GP F1 Rocket Evo RC airplane build

Hi everyone Finally I have the pics done so I can post the build. The build is complete all that is needed is balancing, so i should be able to post up the pics pretty quick anyway here we go!


First of all, Here is a small peak inside the box, this is a very nice ARF btw was very impressed with how everything went together.


First thing to do is to get things all together, while it's not really necessary to do this, it is good to do because it helps the assembly go quicker the servo's however are a requirement to begin assembly. You will need five (four if you build it electric powered) standard size servo's four high torque and one regular for throttle. I had an NOS Futaba S148 that I used on the throttle.


Next step is to open up your Data packet (instruction booklet ect) and lay them out and see what you have this is important because this is where any updates or bulletins addendum's are usually located make spechle note of any updates or error corrections. This is also a good time to open up the instruction manual and study it cover to cover this will make assembly so much easier and you will have an understanding on how everything goes. One thing to note though is to pay attention to the hardware, the manual is not too clear on the type of hardware that's in the hardware bag, the manual gives the length and such but not much info on the head types of the screws. Also make sure you have some thread locker.


Now we get to start digging things out. when you pull the components out, inspect everything for damage or missing items then sit everything aside except the main parts (ie) Fuselage, wing halves, tail components etc and clear an area out and set everything on the table. The reason for this is with ARF's of ANY type it's not uncommon for the covering to come out of the box wrinkled, this is due to differences in temperature, humidity and such. so what we're gonna do in this step is tighten up and remove the wrinkles in the covering. This takes about an hour but is well worth the effort. To do this you can do it two ways (1) with a heat gun or (2) with a covering iron. If you elect to use a heat gun, keep in mind that while it will look just as good, it will be temporary it may take a while but the wrinkles will reappear in time. this is due to the covering being not stuck down properly at the factory since these models are mass produced so they don't always get the covering adhered and any place it isn't stuck down shows up as a wrinkle. The best way to do this is with number (2) the Covering iron, this will not only tighten up the covering but will properly stick down the covering hence eliminating the wrinkles and will stay tight longer too so I used the iron method
Begin by setting your iron using a iron thermometer. You want it just hot enough to stick down the covering and tighten it with out it forming bubbles or pulling away.

Next slowly move the iron over the entire part you are tightening up, paying attention to how the covering tightens up, if a bubble forms, (They can) use a sewing needle or the tip of a sharp #11 exacto blade poke the bubble and re run your iron over it and it will disappear. do this for the wings, fuselage, control surface anything that has monocote on it.

now once you are done, let it cool and look it over again for any more wrinkles, touching up areas that are missed. That's it!


With everything tightened up now its time to set up your Transmitter (Study your transmitters manual!), bind your receiver if you are using a new 2.4G receiver and center the servo's. This is an important step because you have to select and set up the control arms and get them as close to 90deg as possible, why 90deg? it's because you want to keep things as linear as possible and makes for correct control geometry which is vital for a proper setup. also by setting up the servo arms now also helps you keep your settings in case you accidentally move a servo while assembling the model.
Here's a pic of my radio system centering the servo's


Now with all your servo's centered, it's time to install the little grommets on the servo's along with the crush sleeves (eyelets) (don't omit these little guys) They keep the servo's happy by absorbing vibration. A hard mounted servo is bad news especially with cheap servo's.


A little helpful trick for installing those pesky eyelets in the servo's (make sure the flange of the eyelet goes on the bottom of the servo lug.


Next, now we can get to building! First step is to assemble the aileron servo trays for the wings which calls for the tray itself and two 3/4 x 3/4 x 5/16 hardwood mounting blocks.

Very Important!! Use only epoxy for this step or any step involving the wings! Not only is it a stronger bond but the wings are foam cored sheeted with balsa. If you use CA especially thin CA it can leach through the balsa or in the case of the aileron servo compartments which is open foam, the CA can drip onto the foam and eat it up dramatically weakening the cores!

Using the servo to locate the mounting blocks, glue the blocks to the tray checking that the servo arm is centered in the slot in the tray. Remove the servo and let it cure. once cured, take a 1/16 drill bit in a pin vice and drill through the holes in the edges of the tray which are already drilled just clearing the covering in the holes and also through the tray and into the center of the servo mounting block then thread in a 5/64 washer head screw then remove it and using thin CA (not with it mounted in the wing!) soak it in the holes and let it set up then run the drill bit back through it to clear it out then reinstall the screws Repeat the same process for the other wing.
Now lay the servo back in the mount making sure it's in the right way and using the servo as a guide, drill four 1/16 holes for the servo mounting screws then using the mounting screws that came with the servo's, thread them in and back them out. Remove the servo and soak in some thin CA and once set, run the drill through it and reinstall the screws.










Ok that's about all for the night having a hard time holding my eyes open lol see ya next time.
(The banding flops over on the bed ZzZzZzZz)