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SlingShot Build Thread

RafaelAvila

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Staff member
Post #1

I’ll post the entire kit assembly here. I have to say, it’s super simple, but it can be a little tricky if you don’t assemble it in the correct order haha.
Lets Get Started with some information

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CG 55mm from LE

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Alright, let’s go.

First step: move all control surfaces up and down a few times until you feel they are moving freely and no longer feel stiff.

After that, you can use masking tape to create a clean and uniform channel for the hinge work with E6000 glue.
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Apply the tape like shown in the photo, then spread the E6000 evenly on the top side using cotton swabs. After that, repeat the same process on the bottom side to create a thin and uniform layer.

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Repeat this for all control surfaces: ailerons, flaps, and elevator.


Before gluing anything together, remember to do everything that needs to be done first. The very first step is to do a dry fit of all the carbon fiber rods. Some of them may need to be sanded down to the correct size, since they were intentionally made a little longer so they can be adjusted as needed.
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First, I remove the plastic housings from the JR connectors, connect them, and protect the connection with heat shrink tubing.
I do this for both aileron servos.

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Alright guys, from this point on I’ll try to be as straightforward as possible. If I miss explaining something, feel free to ask in the comments/posts, and I’ll keep updating this build log.
First, I install the servos for the ailerons, Don’t forget to center your servos and install the appropriate servo arms aligned properly to avoid geometry issues later on.

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As you can see, I’ve already routed the servo cable through the wing and installed the servo in place. I also fitted the other wing half to make sure everything was aligning and fitting correctly.


Going back to this image, after doing the dry fit of everything, I can now take this wing section and install the aileron joiner and also the main spar.

I really like to add a few drops of medium CA into the hole and then slide the carbon fiber rod all the way in. This part is very simple.
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After the main spar is installed and glued in place, you can also add a few drops of glue, allowing it to wick down and spread throughout the entire area.

I’ll continue in post 4 for the wing. sorry
 
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POST #2

Fuselage build.

The fuselage assembly is simple and does not require anything special, other than a drill bit to slightly enlarge the holes on the vertical stabilizer to the correct size for assembly.

First, take the tail section of the Slingshot. I like to do a dry fit first to make sure the carbon fiber rod will go all the way to the end.

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Then, I start by adding a few drops of medium CA into the hole so the entire inside area is secured with glue, and after that I insert the carbon rod.
I repeat this process for all 3 holes.

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I wait a few minutes to give the glue time to cure. After that, I do the same thing with the middle section and the wing mount — dry fit first.
After that, I apply glue to all the carbon rods and slide the section all the way in until it touches the rear section, then hold it in place until the glue sets.

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For the front section, I roughly measure it, leaving the carbon rods reaching close to the tip — they can be a little shorter — and then I cut them.

Save the leftover pieces, as they can be used to reinforce the inside of the fuselage


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Don’t forget to apply glue along the joint where the plastic parts meet as well.

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Then I assemble everything and start gluing the side carbon rods first.

For the larger carbon rod that goes on top, I like to place a piece of tape over it, add plenty of glue, and use Insta-Set so it cures instantly.

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I hold it by pulling it slightly outward so it becomes a bit curved, and then I apply glue at the tip of the nose.

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In the end, it should look something like this. I know some people might say this isn’t necessary, but I think it adds a bit of reinforcement. So if you don’t want to do the step of curving the fiber, feel free to just cut it at the top instead.
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Post #3

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Here you can see that I glued the leftover pieces of carbon fiber inside the corner there.

Assuming you have already done the hinge work with E6000 as mentioned above,
start with the vertical stabilizer and then move on to the elevator.
You will need to open up the holes so the carbon rods fit properly. Use a drill bit for this, and make sure to do a dry fit first.

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Just like I did with the fuselage, I also added a few drops of glue inside the vertical stabilizer holes before inserting the carbon fiber rod, so the inside is properly bonded and secured.

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Then just apply glue to this section and attach the vertical stabilizer to the fuselage.

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POST #4

I first pre-fit the carbon fiber rods so the outer aileron section can properly align with the inner aileron section.
Then I apply glue to both the carbon rod and the plastic parts. You don’t need to use too much glue — PETG bonds very well after a few seconds of holding pressure, so there’s no need to overdo it.
With a precise motion, slide the parts together so they align perfectly and bond, then hold them in place for about 15 seconds so the glue can set on the carbon fiber.

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For me, this is the most complicated part, as it requires a bit more attention during assembly, especially with the flap servos.

First, I route the servo wire underneath the flap servo, and then I screw the servo into place. You may need to lightly sand the servo mounting area where the screw goes so it doesn’t put pressure and force the center section open.
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Then you can see I only temporarily fitted the servo just to check that everything is properly aligned. After that, you can screw it in place and install the servo arm aligned correctly.
In my case, I leave it centered, and I handle the flap movement through programming in the radio.
Then I do the same as in the previous step: make sure everything is aligned and do a dry fit first to confirm the carbon fiber rods are not too long.
After that, I apply glue to the carbon rod and slide the center section into place.
While doing this, I keep pulling the servo wire that runs underneath the flap servo so the joint doesn’t pinch the cable, haha.

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Then just repeat the same process on the other side. I know it might look complicated, but honestly it isn’t — you can build this airplane in under 2 hours.


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ELEVATOR PART

The elevator section is the simplest part, as always. I recommend doing a dry fit of all the parts to make sure everything fits properly.

If any of the carbon fiber rods are a bit too long, you’ll need to sand them down so everything fits perfectly.
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After that, you can glue the carbon fiber rods in place and attach the elevator to the fuselage.

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Then just finish by gluing the other side.

From here on, it’s simple — just glue the wingtips and set up the linkages.

I think I’ll wrap up my build log here, and I can add more details later if needed.


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While waiting for Rafael to get this going. It is suggested you drill out the control horns on the flight surfaces to match whatever linkage you plan to use. I'm told the supplied clevis pin is 1.4mm. It is much easier to drill these at the start.

Konrad has been looking to fit some sort of ballast compartment in the fuselage. This is perfectly fine to do. I have not felt a need to add ballast to this model and I have flown her in light to heavy lift. If you are hardcore about the racing, then this does add more tuning capability if the conditions will support it.

These are your planes, feel free to mod as you see fit, but keep the aerodynamics the same.
 
I suggest adding some carbon fiber at the top of the fuselage (bottom of the servo tray) as well. If there's any more 2mm round pieces, that will probably do. I use 4x1mm on the sides and 6x1mm on the bottom of the tray. It, ideally, should extend into the area where the lead shot can seen to be glued in. How do I know? In a rough landing, the servo tray cracked exactly where the carbon fiber ended! The model in the picture is 3 years old and still flying--though it's looking a little rough around the edges after all its flights.

Please also note the insertion of the servo tray into the fuselage. The slots in the servo tray serve as alignment guides which (should) slide neatly into the guides which contain the 1.5mm and 2mm round carbon fiber rods in the rear fuselage. These slots should not be visible once the servo tray has been inserted. This is how the design is intended to work.

However, due to other changes made to adapt to the assembly method in this thread, builders must follow Rafael's assembly instructions.


Ollie
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Maidened mine this weekend. Love how well this flies! This is gonna be a fun fast plane to race!
Here is a video of a launch and couple of laps at Tick today.
I maidened it in 25-30 winds on Saturday, no problems with flying in that kinda wind without ballast, but knew it would be better with about 2-3 ozs ballast.😎

 
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Konrad added a small ballast box that fits in under the wing. It holds 42 grams. Not a lot.

They are little rippers, huh?
 
I was thinking to use the honeycomb cavities in the wing? Small hole, fill with lead shot, tape hole! Maybe 4 to 6 cavities along the CG line. I have checked my GG and it is at 57mm, fyi.
Yeah, point the nose down and she is rippin!
 
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