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INTRODUCTION

Congratulations  on  your  purchase  of  the  SIG T-CLIPS  70  EG
ARF.   We hope you will enjoy this unique fun scale R/C model.

Assembly of your T-CLIPS 70 is fast and simple when following
the detailed instructions in this manual.  We urge you to read this
assembly manual completely before assembly.  Familiarize your-
self with the parts and the assembly sequences.  The successful
assembly and flying of this airplane is your responsibility.  If you
deviate from these instructions, you may wind-up with problems
later on.  

Good luck with the T-CLIPS.  Let’s get started!

ADDITIONAL ITEMS YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE

In addition to this kit, you will need the following items to complete
your T-CLIPS and make it flyable.

❑ 

RADIO SYSTEM

The T-Clips 70 requires a standard 4-channel radio system and
either four or five standard size servos (four servos is using elec-
tric power, or 5 servos if using glow engine power).  "Standard"
size servos typically have 40-60 oz. of torque.  In addition, you'll
need two 6"- 12” long Servo Extension Cords and one Y-Harness
Chord for connection of the two aileron servos to the receiver.
(The length of extension cord you will need depends on how long
the wires are coming off your servos.  With Hitec® standard ser-
vos we used 6 in. long extension cords.  Check your servos and
plan accordingly.)

❑ 

POWER SYSTEM - GLOW OR ELECTRIC?

The biggest decision you will have to make is whether to power
your T-CLIPS with a glow engine (2-stroke or 4-stroke) or an elec-
tric motor.  We have flown the T-CLIPS 70 with a variety of both
types of power systems, and we make the following recommen-
dations based on our successful on-field experience.

GLOW POWER RECOMMENDATIONS

ENGINE

We recommend the following size engines for the T-CLIPS 70.

                

2-STROKE - .53 to .61 cu. in.

                

4-STROKE - .53 to .65 cu. in.

Whatever  brand  engine  you  choose,  take  the  time  to  carefully
break it in according to the manufacturer's instructions. A good
running, reliable engine is a minimum requirement for the enjoy-
ment of this or any R/C model aircraft.

PROPELLER FOR GLOW

Refer to the engine manufacturer’s instructions for recommenda-
tions on proper propeller size for their engine. In our experience,
most .60 size 2-stroke glow engines will fly the T-CLIPS 70 very
nicely with a 12x8 or 13-6 prop.

ELECTRIC POWER RECOMMENDATIONS

❑ 

1200 - 1700 watt BRUSHLESS OUTRUNNER MOTOR

The T-CLIPS 70 is designed to be powered with a 1200 to 1700
watt electric brushless outrunner motor.  This size motor is some-
times referred to as a "60" class motor to those who like to make
a comparison to a glow motor.  Also, the motor you choose should
be rated at 300-400 kv, in order to turn an appropriate propeller.

Here is are some motor sizes that work well in the T-CLIPS 70:

                                     

5030-390

                            5062-400
                            5065-400

❑ 

MOTOR MOUNT

A laser-cut plywood adjustable motor mount is included in this kit.
It should work perfectly for any suitable brushless outrunner motor
which has an “X” or “cross” motor mount plate on the back.

❑ 

60-75 amp ESC (Electronic Speed Control)

We used the Castle Creations® 75 amp ESC in our T-CLIPS pro-
totypes.  This is an excellent "switching type" ESC that has a built-
in BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit).

Note: BEC allows you to use the same battery pack to power both

2

What do those numbers mean?

NOTE: This numbering system is very common, however there
are exceptions.  For instance, some motor manufacturers will
list the actual diameter of the stator (armature) inside the motor
instead of the case diameter.  Some may list the length of the
stator inside the motor instead of the case length.  Some will
give you both if you dig far enough into their specs.  Make sure
you understand the motor manufacturer’s numbering system
when shopping for a motor.

Summary of Contents for T-Clips 70

Page 1: ... oz sq ft 57 64 g dm2 Radio Required 4 Channel with 5 Standard Servos glow 4 Channel with 4 Standard Servos electric Glow Power 2 Stroke 53 61 cu in 8 6 10 0 cc 4 Stroke 53 65 cu in 8 5 10 7 cc Electric Power 1200 1700 watt Brushless Motor 300 400 kv 75A Speed Control ESC 4S 6S 4000 5000 mah Lipo Battery Pack SIG MFG CO INC PO Box 520 Montezuma IA 50171 0520 www sigmfg com ...

Page 2: ...OKE 53 to 61 cu in 4 STROKE 53 to 65 cu in Whatever brand engine you choose take the time to carefully break it in according to the manufacturer s instructions A good running reliable engine is a minimum requirement for the enjoy ment of this or any R C model aircraft PROPELLER FOR GLOW Refer to the engine manufacturer s instructions for recommenda tions on proper propeller size for their engine I...

Page 3: ...ge cycle This translates to better flight times and a longer life from the battery pack REQUIRED TOOLS For proper assembly we suggest you have the following tools and materials available A selection of glues SIG Thin Medium Thick CA Glue CA Accelerator CA Debonder SIG Kwik Set 5 Minute Epoxy Screwdriver Assortment Pliers Needle Nose Flat Nose Diagonal Wire Cutters Small Allen Wrench Assortment Pin...

Page 4: ...r Set your iron to a medium setting Glide the iron over some of the covering that is over solid wood such as the sheeted wing center section Observe the covering to see if any bubbles appear If bubbles appear the covering is getting too hot Turn down the temperature of the iron and repeat the test If no bubbles appear turn up the heat slightly and repeat the test Keep adjusting until you zero in o...

Page 5: ... get it to fall through the openings in the ribs until it emerges at the end rib Once you ve got the plug to the end rib direct it through the round hole in the bottom surface of the wing panel By that time the servo itself should be next to the servo mount cutout and ready for mounting f Fit the servo into the servo mount in the wing panel note that the servo is positioned so that the servo arm i...

Page 6: ...uel Tubing onto the small end of the Metal R C Clevis Screw the Hex Nut on the Aileron Pushrod Wire all the way up to the end of the threads Then screw the metal clevis halfway onto the threaded end of the Aileron Pushrod Wire b Clip the metal clevis into the last hole in the nylon control horn Lay the other end of the pushrod wire over the outer hole in the servo arm Use a felt tip pen to mark th...

Page 7: ...th an 11 64 or 17 drill bit 8 Slide a second Wheel Collar onto the axle and up to the wheel Leave a small gap between it and the wheel so the wheel will turn freely and then tighten the wheel collar set screw 9 Check the orientation of the landing gear to make sure you know which way is forward The two outer holes for mounting the gear to the fuselage go to the front Test fit the wheel pants over ...

Page 8: ...fuselage and stabilizer Check to see that the fin sits flush and perpendicular to the stabilizer 16 Glue the fin in place using slow drying epoxy glue Apply a thin coat of glue to the bottom of the fin and to the exposed wood on the stab With the fin in place sight the model from the front to make sure the fin is absolutely 90 degrees upright to the stab If needed use a little masking tape to hold...

Page 9: ...o the exit hole and inside the pushrod sleeve built into the fuselage Slide it in until you can clip the clevis into the middle hole of the control horn Lock the elevator in neutral position with tape or with two small balsa wood sticks held together with small rubber bands c Inside the fuselage hold the pushrod wire over the elevator servo output arm and mark the wire where it crosses over the ou...

Page 10: ...front of the firewall from the back edge of the plywood motor mount box With the motor we are using in these photos the motor measurement is 3 21 So 5 25 minus 3 21 2 04 Your result may be different depending on your motor b Carefully measure and mark the distance determined in the previous step from the back edge of the motor mount box towards the front Do this along side each of the adjustment s...

Page 11: ...he top and sides together securely b Take one of the supplied Velcro straps and pull the short fuzzy portion loose from the longer hook strap Glue one end of the short fuzzy strap on to one of the box sides as shown in the following photo Glue the plain side to the wood not the fuzzy side Epoxy glue works best for this step c Cut the hook strap in half and then glue one end of it to the other box ...

Page 12: ...f the cowling so that more cool air can come in This positive air flow keeps your motor running cool We rec ommend that you make a simple opening at the bottom rear edge of the cowling as shown in the next photo to provide additional air exit area The exact dimensions are not critical Note A Dremel Tool or similar rotary hand tool with an assort ment of bits is without a doubt the best tool to use...

Page 13: ...learance hole would be a 5 32 dia drill bit 41 Next assemble the Fuel Tank a Locate the Rubber Stopper Assembly There are three nylon tubes going through the rubber stopper Orient the stopper so that one of the tubes is towards the top and then bend that tube up at a 45 degree angle Do not apply heat to the tube it will bend without heat Just overbend it to nearly 90 degrees and then let it relax ...

Page 14: ... it much easier to tighten the hex nuts When fin ished install the throttle servo arm back onto the servo 45 Install the throttle pushrod a Start by test fitting the throttle pushrod wire in the airplane sliding the plain end of the wire in from the front Steer the pushrod through the hole you drilled in the firewall then through the hole in the rear tank mount and then back to the pushrod con nec...

Page 15: ...6 type glue Do not use thin CA glue because it can cloud the plastic Apply a thin bead of glue around the edge of the window and press the window in place from the inside of the fuselage Don t use too much glue or it may ooze out onto the outside surface of the window Use a few small pieces of low tack tape to hold the window in place until the glue dries CONGRATULATIONS Your T CLIPS 70 is complet...

Page 16: ...ructions to ground test the finished model before each flight to make sure it is com pletely airworthy and to always fly your model in a safe location and in a safe manner The first test flights should only be made by an experienced R C flyer familiar with high performance R C aircraft JOIN THE AMA The governing body for radio control model airplanes in the United States is the ACADEMY OF MODEL AE...

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