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Installing servos in wing ribs and setting max aileron throw.
Using plywood spacers to correct servo arm and hatch alignment.
Ensuring flap servo arm and linkage are in line at full deployment.
Mounting wings using M6 studs and nuts, addressing hardware shortages.
Installing rudder/elevator servos and setting throws, extending linkage slots.
Aligning the thrust tube with the engine's exhaust cone for optimal performance.
Centering the engine on mounting rails and securing the rear fuselage.
Mounting the fuel tank and hopper tank, and reinforcing supports.
Pressing T-Nuts into main gear mounts and attaching retract mechanics.
Installing nose gear, securing screws, and orienting steering servo.
Installing RC equipment, including a gyro, on the canopy dome support.
Recommended CG location and control throws for elevator, aileron, rudder, and flaps.
Warning against controlled spins and advice on recovery procedures.
This document serves as a concise manual for setting up the CARF-Models Rebel MAX and Rebel PRO, focusing on key aspects that might otherwise cause confusion. The high degree of prefabrication in these models means much of a traditional instruction manual is unnecessary, but specific areas require detailed guidance for proper assembly and operation.
For the aileron and flap servos, these components are installed directly into the designated cutouts within the support ribs of the wing. It's recommended to use servo arms that are no longer than 30 mm (approximately 1 1/4 inches), with aluminum arms being preferred for durability and strength. When the servo is at 100% travel, the maximum aileron throw should be maintained between 30-35 mm. To facilitate installation and adjustment, especially when working from the wing's root, a simple extended Phillips screwdriver can be created by cutting one and extending it with a brass tube.
Due to slight variations in servo dimensions and aluminum arm designs, it's possible that the servo arm and the pre-installed dual control horn might not align perfectly. In such cases, a plywood frame or one or two plywood tabs can be used as spacers between the servo and the rib to achieve proper alignment.
An important note regarding early Rebel PRO models: some servo hatches had recesses that were not 100% symmetrical or perfectly aligned with the servo ribs. This misalignment could affect the servo arm and slotted hatch. This issue can be resolved by spacing the servo away from the rib using a plywood frame or tabs. When doing so, ensure that the servo screws are long enough to securely reach the actual servo rib.
The flap linkage system is entirely internal within the wing structure. It's crucial to set the flap servo so that when the flaps are fully deployed (approximately 60 degrees), the servo arm and linkage are perfectly in line with each other. This alignment ensures that the servo is load-free when the flaps are fully extended. The flap-down angle must be set and synchronized solely by adjusting the length of the linkage. Once the servo arm is in line with the linkage, the servo endpoint setting from the transmitter will not be able to alter the flap-down angle.
The wings are secured to the fuselage using four M6 studs, which also function as anti-rotation pins. Four M6 knurled plastic nuts are typically used for this purpose. If the hardware bags are found to be short of these nuts, replacements can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer.
The rudder and elevator servos are installed through the root ribs of their respective panels. Similar to the aileron and flap servos, the servo arms should be kept short enough to achieve maximum deflection of the control surface with 100% of the servo travel. For the elevator, a travel of 30-35 mm is recommended, while for the rudder, 50-60 mm is appropriate. When using shorter servo arms, it may be necessary to extend the slots for the linkages towards the rear. This modification is acceptable and will not compromise the structural integrity of the model.
The Rebel MAX is designed to accommodate engines ranging from 220-260 N, while the Rebel PRO performs well with a 180 N engine and becomes a "rocket ship" with a 220 N engine. The engine installation process depends on the specific engine mount provided by the manufacturer. Consequently, the positioning of the front end of the thrust tube will also be influenced by the engine's position.
Some manufacturers' engine mounts may not perfectly center the engine on the mounting rails. Therefore, the front pipe mount is not permanently glued during initial assembly. This design allows for self-explanatory alignment with the engine's exhaust cone.
Longitudinally, the pipe should extend approximately 10-15 mm beyond the tail of the fuselage. This positioning determines the location of the intake lip relative to the engine's exhaust cone. The recommended distance from the rear edge of the engine's exhaust cone to the beginning of the stainless thrust tube is 25-30 mm. It is crucial that the thrust tube is perfectly co-axial with the exhaust cone opening.
To assemble the thrust tube mount, first, glue the two foam parts and the small plywood block together using 30-minute epoxy, allowing it to cure completely. Then, align the small plywood block with the single hole in the thrust tube, ensuring it is aligned with the top of the airplane. The thrust tube can then be mounted to the mount with a single sheet metal screw. Afterward, temporarily mount the rear fuselage to the front fuselage.
A critical note: The four M6 bolts are secured with Loctite and should not require adjustment. If they become loose, they should be re-glued. The rear fuselage is secured to the front fuselage by two M4 bolts on the top flat surface above the thrust tube and one M4 bolt at the bottom tab.
To center the engine, place it on the two mounting rails and visually inspect from the rear to ensure it is aligned with the thrust tube. If not, a small amount of material can be ground or cut from the single top support, or a few millimeters of scrap plywood can be added to space it from the top fuselage wall. Once the engine is centered, remove the tail fuselage from the front fuselage and permanently glue the mount in the rear fuselage with 30-minute epoxy.
Afterward, screw the engine into place. For all subsequent installations of engine components, such as the ECU, pump, fuel lines, valves, and filters, follow the instructions provided by your engine's manufacturer. In both the Rebel PRO and MAX, the ideal space for these components is the horizontal area of the fuselage dome directly in front of the engine cutout. This placement ensures proper CG, especially if batteries are installed in the nose of the airplane, with adjustments depending on the engine's size and weight.
The fuel tank is installed in front of the engine, hooking under the wing tube with a milled plywood construction. To prevent the mount from sliding sideways, a balsa block can be glued to the wing tube or fuselage floor, placed between the two vertical plywood formers.
In the front, the milled half-round foam piece is glued to the fuel tank with 30-minute epoxy, ensuring it is in the exact position to be screwed to the tank former without a gap. This piece should be glued while the tank and foam piece are in place, and then removed after the glue has cured. The joint can then be reinforced and the corners filled as needed.
The hopper tank can be mounted either on the dome, where other components are located, or at the bottom of the fuselage. To facilitate easy removal of the main tank, it is recommended to mount the hopper tank on the dome.
The main landing gear mounts feature holes for M5 T-Nuts. Press the T-Nuts from the underside into the plywood mounts, then secure the retract mechanics with M5 allen bolts.
The nose gear is installed from the bottom into the mounting rails using self-tapping wood screws. The gear cutout in the fuselage skin can be widened in that area to provide easier access to the screws, if desired.
Ensure all grab screws are tightened securely. It is generally not necessary to grind flat spots on the connection pins, except for the location of the grab screw for the steering control arm. This single grab screw will not hold tight without a flat spot in that area. Installing the steering servo is straightforward, but ensure the servo is oriented so that the servo wire is on the side away from the retract unit. This prevents the wire from catching the gear frame and becoming pinched.
All other RC equipment, including the hopper tank and engine ECU, should be installed on the dome under the canopy. This support surface is 100% level, making it suitable for mounting a Gyro in the correct attitude. It is advisable to reinforce the mounting surface with plywood from the inside to stiffen the Gyro mount, protecting it against vibration or G-load movement during flight.
The Rebel models are generally forgiving regarding CG and control throws, exhibiting no adverse flight characteristics. If it looks right, it most likely is right.
The center of gravity (CG) for all Rebel models is located at the rear edge of the wing tube. This can typically be achieved with all batteries installed in the nose, but it can vary by 20 mm forward or backward without issue.
Recommended control throws are:
A Cortex Pro Gyro would typically be set at approximately 25% gain after completing the setting procedure with the high rates as described above.
A word of caution: avoid intentionally entering a controlled spin with your Rebel. This is the only maneuver it doesn't handle well. Recovering from a full autorotating spin, especially with the CG in a rearward position, will require full throttle and several rotations. It's best not to attempt this maneuver in the first place, as the model needs to be forced very hard into a spin and does not naturally want to stall.
General| Power Source | Electric |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | 4WD |
| Chassis Material | Aluminum |
| Body Material | Polycarbonate |
| Charger | Included |
| Radio | 2.4 GHz |
| Assembly | Ready-to-Run (RTR) |
