available commercially for which
installation techniques vary, but the simplest form is described below:
Carefully mark out and cut a 10mm slot about 2mm wide transversally about 5cm from the
nose and with the lower third of the fuselage diameter. Using thickened epoxy, fix a length of
PVC Bowden tube along the inside of the fuselage such that it intersects the slot at 90
degrees. The slot should be positioned so as to allow at least 5-10mm of the PVC tube in
front of the slot.
Once the resin has cured, cut away the Bowden tube from inside the slot and insert a length
of steel wire inside the tube such that it engages both sides of the slot when closed and is
clear of the slot when open. Connect the free end of the steel wire to a suitable servo to
operate the aero-tow release. You will require a simple loop, best made from monofilament
nylon to link up to the towline.

Compression Struts

The two hardwood compression struts are necessary to help to protect the fuselage from
damage in the event of a hard landing. Carefully adjust the two hardwood pieces to fit the
inside width of the fuselage, one just forward of the leading edge incidence pins and the
second just aft of the trailing edge incidence pins. It is important that these struts fit snugly,
without distorting the shape of the fuselage in any way. They are bonded into place using
suitably thickened epoxy resin.

Completing the canopy.

The Carbon canopy is supplied ready made and requires only minimal finishing. Place the
canopy on the fuselage opening, carefully check the joint and adjust as necessary for a
perfect fit. Minimum gap and good overall appearance will be your just reward for a little
extra time and effort at this stage. Follow the steps below to install the canopy retainer,
taking care to check the fit at each stage.

Installing the canopy retainer.

The Carbon canopy is held in place by a combination of a forward pin and a rear GRP leaf
spring.
The forward canopy pin is held in place by the channelled hardwood support. The support
is glued to the inside of the canopy, at a position just inboard of the forward canopy
opening in the fuselage, using thickened epoxy. Be sure to roughen the inside of the
canopy with abrasive paper before gluing. The canopy pin is likewise bonded into the
channel in the hardwood support – such that the pin protrudes about 13mm from the front
of the support to engage with the rim of the fuselage opening. Once cured, test fit the
canopy, and a 3mm drill or suitable round file to form a recess in the forward rim of the
fuselage opening to accommodate the canopy pin. Re-check and trim carefully until a
perfect fit is achieved.
The rear leaf-spring is fixed such that the end of the spring protrudes about 10mm from the
inner rear edge of the canopy Prepare the area 50-60mm along the width of the leaf-spring
for bonding to the canopy using abrasive paper. Glue the spring in place first using an
Graupner GmbH & Co. KG * Henriettenstraße 94-96 * D - 73230 Kirchheim/Teck *
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Fig 1. Aero-tow Release
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