background image

5. You must check the operation of the model before every
flight to ensure that all equipment is operating and that the
model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check
nylon clevises or other connectors often and replace them if
they show signs of wear or fatigue.

6. If you are not already an experienced R/C pilot you must
fly the model only with the help of a competent, well
experienced R/C pilot.

Remember: Take your time and follow directions to end
up with a well-built model that is straight and true.

Please inspect all parts carefully before starting to
build! If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or if
you have any questions about building or flying this
airplane, please call us at (217) 398-8970 or e-mail us at
productsupport@greatplanes.com. If you are calling for
replacement parts, please reference the part numbers
and the kit identification number (stamped on the end
of the carton) and have them ready when calling.

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes SlowPoke. The SlowPoke is perfectly suited for
small field flying and because of its size is easy to transport.
Great Planes has taken a simplified approach to the
SlowPoke's design by incorporating a CAD designed
airframe with the "stick style" construction of yesteryear.

The SlowPoke was intentionally designed for easy 3-channel
flying, a small displacement engine and a light wing loading.
When finished, the SlowPoke is quite capable of slow,
leisurely flight without the worry. Its styling is reminiscent of
the Golden Age of aviation and very pleasing. 

Items in parentheses (OSMG2691) are suggested part
numbers recognized by distributors and hobby shops and
are listed for your ordering convenience. GPM is the Great
Planes

®

brand, TOP is the Top Flite

®

brand, and HCA is the

Hobbico

®

brand.

4 Channel Radio with 3 Servos

Engine; See Engine Selection

Spare Glow Plugs 

(O.S.

®

#8 for most 2-stroke engines, OSMG2691)

(O.S.

®

Type-F for most 4-stroke engines, OSMG2629)

❏ 

Propeller (Top Flite Power Point

®

)  Refer to your

engine’s instructions for proper size

Top Flite Super MonoKote

®

covering (Approximately 2

rolls); See Covering (page 26)

Fuel-Proof paint; See Fuelproofing (page 26)

12" Medium Fuel Tubing (GPMQ4131, 3’)

1/4" Latex Foam Rubber Padding (HCAQ1000) 

4 oz. Fuel Tank (GPMQ4101)

(2) 3" Lightweight Wheels (DAVQ5030)

(4) 5/32" Wheel Collars (GPMQ4306)

(1) 3/32" Wheel Collar (GPMQ4303)

1-1/2" Spinner (GPMQ4500 – white)

Pilot (WBRQ2475) Scale Sportsman Pilot used in prototype.

(1) 1-1/4" Tail Wheel (GPMQ4242)

These are the building tools, glue, etc. that we recommend
and mention in the manual. 

1 oz. Thin Pro

CA (GPMR6002) 

1 oz. Medium Pro

CA+ (GPMR6008)

1 oz. Thick Pro

CA– (GPMR6014)

Pro CA Accelerator (GPMR6035)

6-Minute Pro

Epoxy (GPMR6045)

30-Minute Pro

Epoxy (GPMR6047)

Pacer Formula 560 Canopy Glue (PAAR3300)

#1 Hobby Knife Handle (HCAR0105)

#11 Blades (HCAR0311, 100 Qty.)

X-Acto

®

Razor Saw (XACR2531)

Hobbico Builder’s Triangle Set (HCAR0480)

Small T-pins (HCAR5100)

Medium T-pins (HCAR5150)

Great Planes Plan Protector

(GPMR6167)

Chalk

Masking Tape

10-32 Tap and Drill set (GPMR8104, drill bit included)

Building Supplies and Tools

Required Accessories

PREPARATIONS

Engine Selection

There are several engines that will work well in the
SlowPoke, but for maximum performance we recommend
an O.S.

®

.15 LA or .20 FP

or if you prefer a 4-stroke, an

O.S. .26 Surpass works well.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

INTRODUCTION

NOTE: We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a
top quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the
quality of your finished model depends on how you build
it; therefore, we cannot in any way guarantee the
performance of your completed model, and no
representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.

3

Summary of Contents for SlowPoke

Page 1: ...mbly no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user assembled product By the act of using the user assembled product the user accepts al...

Page 2: ...her a sophisticated working model that functions very much like an actual airplane Because of its realistic performance the SlowPoke if not assembled and operated correctly could possibly cause injury...

Page 3: ...the Top Flite brand and HCA is the Hobbico brand 4 Channel Radio with 3 Servos Engine See Engine Selection Spare Glow Plugs O S 8 for most 2 stroke engines OSMG2691 O S Type F for most 4 stroke engin...

Page 4: ...epoxy is specified you may use either 30 minute epoxy or 6 minute epoxy When 30 minute epoxy is specified it is highly recommended that you use only 30 minute epoxy because you will need the working t...

Page 5: ...around the parts with a hobby knife After punching out the die cut parts use your bar sander or sanding block to lightly sand the edges to remove any die cutting irregularities or slivers 3 As you id...

Page 6: ...6 DIE CUT PATTERNS...

Page 7: ...d glue the stab bracing in place 7 Remove the pins and sand the top and bottom of the stab smooth Note Be careful not to sand any dips in the stab bracing 8 Sand the leading edge and the tips to a rou...

Page 8: ...glue the fin trailing edge fin base and the fin leading edge Note The fin trailing edge stops at the top of the stab It does not go to the bottom of the fuse 3 From a 3 16 x 3 16 x 24 balsa stick fit...

Page 9: ...of the elevator and rudder to a V as shown on the plan 2 Sand both sides of the elevator assembly smooth 3 Use a bar sander and 150 grit sandpaper to round the tail surfaces as shown on the plan Note...

Page 10: ...om the front so that they will not interfere with the top spar or the shear webs 6 Cut six 1 8 x 3 16 x 24 balsa sticks to 21 3 16 long making the auxiliary spars 7 Postion three auxiliary spars over...

Page 11: ...which extends outboard past ribs W3 Note Be sure to align it with the wing plan not the aft end of the ribs 18 From a 1 16 x 3 x 24 sheet cut a 10 7 16 long LE sheet Position the LE sheet aligning th...

Page 12: ...e top TE sheet previously applied Glue it to the ribs the auxiliary spar and the filler block 25 Select the two 4 7 8 long basswood landing gear rails Glue them into the W2 ribs with epoxy 26 Glue the...

Page 13: ...ough each rail being careful not to drill through the top of the wing 1 Cover the right outer wing panel plan with Plan Protector Pin the die cut 1 16 balsa TE sheeting in position 2 From a 1 16 x 3 x...

Page 14: ...ly DG gauge to set the angle of T1 and glue T1 in place Use a square to be sure T2 is vertical and glue it in place 13 Position the 1 16 die cut balsa T3 rib on the plan aligned with the inboard edge...

Page 15: ...bottom TE sheet Glue it in place 22 From the leftover 1 16 x 3 balsa sheet cut three 4 1 8 long sheets and edge glue them in position as you did with the bottom sheeting Hint Remember to trim the thir...

Page 16: ...uter wing panel to the wing center section When satisfied with the fit glue the outer panel to the center section with epoxy and glue the wing joiners to ribs T1 and T2 Note Do not disturb the wing un...

Page 17: ...he building board 5 From a 3 16 x 3 16 x 30 balsa stick fit and glue the bottom aft fuse stringer and the aft fuse brace in place 6 Glue the die cut 1 8 balsa pushrod exit plate in place 7 From a 1 8...

Page 18: ...a formers F3 and F5 as you go Note The embossed labels on F3 and F5 face the front of the plane and are upside down on the work surface at this time 18 Confirm that the fuse sides are perpendicular to...

Page 19: ...ng over to the other tip and see if it aligns with the same point If it does not shift the wing and mark the new location of the tip by adjusting the position of the tape on the string Do this until t...

Page 20: ...t your engine 5 Position the engine on the mount so there is a 1 16 gap between the rear of the engine and the slot in the mount 6 Mark the engine mount holes with a pencil lead or a T pin Remove the...

Page 21: ...oublers in place to the insides of the front fuse sides 13 Fuelproof the wood on the inside of the front fuse doublers the front of F1 and the bottom of the engine mount Hint Fuel proof paint or epoxy...

Page 22: ...the trailing edge of the stabilizer and mark the center point 9 Lay the stab in position the TE should be flush with the TE of the fuse with the center point lined up with the center of the fuse Care...

Page 23: ...t comes to a point at the TE of the fin Glue to F6 and the fin Repeat this step for the other five turtle deck stringers 5 Using the full size template on the plan make the turtle deck top from a 1 4...

Page 24: ...e fuse top 14 Glue the bottom edge of the sheet to the fuse top Liberally wet the outside of the sheeting by spraying it with an ammonia water mix Gently bend the sheet until you can position it in a...

Page 25: ...e servo arm 5 Solder the threaded coupler to the 24 long throttle cable with silver solder Screw a nylon clevis onto the coupler 6 Mount the engine Slide the throttle cable through the guide tube you...

Page 26: ...e trailing edge of the fuse at the marks you made for the nylon tail gear bearing Without using any glue test fit the rudder to the fin with the tail gear wire When satisfied with the fit remove and s...

Page 27: ...with the elevators and stab Cut the covering from the hinge slots don t just slit the covering but remove a small strip the size of the hinge slot 2 Drill a 3 32 hole 1 2 deep in the center of each hi...

Page 28: ...the next step in balancing your model A model which is not laterally balanced properly may exhibit a variety of unpleasant tendencies such as uncharacteristic tip stalls This aircraft when balanced p...

Page 29: ...rewall Tail weight may be added by using Great Planes GPMQ4485 stick on lead weights 4 Permanently mount your receiver and battery If possible first attempt to balance the model by changing the positi...

Page 30: ...ced pilot when learning to operate engines Use safety glasses when starting or running engines Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or sand the propeller may throw such material in your fa...

Page 31: ...is one thing in mind pull back on the throttle stick to slow the model down This will make everything happen a little slower and allow yourself time to think and react Add and practice one maneuver at...

Page 32: ...TWO VIEW...

Reviews: