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Fei Bao F-9F Panther Assembly Manual

Summary of F-9F Panther

  • Page 1

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 1 1 1 1 fei bao jets f-9f panther assembly manual written by curtis mattikow in collaboration with r/c jet models.

  • Page 2

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 2 2 2 2 disclaimer: t his is not a toy . This is a high-performance miniature aircraft, capable of high speeds and damage to life, limb, and property. The manufacturer and its distributors cannot control how you assemble this model, what equipment you use to fit it ...

  • Page 3

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 3 3 3 3 stainless steel double-walled tailpipe two wooden formers for tailpipe two wooden engines mount spacers for jetcat engines one whip antenna three coils of airline one coil of fuel line one brake valve one retract valve one bag of air y-connectors one bag of ...

  • Page 4

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 4 4 4 4 a. Introduction: you have chosen a model that represents the pinnacle of arf technology. While there is not a lot of building to do, there is enough to keep you busy for a few evenings. Even if you have assembled maybe other arf jets, we highly recommend fol...

  • Page 5

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 5 5 5 5 c. Working with pneumatic systems: the f-9f uses pneumatic brakes and retracts. If you follow a few tips, you should have very reliable, leak-free operation. Neatness counts. All airlines should be secured to the airframe to keep them from flopping around or...

  • Page 6

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 6 6 6 6 1. Remove the servo cover from the rudder servo bay. Keep the orientation of the servo cover correct, do not flip or rotate the servo covers, as there may be slight variations in the screw holes and they may not fit perfectly if you rotate the covers. Figure...

  • Page 7

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 7 7 7 7 4. Make up some scrap hardwood or plywood blocks the same size as the servo mounts. Figure 4 5. Epoxy the scrap blocks on the inside of the mounts to provide extra strength. Figure 5 6. Attach a 36" heavy-duty 22 gauge extension to the servo. Tape the connec...

  • Page 8

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 8 8 8 8 7. Dril pilot holes in the wooden mounts figure 7 8. Screw the servo with the kit provided screws. Do not over tighten and strip the screw holes. Figure 8 9. Fit the servo cover up against the model and mark the location for the servo horn. Figure 9.

  • Page 9

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 9 9 9 9 10. Drill a hole at each end of the slot. Be sure to put a piece of scrap plywood on the back side before you drill, it will give you a clean hole without marking up the finish that way. Figure 10 11. Draw two lines between the holes with a straightedge and ...

  • Page 10

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 10 10 10 10 13. Fit the ruder pushrod to the servo horn figure 13 14. Using the rod for reference, mark the location of the rudder control horn. Figure 14 15. Cut the slot for the control horn. Figure 15.

  • Page 11

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 11 11 11 11 16. Prepare the control horn by drilling out the top hole to accomodate the bolt for the link and roughen the lower portion of the horn for better glue adhesion. Figure 16 17. Box in the control horn with masking tape as shown. Figure 17 18. Hysol the ho...

  • Page 12

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 12 12 12 12 19. Pull the tape away, leaving a nice clean edge. Figure 19 20. Painting the horns to match the airframe greatly enhances the appearance. When dry, hook up the link to the horn as shown. Loctite the nut. Figure 20 21. Remove one of the servo covers from...

  • Page 13

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 13 13 13 13 22. Prepare an elevator servo with the provided mounts and a horn. Figure 22 23. Test fit the servo in place and drill pilot holes. Run the servo lead out through the hole shown. Figure 23 24. Screw the servo mounts into place. Figure 24.

  • Page 14

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 14 14 14 14 25. Cut a notch for the servo horn and screw the servo cover into place. Figure 25 26. Find the titanium pushrods and prepare for linkage. Figure 26 27. Fit the linkage to the servo horn. Follow all the same procedures for the other elevator servo. Figur...

  • Page 15

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 15 15 15 15 28. Use the rods to mark the position for the control horns, and cut the slots for the horns. Figure 28 29. Hysol the horns into place. Do both at the same time to establish symmetry. Figure 29 30. Carefully check alignment while drying. The horns need t...

  • Page 16

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 16 16 16 16 31. Paint the horns, if you like, and add the linkages to the horns as shown. Figure 31 32. Add two 36 inch extensions to the elevator servos and secure the connections with tape. Figure 32 33. Fit the upper fin into place on top of the stab assembly and...

  • Page 17

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 17 17 17 17 34. Fit the elevator and fin assembly to the rear fuselage. Figure 34 35. Mark the outline of the fuse on the bottom of the stab with a pencil. Figure 35 36. Roughen and remove the paint from the bottom of the stab where it meets the fuse. Figure 36.

  • Page 18

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 18 18 18 18 37. Do the same on the upper surface of the stab. Glue will not stick to paint at all, so do a good job here. Figure 37 38. Do the same with the top-mating surface of the fuse and the bottom of the upper fin. Figure 38 39. Apply a nice even layer of hyso...

  • Page 19

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 19 19 19 19 40. Apply a nice even layer of hysol to the top of the fuse. Thread the elevator servo wires in and through the holes in the bulkheads. Figure 40 41. Push the stab and rudder assembly into place and tighten up the two bolts in the side of the fuse. Figur...

  • Page 20

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 20 20 20 20 43. Remove the screws holding the main retracts in place and gently rotate the retracts out, without breaking the linkage to the gear doors. Figure 43 44. Add up and down airlines to the retracts. These should be about 18 inches long, and color-code them...

  • Page 21

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 21 21 21 21 46. Use hemostats to add the brake lines. They should also be about 18 inches long. Secure the brake lines to the struts with tie wraps. Figure 46 47. Route the three air lines through the hole in the former as shown. Figure 47 48. Run the matching lines...

  • Page 22

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 22 22 22 22 49. Add another length of tubing about 18 inches long to the y connector and run it forward through the former and out of the way. Figure 49 50. Repeat this procedure for the other two pairs of airlines. Figure 50 51. Add a length of airline about 14 inc...

  • Page 23

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 23 23 23 23 52. Link the two lines together with a y connector and add a length of tubing about 24 inches long. Route through the former as shown. Figure 52 53. Secure the flap airlines to the bottom of the fuse as shown. Metal tape or plastic airline clips work wel...

  • Page 24

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 24 24 24 24 55. Add a length of airline 24 inches long and y the two cylinders together. Run the line forward as shown. Figure 55 56. Link the bottom two nipples on the cylinders together the same way. Figure 56 57. Connect the speed brake airlines. Figure 57.

  • Page 25

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 25 25 25 25 58. Do the same with the other nipples for the speed brake cylinders. The lengths of these lines are about 3 inches long, with the line out about one foot long. Figure 58 59. Flip the plane over and remove the nose gear assembly. Figure 59 60. Remove the...

  • Page 26

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 26 26 26 26 61. Add 14 inches of tubing to each air tank, and silicone glue them into place as shown. Figure 61 62. Route the lines from the air tanks backwards to the speed brake compartment and link together with a y connector as shown. Figure 62 63. Add up and do...

  • Page 27

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 27 27 27 27 64. Divide the provided steering cable in two and crimp it to the inner holes on the steering arm. Figure 64 65. Reinstall the nose gear with four screws. Feed the steering lines through the white plastic tubes. Figure 65 66. Route the airlines as shown....

  • Page 28

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 28 28 28 28 67. You will need to make up a tray for the nose gear steering servo. Here is a top and side view of what is needed. Figure 67 68. Add balsa blocks to the front to increase the gluing surface. Figure 68 69. Add balsa blocks to the bottom for additional s...

  • Page 29

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 29 29 29 29 70. Add a servo to the tray. Figure 70 71. Glue the servo mount as shown. Figure 71 72. Link the steering cables to the servo. They should be taut, but not too tight, or they will keep the nose gear from locking down. Figure 72.

  • Page 30

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 30 30 30 30 73. Bundle all the airlines figure 72 74. Bundle all the airlines leading forward together figure 74 75. Remove the fuel bung. Blow out any debris inside the tank. Observe which line is for fuel, and which is the vent. Mark them. Fit the fuel tank into p...

  • Page 31

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 31 31 31 31 76. The y connectors and excess tubing all get stored in the space behind the tank. The lines leading forward must go around the tank to one side. Figure 76 77. Check each lines with your air pump to make sure it is not pinched or kinked, then secure the...

  • Page 32

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 32 32 32 32 79. Cut off any excess line and y together the front and rear retract and gear door lines. Add a length of tubing about 10 inches long to each y connector. Figure 79 80. Paint the forward tray if you like and epoxy it back into place in the nose above th...

  • Page 33

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 33 33 33 33 82. Apply the tape to the leading edge. Trim it very carefully, leaving a slight overlap around the leading edge top. Figure 82 83. The tape should overlap the top by perhaps one eighth of an inch. Figure 83 84. Burnish the edge down as flat as possible....

  • Page 34

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 34 34 34 34 85. Now cover the top of the leading edge the same way. Figure 85 86. Again, you want just a small overlap over the bottom covering. Figure 86 87. Standard width tape may be too narrow to cover the root area. Finish out the missing portion at the root wi...

  • Page 35

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 35 35 35 35 88. Burnish the metal tape with a soft cloth to restore the rivets and other surface detail. Figure 88 89. Add these strips the same way to the rudder and stabs. Figure 89 90. Do the wing roots and intakes. You will need some small pieces to do around th...

  • Page 36

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 36 36 36 36 91. Prepare the aileron servos with aluminum mounts as you did the tail servos. Add 18-inch extensions and tape for security. Figure 91 92. Tape a wheel collar to a piece of string. Tie the string to the aileron servo extension. Figure 92 93. Drop the wh...

  • Page 37

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 37 37 37 37 94. You may need to shorten the aileron linkages slightly to get the correct throws. Figure 94 95. Remove the clevises from both ends, but leave the locknuts on. Clip off the excess as shown on the bottom link. Figure 95 96. Now bevel off the rough edge ...

  • Page 38

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 38 38 38 38 97. Now mount the aileron linkage. Figure 97 98. Install a hardwood beam in the upper rear fuselage, which is shown here upside down. Figure 98 99. Attach the tail servo leads to this beam to keep them from falling on the hot tailpipe. Figure 99.

  • Page 39

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 39 39 39 39 100. Slide the rear-centering ring over the tailpipe. Figure 100 101. Insert the tailpipe into the fuse from the front and check for fit and centering. Figure 101 102. You can also use scraps of wood to establish centering for the ring. Figure 102.

  • Page 40

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 40 40 40 40 103. When satisfied, glue and screw the centering ring into place. Figure 103 104. Put the former up against the rear fuselage and mark off the areas as shown. Figure 104 105. Remove the excess wood from the ears of the former. Figure 105.

  • Page 41

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 41 41 41 41 106. Slip the pipe through the former and slide the pipe and former into place. Do not glue the former yet. Figure 106 107. Install the six bolts and washers into the forward fuse section. Figure 107 108. Bolt the rear fuselage section into place. You ma...

  • Page 42

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 42 42 42 42 109. Drill or notch the former to accommodate the radio leads from the tail and secure the leads to the side of the fuselage. Figure 109 110. Install two hardwood rails as shown, about an inch down from the top of the fuse. Make sure the rails are level ...

  • Page 43

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 43 43 43 43 112. Make up an eighth inch thick plywood rear radio tray. Paint it if you like. Figure 112 113. Install the rear radio tray and secure with two screws to the front rail. Figure 113 114. Install two extensions into each wing root. Leave an inch or two of...

  • Page 44

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 44 44 44 44 115. Run all the leads from the wings and tail to the rear radio tray and tape them to the tray for now. Figure 115 116. Install two miniservos as shown for the air valves. Use reinforcements on the bottom of the tray for the mounting screws. Figure 116 ...

  • Page 45

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 45 45 45 45 118. Make up a small hardwood block to mount the air valves to the tray. Figure 118 119. Screw the air valves to the block, then glue and screw the block to the forward radio tray. Figure 119 120. Complete the linkages with ball links at the servo end. F...

  • Page 46

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 46 46 46 46 121. Add the third valve in the same fashion. Figure 121 122. Install your up3 valve using two bolt. Figure 122 123. Install a servo for the up3. Figure 123.

  • Page 47

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 47 47 47 47 124. Link the valve to the servo. Figure 124 125. Test fit your turbine on the mounts. Figure 125 126. Cut the intake as shown. Figure 126.

  • Page 48

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 48 48 48 48 127. Cut a hole in the intakes to accommodate your starter motor. Be sure to not cut into the fuel tank. Figure 127 128. You will need to use the supplied spacers for anything but the largest engines. Test fit them and your engine, and adjust the width i...

  • Page 49

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 49 49 49 49 130. When satisfied with the fit, epoxy the spacers firmly to the mounts and formers. Use clamps while drying for a good strong bond. Figure 130 131. Screw the turbine to the mounts. You want it to be as far forward as possible for balance purposes. Figu...

  • Page 50

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 50 50 50 50 133. When dry, push the tailpipe back into place, bend the metal straps as shown, trim if required, and screw the straps to the former. Figure 133 134. Install your uat to the tray as shown using tie wraps. Figure 134 135. Mount the fuel pump as shown. F...

  • Page 51

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 51 51 51 51 136. Connect the fuel pump to the uat. Figure 136 137. Install the fuel and gas solenoids next to the fuel pump. Figure 137 138. Connect the fuel pump to the fuel solenoid. Figure 138.

  • Page 52

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 52 52 52 52 139. Cut a hole and install the propane tank. Check that it does not hit the bottom of the fuselage when the tray is installed. Figure 139 140. Connect the propane tank to the solenoid, and add all the other propane fittings. Figure 140 141. Connect your...

  • Page 53

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 53 53 53 53 142. Add a fill line and plug to the appropriate port on the uat. Figure 142 143. Connect the two air in nipples on the two valves as shown using tubing and a y connector. Figure 143 144. Connect the third valve with more tubing and another y connector. ...

  • Page 54

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 54 54 54 54 145. Connect the up3 valve and the other valves with tubing and another y- connector. Figure 145 146. Add a short section of line to the y-connector, add another y-connector, then add a loop of tubing about a foot long to the y-connector. Figure 146 147....

  • Page 55

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 55 55 55 55 148. Add extensions to the air and gas solenoids and bundle them together. Figure 148 149. Connect the lines as shown. Figure 149 150. Connect the airlines to the valves. Figure 150

  • Page 56

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 56 56 56 56 151. Connect the line from the pneumatic flaps to the first valve as shown. Figure 151 152. Connect the line from the brakes to the second valve as shown. Figure 152 153. Connect the lines from the dive brakes to the third valve as shown. Figure 153.

  • Page 57

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 57 57 57 57 154. Connect the gear and gear door lines according to the diagram provided with the up3 valve. Figure 154 155. Connect the uat to the main tank. Figure 155 156. Add a vent line to the tank. Figure 156.

  • Page 58

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 58 58 58 58 157. Mount the ecu to the rear of the radio tray. Test fit the tray to make sure the ecu does not hit the rear of the cockpit opening. Figure 157 158. Install the fuel shutoff valve on the radio tray. Figure 158 159. Install the air filler valve to the t...

  • Page 59

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 59 59 59 59 160. Install your radio switches to the tray. Figure 160 161. Install your receiver, and cut a hole for the radio leads to come up through the bottom of the tray. Figure 161 162. Attach the loose airline left over to the filler valve. Figure 162.

  • Page 60

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 60 60 60 60 163. Attach all the radio leads to the receiver. Figure 163 164. Attach the line from the fuel filter to the shutoff valve and connect the valve to the turbine. Figure 164 165. Attach the solenoids and rx to the ecu. Figure 165.

  • Page 61

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 61 61 61 61 166. Connect the fuel pump, battery, and glow leads to the ecu. Figure 166 167. Install the flap servo into place with four screws. Figure 167 168. Drill a pilot hole through the wing skin to locate the flap servo horn, then cut a slot for the horn to em...

  • Page 62

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 62 62 62 62 169. Install the linkage and control horn for the flap. Figure 169 170. Install the tip tanks using the provided bolts. Figure 170 171. You may flip one flap servo over and shorten the linkage, to reverse one flap, saving a spare channel or a reversed se...

  • Page 63

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 63 63 63 63 172. Flap travel is measured as shown, four inches at full flap. Figure 172 173. Test fit the cockpit tub into the fuselage and trims as required. Figure 173 174. Test fit the cockpit tub into the canopy. Figure 174.

  • Page 64

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 64 64 64 64 175. Apply silicone glue to the dashboard to glue it into the forward fuselage, and tape the cockpit tub into place. Figure 175 176. Put a rag or piece of foam over the rear portion of the cockpit tub to keep it level. Figure 176 177. Put some tape on th...

  • Page 65

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 65 65 65 65 178. Apply silicone to the edges of the cockpit tub. Figure 178 179. Latch the canopy into place and allow to dry. Figure 179 congratulations, you have completed construction on your f-9f panther see the pilots notes for balance and control throws..

  • Page 66

    F e i b a o f - 9 f p a n t h e r 66 66 66 66 pilot notes cg, control throws and recommendations balance and throws: the panther should be balanced right at the front carbon fiber spar, with the lg down and the uat full, but tanks empty. This is 25% of the chord of the plane, 4" back from the leadin...