1 Model Aero AT-6 Texan Introduction We are excited to introduce the Model Aero AT-6 Texan! Originally used as an advanced trainer by the U.S. Armed Forces, the AT-6 is a relaxing slow flyer, equally at home indoors or outside on calmer days. It s simple construction and inexpensive electronics result in a fast building plane that is a joy to fly. We hope you enjoy it as much as we have. Scott DeTray Email: info@modelaero.com www.modelaero.com Phone: 419-966-2230
Specifications 2 Wingspan: 36 Length: 29 AUW: 7-9 oz. Wing area: 268 Sq. in. Wing loading: 4.1 oz/sq ft Motor: 2204 ESC: 10 amp Battery: 450 (recommended for indoor) to 850 3S Lipo Prop: APC 7 x 4 Slow Fly Servos: 6 gram (2) Flight controls: Rudder, elevator, throttle Additional Items Required Glue: Epoxy, thick foam safe CA, Foam Tac, 3M 45 spray adhesive Hinge tape Power system: Motor, ESC, servos (2), prop, battery, radio Miscellaneous modeling tools It is recommended that you read through the construction guide completely and study all the pictures carefully before you begin building. Note that some photos may be slightly different than your kit. Also, some construction photos show our Sportster kit. In this case the construction is identical to the AT-6. Additionally, some construction photos may show decals already on the plane. You may find it easier to apply some of the decals such as the wing, fuselage, and tail during assembly, rather than after the plane is built.
Construction 3 Glue the four 3 mm dihedral brace covers onto the wing panels, top and bottom. Be sure not to flatten the wing during this step. You need to maintain the airfoil shape. Note that on the AT-6 there are notches in the wing and dihedral brace covers for the servo wires. Sand this edge perpendicular to the work table Next, prop each wingtip up 2 and sand the root edge perpendicular to the table. This will provide a more flush fit when the wing halves are joined.
4 Glue the 3 wood dihedral braces into one of the wing panels. It s best to use a slow setting glue for this step such as epoxy of Foam Tac. Next join the other wing panel. Note: There should be 4 of dihedral in the wing. When one wing panel is flat on the table, the opposite wingtip should be 4 off the table.
5 Glue the rudder assembly to the center fuselage section. Next cut the rudder free, then bevel the vertical stab before gluing the outer fuselage pieces in place. Laminate the 3 fuselage sections together, making sure to keep the fuselage straight. Use the front end, the servo cutouts, and the elevator slots as alignments guides when gluing the pieces. We have been using 3M 45 adhesive for this and it works quite well. Of course other adhesives can be used. Photo above shows the completed fuselage with decals in place. Note that the servos are in place and the wires routed down through the channel. The rudder and elevator have been beveled and hinged with Scotch transparent tape. The inset picture shows the elevators attached to the short carbon piece. This is done before hinging.
7 The push rod assemblies consist of the 13 carbon rods with wire at each end. Use the shrink tube to secure the wire to the carbon. We use Z bends on the wire pieces to attach to the servo horn and control surface horn. Note the plywood push rod guide inserted into the slot in the fuselage. Note the motor mount (painted black) has a small amount of right thrust. We recommend 2 degrees of right thrust. The wheels are secured with the provided 4-40 screws and washers. We recommend a small amount of CA in the screw hole for strength. The silver decal is shown applied. Note that we paint all the wood pieces black. This is not necessary but it looks better.
8 Photo above shows our preferred location for the RX and ESC. The landing gear have been glued in place and the wires fed through the wing and the wing glued in place. We secure the battery with a piece of Velcro.
Assembly is complete! Use the photos above and below for reference when applying the decals. Decal application instruction are below. 9
Decal Application Our kits use two different styles of decals. Some are simply peel and stick and some have backer paper. For decals with backer paper, use the instructions below. 11 Before applying the decals, clean the foam of sanding dust. An effective way to do this is with a tack rag or packing tape. Laying the tape down and peeling it off removes all the dust from the foam, allowing the decal to stick better. Trim each decal as shown in photo, leaving 1/16 to 1/8 of the backer paper around the decal. Then, peel the decal/backer from the sheet & place the decal in the desired location and press down thoroughly. Very carefully peel the backer paper off the decal, making sure the decal stays on the plane. If the decal lifts off the plane, just press it back down and try another corner. Tweezers work very well for grabbing the backer paper. Additionally, a bit of Windex or water applied to the backer paper will soften it and ease it's release. Just be sure not to get any moisture under the decal itself.
Setup and Flying 12 The AT-6 is designed for indoor or outdoor flying in fairly light winds. Control throws: High rates: Elevator ¾ up and down Rudder 1 left and right Low rates: 70% of high rates Center of gravity: 2 1/2 back from wing leading edge The AT-6 is a very docile and forgiving flyer. A gentle toss with 1/3 power is all that s required to get her flying. ROG s are a breeze off hard surfaces. The under cambered wing makes slow flight a joy, and you ll be surprised how far she will glide on final approach. Also, this would make a fine trainer for up and coming pilots. I certainly hope you enjoy this plane as much as I have! Scott DeTray Model Aero 419-966-2230 www.modelaero.com Email: info@modelaero.com
Please consider our other designs for your flying pleasure! Polaris, Mini Polaris, Micro Polaris, and Polaris XL Aqua Cat and Aqua Jet EDF
Aqua Cat SE
Polaris EX
Sportster Park Flyer
Drifter Surface Vehicle AeroCat and MiniCat www.modelaero.com