ORION

ORION

You have just purchased the finest R/C kit ever produced.
We have put the best materials available into your kit plus over
16 years of model airplane manufacturing know-how.
Since you are a special kind of model enthusiast whose standards
are high, we have produced this kit with your particular require-
ments in mind.
We hope you enjoy building and flying the Orion and would be
pleased to hear your comments on how we at Top Flite can con-
tinue to serve you.
TOP FLITE MODELS, INC.

The d e s i g n e r says . . . . . . . . .

The O r i o n w a s d e s i g n e d and d e v e l o p e d e s p e c i a l l y for c o n t e s t

work. For a c o m p l e t e r u n - d o w n on some of the d e s i g n f e a t u r e s
r e f e r to the June, 1960 i s s u e o f M o d e l A i r p l a n e N e w s .

T h i s k i t is the m o s t a d v a n c e d and c o m p l e t e R / C k i t p r o d u c e d to
d a t e . It i s e x a c t l y a s the o r i g i n a l m o d e l w i t h a f e w i m p r o v e m e n t s .
In a high p e r f o r m a n c e c o n t e s t m o d e l g o o d w o r k m a n s h i p is e s s e n -
tial. M o s t i m p o r t a n t o f a l l , f l y i n g s u r f a c e s must be t r u e — more
on this l a t e r . T h e s h i p s h o u l d be f l o w n w i t h a m i n i m u m of eight
c h a n n e l s , and not r u d d e r o n l y .

A t t h i s w r i t i n g the p r o t o t y p e has had a full season o f contest

f l y i n g w i t h no w e a k p o i n t s s h o w i n g up.

In spite of the advanced design the Orion is simple to build.

 HINTS ON GLUING
Glue j o i n t s are i m p o r t a n t — u s e y o u r f a v o r i t e glue. Cut 2 pieces
of s c r a p b a l s a 1/8 x 1 x 2 f o r t e s t b a r s . Glue t h e s e p i e c e s to-
g e t h e r t h u s g i v i n g t w o s q u a r e i n c h e s of glue a r e a . W h e n d r y , try
p u l l i n g a p a r t to t e s t y o u r g l u i n g t e c h n i q u e . D o u b l e g l u i n g is
r e c o m m e n d e d on a l l h i g h l y s t r e s s e d j o i n t s s u c h a s d o u b l e r s ,
m o t o r m o u n t s , j o i n i n g the w i n g h a l v e s , stab and rudder a t t a c h -
m e n t , l a n d i n g gear i n s t a l l a t i o n , e t c .

W h i t e glue, s u c h a s " E l m e r ' s " , is r e c o m m e n d e d for p l y w o o d and

the h a r d w o o d motor m o u n t s . Good g l u i n g w i l l pay o f f in p e r f o r m -
ance.

FUSE, STAB, ELEVATORS & RUDDER

Before s t o r t i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n s t u d y p l a n c a r e f u l l y to b e c o m e f a m i -
liar w i t h a l l t h e p a r t s . It is r e c o m m e n d e d that the f u s e l a g e c o n -
s t r u c t i o n be s t a r t e d f i r s t . T h e f u s e need not be b u i l t o v e r the
plan.

1. P i n the two f u s e s i d e s t o g e t h e r and l a y on the p l a n to t r a n s -

f e r l o c a t i o n o f a l l f o r m e r s a n d the thrust line. U s i n g a b a l l
p o i n t pen m a r k t h e s e l o c a t i o n s on the edges o f the f u s e
s i d e s . T h e s e l i n e s s h o u l d be t r a n s f e r r e d a c c u r a t e l y t o i n s u r e
g o o d a l i g n m e n t . T h e f u s e s i d e s may n o w be t a k e n a p a r t and
the t h r u s t l i n e m a r k e d the f u l l l e n g t h on both s i d e s o f the
f u s e s h e e t s — m a k e one l e f t and one r i g h t . T h i s is important
a s the t h r u s t l i n e is u s e d to line up the d o u b l e r s and later to
c h e c k out the d e c o l a g e .

2. U s i n g the t h r u s t line as a guide, glue d o w n 3/32 b a l s a dou-

b l e r s F-2, F-3. F - 4 , F-5, F-6 and F-6A. W h e n dry sand f l a t to
i n s u r e good gluing s u r f a c e for motor s u p p o r t b l o c k s and motor
mounts.

3. T r i m ends of triangular longerons to length and glue to s i d e s ,

top and b o t t o m . G l u e on parts F-14, F-15 and F-16.

4. C e m e n t engine mounts and motor support b l o c k s to fuse s i d e s

l e a v i n g a 3/32 s p a c e from the top longerons for former F-7.
G l u e on s e r v o r a i l s . A t t a c h p l y w o o d parts F-10, F-11 and
F-12.

5. G l u e f o r m e r s F-7, F-8 and F-13 to one fuse side making sure

they are s q u a r e and true. A f t e r these are dry the two f u s e
s i d e s a r e r e a d y (or joining. They should be j o i n e d while ly-
ing on the ir s i d e s .

6. A f t e r the f u s e is dry s e t it up v e r t i c a l l y . Then d r a w the e n d s

o f the t a i l cone together and glue in toil p o s t F-17. If d i f f i -
c u l t y is e x p e r i e n c e d in p u l l i n g the tail cone together, the top
t r i a n g u l a r longeron m a y be saw cut s l i g h t l y or notched j u s t
behind F-8 for e a s y bending.

It is important that the tail cone be pulled together true. T h i s

may be checked by s t r i n g i n g a line from the center of F-7 to
the center o f t a i l post F-17 and m e a s u r i n g at intervals along
the tail cone.
7. Formers F-18, F-19, F-20 and F - 2 1 may now be g l u e d in
p l a c e . G l u e in 3/16 x 1/4 b o t t o m c e n t e r l o n g e r o n . W h e n d r y ,
run a s a n d i n g b l o c k a l o n g the t o p o f the f u s e to insure a g o o d
c o n t a c t f o r t o p b l o c k . S h a p e d t o p b l o c k m a y n o w be g l u e d in
place. Sheet bottom of fuse.

8. S h a p e d top n o s e b l o c k s a r e n e x t a t t a c h e d . A p i e c e of 1/4
s h e e t is j o i n e d to t o p n o s e b l o c k s in f r o n t of F - 1 3 . Glue
h a t c h j a m s in p l a c e a n d c u t out top h a t c h b l o c k . A t t h i s p o i n t
a l l o t h e r b l o c k s m a y be g l u e d in p l a c e . Be s u r e to d r i l l the
e n g i n e m o u n t s and i n s t a l l the b l i n d n u t s b e f o r e a t t a c h i n g the
b o t t o m n o s e b l o c k in p l a c e .

9. D u r i n g d r y i n g p e r i o d s on the f u s e , c o n s t r u c t i o n on the s t a b
should proceed. S t a b s h o u l d be b u i l t o v e r the p l a n . U s e a
p i e c e o f w a x e d p a p e r o v e r the p l a n so t h a t the glue w i l l not
s t i c k to it. It i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t s t a b be b u i l t on on a b s o l u t e l y
f l a t s u r f a c e . (See s u g g e s t e d m e t h o d under W I N G s e c t i o n . )

10. P i n s h a p e d s t a b , l e a d i n g a n d t r a i l i n g e d g e s and 5/16 t i p s to

p l a n . G l u e p l y w o o d b r a c e s in p l a c e . G l u e a l l 3 / 3 2 x 5/16
d i a g o n a l r i b s in p l a c e . G l u e on t o p s p a r a n d d i e - c u t c e n t e r
s e c t i o n p l a n k i n g . W h e n dry r e m o v e s t a b f r o m p l a n and g l u e on
b o t t o m s p a r and p l a n k i n g . A f t e r s a n d i n g s t a b , b e v e l d i a g o n a l
r i b s n e a r l e a d i n g and t r a i l i n g e d g e s as s h o w n on p l a n . C o v e r
w i t h s i l k leaving center section uncovered where stab attach-
e s to f u s e .

Sand e l e v a t o r s to s h a p e . Cover with silk.

A s s e m b l e f i n by g l u i n g R 1 , F 1 A and R 2 d o w n on a f l a t sur-
f a c e . Do l i k e w i s e for rudder p i e c e s R 3 and R 3 A . When dry
s a n d to shape.

The stab on the O R I O N is glued permanently in place. Be

sura to w o r k on it s i m u l t a n e o u s l y w i t h the fuse in order that
c o m p l e t i o n of the f u s e w i l l not be d e l a y e d .

11. B e f o r e a t t a c h i n g stab to the f u s e l a g e , the f u s e should be

c a r v e d and s a n d e d to s h a p e . A long b l a d e " X a c t o " k n i f e con
be u s e d to r o u g h it to s h a p e . For s a n d i n g u s e 3M P r o d u c t i o n
F i n i s h i n g p a p e r — #80 f o r r o u g h i n g and # 1 5 0 f o r f i n i s h i n g .

C o n t o u r s s h o u l d be as c l o s e to the plan a s p o s s i b l e . A good

w a y to s a n d is to p l a c e the f u s e b e t w e e n the k n e e s , r e s t i n g
the t o i l c o n e on a c h a i r . U s e a p i e c e of s a n d p a p e r a b o u t
4 x 1 1 a s t h o u g h u s i n g a s h o e p o l i s h i n g c l o t h . By t h i s m e t h o d
a n y c o n t o u r c a n be d e v e l o p e d .

12. A f t e r f u s e is s a n d e d it is r e a d y f o r the s t a b a t t a c h m e n t . Set

f u s e t h r u s t l i n e l e v e l w i t h a f l a t b e n c h t o p and f i t s t a b p l o t -
f o r m to the 3/16 p o s i t i v e in c id e n c e s h o w n on p l a n . T h i s is
m o s t i m p o r t a n t . It i s e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t to g e t a g o o d f i t for a
good glue joint. A f t e r t h i s i s done the s t a b m a y be d o u b l e
g l u e d to the f u s e . Be s u r e the e l e v a t o r s a r e a s s e m b l e d to the
s t a b b e f o r e a t t a c h i n g s t a b to the f u s e .
13. A s s e m b l e fin p o r t s R - 1 , F - 1 A and R - 2 . When d r y , s a n d to
c o n t o u r , f i t to s t a b and f u s e and g l u e in p l a c e . C a r e s h o u l d
be t a k e n t h a t the f i n be i n s t a l l e d true w i t h the c e n t e r l i n e o f
the f u s e . T h i s c a n be c h e c k e d by s t r i n g i n g a l i n e f r o m the
c e n t e r o f the f u s e a t F - 7 a r o u n d the f i n a n d b o c k to F-7.
A f t e r the (in i s d r y f a i r i n g s R - 4 m a y be f i t t e d . W e t t i n g the
o u t e r s u r f a c e he I ps bend ing. U s e a p i e c e o f s c r a p b l o c k to f i l l
s p a c e b e t w e e n top d e c k i n g and rudder. U s e b a l s a putty to
blend c o n t o u r s .

14. A f t e r the f u s e is f i n i s h sanded, g i v e it t w o c o a t s o f c l e a r

d o p e and then sand l i g h t l y . The f u s e and f i n n o w con be
c o v e r e d u s i n g d r y s i l k and d o p i n g through the s i l k .

WING

The w i n g is the m o s t v i t a l p a r t of the ship. A true w i n g is a must

f o r a c o n t e s t s h i p . G e n e r a l l y s p e a k i n g , the o v e r a g e w o r k b e n c h
t o p is not true e n o u g h on w h i c h to b u i l d a w i n g . A w i n g p a n e l c o n
be no truer than the s u r f a c e on w h i c h it is b u i l t .

T h e b e s t m e t h o d to g e t a t r u l y f l a t s u r f a c e is to u s e a p i e c e of
3/4 p l y w o o d a t l e a s t 12 x 36. T h i s m a y h a v e a s l i g h t w a r p or
t w i s t in it. By s h i m m i n g a n d c l a m p i n g the p l y w o o d to y o u r w o r k
b e n c h until e v e r y p o r t i o n o f i t is l e v e l , a f l a t s u r f a c e w i l l be o b -
t a i n e d . T h i s is absolutely e s s e n t i a l . U s e a g o o d s e n s i t i v e l e v e l .

1. T h e w i n g is b u i l t in t w o h a l v e s and j o i n e d later. Laminate

the four s p a r s a s s h o w n on the p l a n s .

2. Pin b o t t o m s p a r d o w n on the w i n g p l a n . Be s u r e it is p i n n e d
down a b s o l u t e l y s t r a i g h t .

3. W i t h o u t g l u i n g , p l a c e a l l t h e r i b s in t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e p o s i t i o n s
and c h e c k f o r a l i g n m e n t . By s i g h t i n g d o w n the w i n g p a n e l ,
any r i b t h a t is out of a l i g n m e n t c o n be r e a d i l y seen and
s h o u l d be s a n d e d or s h i m m e d at its c o n t a c t p o i n t to b r i n g it
in line.

4. Glue ribs down to b o t t o m spar keeping an e y e on the a l i g n -

ment.

5. A f t e r the glue s e t s , the top s p a r may be d r o p p e d in p l a c e and

glued.

6. T h e s h a p e d leading edge is a d d e d n e x t , m a k i n g s u r e to g l u e
o n l y to n o s e of rib and not to the a l i g n m e n t lugs.

7. A f t e r the g l u e is f i r m l y s e t , the b o t t o m 3" t r a i l i n g e d g e s h e e t

is s l i p p e d in p l a c e . T h i s c a n be p i n n e d and s h i m m e d into
p o s i t i o n . N e x t a d d the a i l e r o n a r e a v e r t i c a l s p a r W 3 0 .

8. A f t e r t h e b o t t o m t r a i l i n g e d g e s h e e t h a s been s e t up, r e a r
s p a r W 1 6 s h o u l d be g l u e d in p l a c e . T h i s w i l l r e q u i r e a l i t t l e
f i t t i n g w i t h a s a n d i n g b l o c k to c o n f o r m to the c o n t o u r of t h e
w i n g . R i b p a r t W 2 B i s then a t t a c h e d . W h e n t h i s h a s s e t f o r a
w h i l e , g l u e the t o p t r a i l i n g e d g e s h e e t in p l a c e w h i c h s h o u l d
be b e v e l e d s l i g h t l y to f i t t h e b o t t o m s h e e t .
9. T h e top aileron a r e a sheeting W 2 2 and W 1 8 should now be
glued on.

10. A d d the t o p l e a d i n g edge s h e e t . N o w g l u e on the rib c a p

s t r i p s . Important; odd the c a p s t r i p s b e f o r e the w i n g is re-
m o v e d f r o m the b e n c h as t h e y s t i f f e n the w i n g c o n s i d e r a b l y .
C e n t e r s e c t i o n s h e e t i n g is not put on u n t i l the w i n g is joined.
A f t e r w i n g p a n e l i s r e m o v e d from plan, bottom aileron area
s h e e t i n g is g l u e d on.

11. A f t e r b o t h w i n g p a n e l s ore built they are ready to be joined.

T h i s is the m o s t c r i t i c a l o p e r a t i o n and care must be t a k e n to
be s u r e b o t h p a n e l s a r e j o i n e d true. G o o d glue j o i n t s are
e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t at t h i s p o i n t .

12. W h e n w i n g i s d r y , g l u e in p l y w o o d rib d o u b l e r s for t h e l a n d i n g

g e a r . F o r m e d l a n d i n g g e a r w i r e is now a s s e m b l e d to the 3/8
square gear spar. T h i s unit is then i n s t a l l e d in t h e w i n g .
H e r e a g a i n , a g o o d glue j o b is e s s e n t i a l . A f t e r the g l u e h a s
s e t , b r e a k o f f the r i b a l i g n m e n t l u g s , t h e n a d d t h e b o t t o m
l e a d i n g e d g e s h e e t . C u t a 1/2" d i a m e t e r h o l e in t h i s s h e e t to
c l e a r t h e l a n d i n g g e a r w i r e . W h e n g l u i n g t h i s s h e e t on it is
i m p o r t a n t to p r e v e n t any t w i s t s f r o m d e v e l o p i n g in the wing.
A t w i s t e d w i n g is u s e l e s s on a c o n t e s t model.

13. Bottom cop s t r i p s are added next.

14. B o t t o m c e n t e r s e c t i o n is then a f f i x e d . A t t h i s point bell-

c r a n k s and control w i r e s o r e a t t a c h e d . T o p center section
sheeting is now glued in p l a c e . S e r v o o p e n i n g is cut out after
top sheeting ha* dried. W i n g t i p is then a d d e d .

AILERONS
FRISE A I L E R O N — The o r d i n a r y t y p e a i l e r o n p r o d u c e s an un-
b a l a n c e d d r a g and a d v e r s e y a w i n g c o n d i t i o n . To o v e r c o m e
t h i s t h e F R I S E a i l e r o n is u s e d . W h e n the t r a i l i n g e d g e o f the
F r i s e a i l e r o n is r a i s e d , the l e a d i n g e d g e d r o p s b e l o w the
u n d e r s u r f a c e of the w i n g . S o m e of the a i r w h i c h w o u l d n o r -
m a l l y f l o w under the a i l e r o n n o w f l o w s o v e r it. The d r a g or
r a i s e d a i l e r o n is i n c r e a s e d s o t h a t it is a l m o s t e q u a l to the
d r a g o f the one that is l o w e r e d ; thus e q u a l i z i n g the d r a g and
preventing any y o w i n g condition.

Pin d o w n b o t t o m l e a d i n g and t r a i l i n g e d g e s o n the p l a n s . G l u e a l l

r i b s in p l a c e . G l u e d o w n W 2 5 — 2 6 — 2 7 . A d d t o p l e a d i n g and t r a i l -
ing e d g e s . A d d top cop s t r i p s . R e m o v e f r o m p l a n and g l u e on W 3 1 .
A d d bottom cap strips. T r i m and sand. Install nylon hinges as
s h o w n on plan, then a t t a c h h i n g e f i t t i n g s . A i l e r o n s m a y n o w be
f i t t e d to w i n g . T h i s i s a m a t t e r o f s a n d i n g and f i t t i n g . T o p a i l e r o n
s h e e t W 2 2 m a y b e b e v e l e d and s a n d e d to g i v e the c l e a r a n c e s h o w n
on the p l a n .

COVERING AND FINISHING

1. A f t e r a l l parts are a d d e d to the w i n g it is r e a d y for sanding
and c o v e r i n g . T h e w i n g s h o u l d be c a r e f u l l y sanded. Apply
t w o c o a t s of clear d o p e and s a n d l i g h t l y . Cover with silk
o n l y , put it on d r y , d o p i n g through the silk. It is important
 when c o v e r i n g bottom of w i n g to b r i n g c o v e r i n g around W 3 0 .
T h i s a d d s s t r e n g t h to t h i s a r e a . A f t e r w i n g is c o v e r e d s p r a y
l i g h t l y w i t h w a t e r to s h r i n k s i l k . Be s u r e t h a t the s i l k is not
too t i g h t s o that the w i n g w i l l not be w a r p e d .

2. A i l e r o n s can be c o v e r e d in the s a m e m a n n e r .

3. Four c o a t s of c l e a r dope w i l l u s u a l l y f i l l the s i l k . Sand w i t h

a f e l t e r a s e r and # 1 5 0 3M P r o d u c t i o n F i n i s h i n g p a p e r , being
c a r e f u l not to c u t into the s i l k . One or t w o m o r e c o a t s of
c l e a r d o p e and s a n d i n g s h o u l d g i v e a s m o o t h s u r f a c e f o r c o l o r
d o p i n g . D e p e n d i n g on the c o l o r , t w o or three c o a t s w i l l c o v e r
qu ite w e l l .

TRIMMING
A f t e r s h i p is f i n i s h e d it s h o u l d be set up on a f l a t bench for a
final d e c o l o g e c h e c k .

1. T h e t h r u s t l i n e s h o u l d be set up p a r a l l e l to the bench top.

A t t h i s p o i n t the s t a b s h o u l d h o v e 3/16 p o s i t i v e in 6" a s
s h o w n on the p l a n . T h e w i n g s h o u l d h a v e 1/2" p o s i t i v e i n c i -
d e n c e in 12". T h i s g i v e s a d e c a l a g e of 1/8" or a b o u t 1/20 of
i n c i d e n c e . T h i s c h e c k o u t is e x t r e m e l y i m p o r t a n t . The w i n g
p l a t f o r m s h o u l d be s a n d e d u n t i l t h e p r o p e r d e c a l a g e is o b -
tained.

2. The s e r v o r a d i o gear, e n g i n e b a t t e r i e s , e t c . con now be in-

s t a l l e d . S e r v o s s h o u l d not be p o s i t i o n e d u n t i l all c o m p o n e n t s
ore i n s t a l l e d . S e r v o b o a r d can be s h i f t e d f o r e and o f t to
o b t a i n the 4-1/2" l o c a t i o n s h o w n on the p l a n .

3. W r a p r e c e i v e r in s p o n g e r u b b e r , a n d t a k e care not to i n s t a l l
it t o o t i g h t l y . T h e length o f the r e e d s s h o u l d be p a r a l l e l w i t h
t h e p i s t o n t r a v e l s o that the e n g i n e v i b r a t i o n w i l l not o p e r a t e
the r e e d s .

4. B e f o r e f l y i n g the m o d e l a v i b r a t i o n c h e c k s h o u l d be m a d e .
Run e n g i n e f u l l s p e e d h a v i n g s o m e o n e h o l d e a c h w i n g tip
l i g h t l y w i t h the r e c e i v e r s w i t c h on. W a t c h f o r any u n w a n t e d
c o n t r o l m o v e m e n t . Be sure a l l c o n t r o l s are w i r e d for p r o p e r
d i r e c t ion .

5. If d e c o l a g e s e t t i n g is c o r r e c t the m o d e l s h o u l d f l y r i g h t o f f
the b o a r d . F i r s t c h e c k for s t r a i g h t f l i g h t . M o d e l s h o u l d g r o o v e
a s t h o u g h on a r a i l r o a d t r a c k . With neutral e l e v a t o r model
s h o u l d f l y f l a t w i t h no c l i m b or d i v e . If it c l i m b s , l e a d i n g
e d g e o f w i n g s h o u l d be s h i m m e d d o w n u n t i l p r o p e r f l i g h t is
obtained. It is i m p o r t a n t t h a t the e l e v a t o r be at a b s o l u t e
n e u t r a l , a l s o t h a t b o t h e l e v a t o r s be on the s a m e p l a n e w i t h
no t w i s t . A n y r i g h t or l e f t t e n d e n c y w o u l d be c a u s e d by
r u d d e r or a i l e r o n s not b e i n g n e u t r a l or by w i n g w a r p .

6. N e x t try i n s i d e l o o p s . T h e y s h o u l d be round and r i g h t in the

g r o o v e . A n y l e f t or r i g h t d r i f t in the loop w o u l d be c a u s e d by
r u d d e r or a i l e r o n s not b e i n g neutral or by the e l e v a t o r s being
out o f line.
7. O u t s i d e l o o p s a r e t r i e d n e x t . A g a i n , t h e y s h o u l d be round and
t r u e . B e f o r e e n t e r i n g i n s i d e or o u t s i d e l o o p s be s u r e w i n g s
are l e v e l . T r u e s t r a i g h t f l i g h t s , i n s i d e l o o p s and o u t s i d e
l o o p s are o b t a i n e d by c o m p r o m i s e s e t t i n g s of r u d d e r and
a i l e r o n n e u t r a l . Do n o t be s a t i s f i e d w i t h the p e r f o r m a n c e of
t h e m o d e l u n t i l s t r a i g h t f l i g h t s and i n s i d e and o u t s i d e l o o p s
a r e p e r f e c t . If p r o b l e m s ore e n c o u n t e r e d be sure to c h e c k the
fin alignment.

8. N e x t t h i n g t o f l i g h t c h e c k is t h e a i l e r o n s f o r y a w . Do an Im-
m e l m a n d i r e c t l y o v e r h e a d . Model s h o u l d r e v e r s e its d i r e c t i o n
e x a c t l y 180 . If it is o f f t h i s h e a d i n g , a i l e r o n s need m o r e or
l e s s d i f f e r e n t i a l . If t h e m o d e l d r i f t s to the l e f t on a r i g h t
r o l l - o u t , m o r e d i f f e r e n t i a l is n e e d e d ; t h a t is, m o r e up a i l e r o n
than d o w n . T h i s c a n be a c c o m p l i s h e d by m o v i n g f u l c r u m
p o i n t f u r t h e r f o r w a r d on the p h e n o l i c a i l e r o n horn. Horn p o s i -
t i o n on p l a n is c o r r e c t but m a y v a r y f r o m m o d e l to m o d e l .

9. G e a r p o s i t i o n on p l a n is c o r r e c t f o r a v e r a g e c o n d i t i o n . For
g r a s s f l y i n g , if m o d e l n o s e s o v e r , g e a r s h o u l d be bent for-
ward. If m o d e l b o u n c e s on a hard s u r f a c e , g e a r s h o u l d be
b e n t b a c k . G e n e r a l l y s p e a k i n g , g e a r s h o u l d be a b o u t 3 / 4 " f u r -
t h e r b o c k for a h a r d s u r f a c e t h a n f o r g r a s s . G e a r p o s i t i o n is
i m p o r t a n t and is d e t e r m i n e d by t r i a l and e r r o r . W h e e l s s h o u l d
h a v e a s l i g h t toe our. Be s u r e to l u b r i c a t e w h e e l s , a s any
wheel chatter will cause ground looping.

10. It is i m p o r t a n t to s p e n d alll the time n e c e s s a r y to trim the

m o d e l p e r f e c t l y . T h i s w i l l pay o f f in c o n t e s t w i n s . A p r o p e r -
ly t r i m m e d O R I O N w i l l a c h i e v e a new s t a n d a r d of c o n t e s t
p e r f o r m a n c e for you.

RELIABILITY
On the plans y o u w i l l n o t i c e w o o d s t r i p s f o r e and o f t of the
s e r v o s . T h i s is an i m p o r t a n t d e t a i l . W i t h t h i s s y s t e m the s e r v o s
cannot d r i f t f o r w a r d or b a c k w a r d , thus m a i n t a i n i n g b e t t e r t r i m .
The s e r v o s s h o u l d not be t i g h t e n e d d o w n to a p o i n t w h e r e t h e
r u b b e r g r o m m e t s ore c o m p r e s s e d s o l i d l y t h u s d e s t r o y i n g t h e i r u s e -
f u l l n e s s . A l l s c r e w s and n u t s s h o u l d be s a f e t i e d by t a c k i n g w i t h
glue. T h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t on the a i l e r o n p a r t s .

W i t h m o d e r n r a d i o g e a r and s e r v o s t h e r e is no r e a s o n w h y y o u r
O R I O N s h o u l d not l o s t f o r y e a r s . E x p e r i e n c e s h o w s that m o s t
c r a c k u p s a r e c a u s e d by poor w i r i n g . W e r e c o m m e n d o n l y "Bonner
19" s t r a n d w i r e or e q u i v a l e n t . S o l d e r j o i n t s are i m p o r t a n t . All
s o l d e r j o i n t s s h o u l d be b r i d g e d w i t h p l a s t i c s p a g h e t t i tubing.
T h i s i n c l u d e s c o n n e c t i o n s to b a t t e r y b o x , s w i t c h , and p l u g s .

T h e r e s t is up to y o u , t h e p i l o t . T h e g e n e r a l t h i n k i n g is t h a t for
a w i n n i n g c o n t e s t t e a m it is 35% a i r p l a n e a n d 65% pilot. We f e e l
sure y o u w i l l h o v e a b o l l w h i l e f l y i n g the O R I O N .

Good Luck,