1. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69"- Various Colors
1.1. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - READ ME FIRST
READ ME FIRST - for Models with POLYCOTE ECS Covering
The Read Me First for models covered with POLYCOTE ECS applies to this product and is available at:
 
 
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1.2. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Additional Information

In general "Additional" Information is:

  • In addition to that found in other documentation related to this product,
  • Often reflects feedback &/or questions from users of the product.

Subject to the Conditions of Use, please review the attachments and related articles listed below.

COPYRIGHT
Copyright Richmond RC Supply Ltd. All rights reserved.
 
1.2.1. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Control Horns - How Many in Parts Bag?

Question: The assembly manual for my Apache refers to five control horn sets. The parts bag contains only 3 sets in total and I think I only need 3 sets. Is this correct?

Answer: Yes only three control horn sets are required for your Apache. One control horn is used for the rudder and two control horns are used for the elevators.

1.2.2. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Engine Clamp Bolts - How to Remove

Question: I want to completely remove the engine clamp bolts from the engine mount in my Apache III. How do I do this?

Answer: This is not difficult but if it is necessary, there are two ways to approach this.

  • Method A: Undo the engine mount bolts that retain the engine mount to the firewall. Try to just loosen them enough so that you can toe the engine mount beam inwards at the nose and then subsequently remove the engine clamp bolts. Then retighten the engine mount bolts to secure the engine mount beam to the firewall.
  • Method B: Notch small cutouts into the lip of the fuselage that wraps into the engine compartment. The cutout notches should be positioned above each engine clamp bolt. Once the cutout notches have been completed you will be able to to undo the engine clamp bolts and remove them without moving the engine mount beams. Use a dremel tool or a small round bastard file to cut out the notches. Seal the exposed wood in the notches with Pacer Finishing Resin or thin ZAP/CA to prevent oil and fuel residue from penetrating into the wood.

 

1.2.3. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Fuel Tank - How to install

Question: How do I install the Fuel Tank into my VMAR Apache III?

Answer: This is not difficult but the instruction book does not cover this directly.

Do the fuel tank setup first. Install the internal tubing and clunk(s). When the stopper has been tightened but not overtightened, install pieces of fuel tubing between or over the ends of the metal pipes to seal them against dirt and debris. Mark the bottom of the tank so that you can clearly see which way the tank is to be positioned in the model.

Remove the fuel compartment hatch from the bottom of the fuselage.

Remove the black sealing gasket from the fuel tank. Apply sealant such as Pacer Dap-A-Goo to the front face of the tank around the neck and re-install the gasket. Apply more sealant to the front face of the gasket.

Insert the tank into the fuel tank compartment with the tubes forward and oriented so that the bottom of the tank is positioned correctly. Press the tank firmly against the back side of the firewall and secure in place while the sealant cures.

From the engine mount area, apply more sealant around the neck of the fuel tank working from the front of the fuselage.

When the sealant has dried, support the tank with sponge foam around the sides and bottom of the tank. You may wish to install your battery pack beneath or behind the tank before inserting the sponge foam.

Reinstall the fuel tank compartment hatch to the bottom of the fuselage.

1.2.4. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Landing Gear Location - Instructions Wrong

Some copies of the the Apache III Instruction Manual may have typo errors as follows:
Page 15 (or 20 depending on your manual) Stage 20 Picture 20.2 The annotation on the bottom of the fuselage showing the location of the landing gear for the tricycle gear configuration may be wrong. If the annotation says "Main gear mounting holes for tail dragger configuration" it is incorrect and should say "Main gear mounting holes for tricyle gear configuration"

1.2.5. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Landing Gear - Steering Arm does not fit
Consumer called and advised his steering arm does not fit into the Apache III nose gear.

The do fit but requires careful alignment and a bit of up pressure and twisting motion of the nose gear to insert into the steering arm bearing in some cases. To make this a bit easier the modeler can either drill out the steering arm bearing a bit, or grind the end of the nose gear wire a bit or sand a bit of plastic off the back of the steering arm bearing holder.
1.2.6. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Rudder Control Horn Hole - Wrong Location

Some versions of the Apache III may have been shipped with the rudder control horn mounting hole drilled too low. The rudder control horn mounting hole is pre-drilled at the factory prior to the rudder being covered. The hole is about .25” (6mm) in diameter and is located just aft of the rudder hinge line towards the bottom of the rudder. The hole can be located by holding the vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly and backlighting it from behind. A limited number of Apache III’s produced in the fall of 2003 and shipped to market in the Nov 2003 through Spring 2004 time frame may have the hole drilled about 1.25”(31mm) too low.

 

Resolution.

 

In Brief: Drill a new hole for the rudder control horn approximately 1.25” (31mm) higher than the hole pre-drilled at the factory.

 

In Detail: Insert the vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly into the mounting slot in the top of the fuselage. Locate the rudder control rod protruding from the top of the aft end of the fuselage. Free the rudder control rod from any lockdown tape installed near the servo tray for shipping purposes. From the aft end of the fuselage, extend the rudder control rod until it reaches the rudder hinge line. The rod should be approximately in line with the rudder control horn hole. If it is not, mark where the control rod crosses the rudder hinge line. Remove the vertical stabilizer from the fuselage. Drill a new rudder control horn hole to align with the control rod. Drill the hole to be the same diameter as that of the incorrectly placed hole done by the factory. Install the rudder control horn assembly in the new hole per the instruction procedures in the manual.

1.2.7. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Wing Servo Arm contacting Pilot Figure

Question: The servo arm on my wing servo is contacting the head of the pilot figure in my Apache III. Is this normal? What should I do to fix it?

Answer: No this is not what we intended and it should be fixed before flying your model. There are a couple of ways to resolve this.

1) Make sure your servo is a standard servo and that it is mounted down on the rails properly. Some of the ball bearing and high torque servos are in a case that stands higher than a standard servo.

2) Orient the servo so that the output shaft and arm are closer to the trailing edge of the wing rather than the leading edge. Adjust the aileron control rod lengths accordingly.

3) If after checking on 1 and 2, your servo arm is still contacting the pilot figure you will need to go to a lower profile servo or move the pilot figure slightly. We recommend moving the pilot figure and/or mounting plate... it's relatively simple to do. Here are three options that more or less accomplish the same thing:

  • Loosen the mounting screws for the plate and try to slide the plate further forward to gain more clearance, or
  • Remove the plate with pilot by sliding it backwards and out of the model. Examine the mounting rails. On both sides of the fuselage add a new rail below the existing rail leaving a wide enough vertical gap to accomodate the thickness of the plate. Re-install the plate and pilot so that the new rail is below the plate, or
  • The pilot figure is mounted to a plate. You can remove the pilot figure from the plate and relocate the figure further forward to clear the servo. Reattach the pilot figure to the plate using Pacer Dap-A-Goo.
1.3. VMA-A140X Apache III 40 ARF ECS Trainer 69" - Assembly & Operations Manual in PDF format