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INTRODUCTION ................................................................2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..................................................2

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ........................................3

Radio Equipment................................................................3

Chargers.............................................................................3

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED .....................................4

Adhesives and Building Supplies .......................................4

Optional Supplies and Tools...............................................4

IMPORTANT ASSEMBLY NOTES ....................................4

KIT CONTENTS.................................................................5

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS...............................6

METRIC CONVERSIONS ..................................................6

PREPARATIONS................................................................7

BUILD THE WING ..............................................................7

Assemble the Wing ............................................................7

Mount the Motors ...............................................................8

Install the Motor Cowls.......................................................9

Install the Landing Gear .....................................................9

Install the Aileron Servos .................................................10

Fit the Wing to the Fuselage ............................................10

WORKING WITH FIBERGLASS .....................................11

ASSEMBLE THE  FUSELAGE .........................................11

Install the Formers ...........................................................11

Install the Servos..............................................................12

Install the Tail Surfaces ....................................................12

Install the Radio ...............................................................14

Apply the Decals ..............................................................15

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY..................................16

Check the Control Directions ...........................................16

Set the Control Throws.....................................................16

Balance the Model (C.G.).................................................17

Balance the Model Laterally.............................................17

PREFLIGHT .....................................................................17

Identify Your Model ...........................................................17

Charge the Batteries ........................................................17

Ground Check ..................................................................18

Range Check ...................................................................18

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .................................18

AMA SAFETY CODE ......................................................18

General ............................................................................18

Radio Control ...................................................................18

CHECK LIST ...................................................................19

FLYING ............................................................................19

Takeoff .............................................................................19

Flight..................................................................Back Cover

Landing..............................................................Back Cover

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes DC-3 EP ARF
. The DC-3 EP ARF is a great flying, low-
wing model that is about as simple-to-assemble as they get. In
just a few evenings you can have your DC-3 ready to fly.

The DC-3 EP ARF is a sport scale model of the full size DC-3.
It is relatively easy to fly and has no bad characteristics.
However, if you have never flown an R/C model before, learning
to fly the DC-3 EP ARF all by yourself is not recommended. As
with any airplane, you should find an experienced modeler to
help you with your first flights. Information about R/C clubs and
instructors is provided later in this manual.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
DC-3 EP ARF visit the Great Planes web site at
www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select
the DC-3 EP ARF. If there is new technical information or
changes to this model a “tech notice” box will appear in the
upper left corner of the page.

Attention: The product you have purchased is

powered by a rechargeable battery. At the end of its useful life,
under various state and local laws, it may be illegal to dispose
of this battery into the municipal waste system. Check with
your local solid waste officials for details in your area for
recycling options or proper disposal.This product contains a
chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

1. Your Great Planes DC-3 EP ARF should not be
considered a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working model
that functions very much like a full-size airplane. Because of
its performance capabilities, the Great Planes DC-3 EP
ARF, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly
cause injury to you or spectators and damage to property.

2. You must assemble the model according to the
instructions
. Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so
may result in an unsafe or unflyable model. In a few cases
the instructions may differ slightly from the photos. In those
instances the written instructions should be considered 
as correct.

3. You must take time to assemble straighttrue and strong.

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in first-class
condition. This model requires mini or micro servos and a
micro receiver.

PROTECT YOUR  MODEL, YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Summary of Contents for Douglas DC-3

Page 1: ...sed to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to Hobby Services at the address below Hobby Services 3...

Page 2: ...ts Information about R C clubs and instructors is provided later in this manual For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the DC 3 EP ARF visit the Great Planes web site at www greatpl...

Page 3: ...w modelaircraft org This is a partial list of items required to finish the DC 3 EP ARF that may require planning or decision making before starting to build Order numbers in parentheses are provided f...

Page 4: ...pplicator tips GPMR6033 Curved tip canopy scissors for trimming plastic HCAR0667 When you see the term test fit in the instructions it means that you should first position the part on the assembly wit...

Page 5: ...h 15 1 8 3 2mm Ply Servo Tray 16 51 5mm Main Wheels 2 17 1 8 3 2mm Ply Mid Former Servo Tray 18 1 8 3 2mm Ply Aft Former Servo Tray 19 1 8 3 2mm Ply Wing Joiners 4 20 Fiberglass Nose Hatch Strips 4 21...

Page 6: ...s If you need assistance locating a dealer to purchase parts visit www greatplanes com and click on Where to Buy If this kit is missing parts contact Product Support Replacement Parts List Order Numbe...

Page 7: ...e wing wire outlets 2 gear openings 2 wing bolt holes 2 servo openings 2 on left and right panels not pictured 4 There are two strings inside the wing center section that have the ends taped to each r...

Page 8: ...with the center section Be careful not to get any epoxy on the strings 9 Wipe away excess epoxy that squeezes out from between the joint with paper towels saturated with alcohol Use masking tape on t...

Page 9: ...s a good quality carpet tape 2 Assemble the propeller shaft extension propeller and the propeller adapter as shown in the above photo Place the rubber propeller adapter into the propeller and press it...

Page 10: ...the screws then screw them into place Remove the screws and harden the holes with a few drops of thin CA After the CA hardens reinstall the servo and screws 4 Mount the nylon control horn on the aile...

Page 11: ...attery tray does not cause the fuselage sides to flex outwards as it is inserted into place Sand the sides of the tray if necessary If the sides flex outwards the battery hatch will not fit properly I...

Page 12: ...lue them into place Also glue the outer tubes at the exit points at the rear of the fuselage 4 Assemble the elevator and rudder servos as shown in the above photo using the grommets brass eyelets and...

Page 13: ...ends are the same distance Mark the stab at the leading and trailing edges with a fine tip marking pen Remove the stab from the fuselage Do not glue the stab into place yet 4 The two elevator halves...

Page 14: ...glue on the stab or on the fuselage When you have the elevators in place with no gaps between the stab and elevators place six drops of thin CA on both sides of each hinge and let it cure Do not use a...

Page 15: ...elage using two 2 5mm x 9 5mm flanged Phillips head screws as shown in the photo above Drill 1 16 1 6mm pilot holes for the screws Harden the holes with thin CA 7 Mount the 25mm tail wheel with a 2mm...

Page 16: ...mained centered Adjust if necessary Use a Great Planes AccuThrow or a ruler to accurately measure and set the control throw of each control surface as indicated in the chart that follows If your radio...

Page 17: ...u lift the model by the engine propeller shaft and the bottom of the fuse under the TE of the fin Do this several times 2 If one wing always drops when you lift the model it means that side is heavy B...

Page 18: ...hot Do not touch them during or right after operation The electric motors and battery used in your DC 3 EP ARF are very powerful and the spinning propellers have a lot of momentum therefore if you to...

Page 19: ...ROG takeoffs are only possible from a smooth surface If you are flying from a grass field the DC 3 EP can be safely and easily hand launched Do not attempt to do so by yourself Have an assistant laun...

Page 20: ...el stalls This model does not slow rapidly on final approach so a low dragged in approach may be needed Always land into the wind Due to the small wheel size the model may start to nose over Gradually...

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