Different companys include varying amounts of "included parts" with their ARFs. You will probably need some fuel line. Unless the flight pack includes them, you will also need a receiver battery and switch harness. Generally an ARF will include pushrods and control horns and all the hardware to assemble the plane itself. You may need screws to mount the engine to the engine mount, depending on the design of the mount.
I'm looking to put together an ARF. It'll be my first ARF, third plane (first 2 were RTF trainers). I've googled this group and there are pretty strong recommendations for the Sig Four Star 40 ARF, so thats what I've decided on. Will also get a Futaba flight pack (4 servos, receiver ) and an OS .46 LA. I already have glues, Futaba transmitter, field gear and all the tools I'll need to assemble it. What else do I need to build this thing? Push rods? Control horns?
Thanks for reading!
On 4/25/2004 3:42 PM Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not so great) words of knowledge:
If you have not purchased the engine yet, I would highly recommend you spend the extra money and get an OS 46 FX or AX. There is a NOTICEABLE difference in power.
My suggestion would be to get the 60 size 4* ARF. I think the 60 flies a little better than the 40 and it is easier to see. Of course that would mean adding a larger engine as well.
John VB
========================================== This is from
Engine Muffler: Stock style supplied with engine (Engine mounts in an upright position). Radio: Four channel Servos: Five Standard (2-Aileron, 1-Elevator, 1-Throttle, 1-Rudder) Servo Extensions: Two for aileron servos 12" (305mm). Y-Harness: One 6" (152mm) for aileron servos) Misc. Items: Glow plug, medium fuel tubing, fuel filter, propeller, socket head screws, lock nuts, flat washers, building and field equipment.
You really can't go by Tower's list, especially for non-GP products. There have been many times I've followed the list, and had extra parts that they suggested, and still needed to make multiple trips to the LHS.
--- Rich
It depends on the company. On most Asian ARFs, they include pushrods, but they are very small metric, and furnish nylon hardware. That goes in the trash and gets replaced with standard 2-56 steel hardware (z-bend on the servo end, NEVER use a threaded clevis on both ends), with the exception of throttle where I use a nylon ball-joint so I don't have metal-on-metal.
Fuel line, perhaps a tank (supplied tanks are often too small for more than 8-10 minutes, and often much smaller than the fuselage can handle). Sometimes the engine mount is included, sometimes not.
With the Sig kit, you are probably going to get EZ Hinges. If you don't like them, plan to buy normal pinned hinges.
I don't care for most plastic spinners, so I always plan for a TruTurn.
Wheels may be good quality DuBro, or they may be the cheapest, lightest foam POS's the company could find... Global ARFs are notorious for cheap wheels and rim breakage.
--- Rich
PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.