The Following is an outline of a basic build of an all stock GWS DHC-2 Beaver. Special thanks to Tallflyer from the groups for allowing me to use these pictures. parts used in this build are: -1. GWS DHC-2 Beaver kit with GW350c Stock motor and ep1047 prop (all come in the box with your Beaver ARF kit -2. Pico servos (be sure to get the correct ones for your reciever JR style or Futaba style) -1. ICS300li speed control for Lipo battery packs or an ICS 300 for NiMH -1. GW/R4PII receiver2. Dubro ez conectors ( for the servos ) -2. gws lite foam 1 1/2" wheels (or use the stock ones from the kit) -1. gws lite foam 1" wheels (or use the stock one in the kit) Building material: Hobby knife and blades roll of strapping tape ( the kind with fiber strands in it) hot glue gun (with low temp glue sticks) or 2 part epoxy can be substituted; your choice gws contact cement pair of metal cutters suitable for cutting piano wire wax paper clear scotch tape 3/4" type Isopropyl alcohol to clean ALL foam parts prior to gluing Optional: pinvise and some small numbered drill bits make things go more smoothly |
This is what the ARF GWS DHC-2 Beaver kit looks like when you bring it home from
your local hobby. When you open the box you will notice that the parts are
individually packed and the foam parts are protected by cardboard inserts. |
As per the instructions cut the battery compartment to allow a snug fit for
your battery pack. The image shows a 2s Lithium Polymer battery but you
can also use a GWS 750 mah 7 cell battery which will fly this plane just fine.
Be sure to cut both sides of fusalage to match. |
Next cut or drill the slot in the top left side of the fusalage for the rudder
control rod . The instructions are not very clear on this point but if
you look very carefully you should be able to see a small dimple where the hold
should be. |
Then cut or drill a slot on the rear right side of the fusalage for the elevator
control rod. |
Next glue in the motor stick and tail gear. Be sure to refer to the page
on thrust angle before gluing in the stick to assure you have both right and down thrust correctly
dialed in. |
Use the GWS contact cement ( the glue in the white tube in your kit) to glue
the fuselage together. Apply a thin layer on both halves of the fuse then
press them together and immediately pull them apart. Let the 2 halves
dry for about 10-15 minutes then careful press the 2 halves together (note alignment
is important as you wont get a second chance here) |
Hot glue or Epoxy the wing strut mounts to the fuselage. You may want to review
the page on wing assembly at this point for some tips on making this joint bulletprook |
Hot glue or Epoxy the battery holder in place. You may want to
refer to the Tips and Tricks page for some ideas on strengthening the battery hatch. Note: you may have
to cut the tabs inside the hatch cover to allow your battery to fit depending
on the battery you decide to use. |
You will need to cut into the leading edge of the elevator to install the bamboo
reinforcement as shown in the picture. This can be glued in place with your
adhesive of choice. You are now ready to slide the horizontal stabilizer
in... but you must first slide the elevator into the slot as there isnt enough
room to slid both in at once. Now glue the Horizontal Stabilizer in place
being careful to keep glue off of the elevator. |
You can now use the provided tape (or blenderm tape as noted on the wing page) to hinge the elevator. |
hinge the rudder using either tape or one of the other options noted on the wings pages and then glue the vertical stabilizer to the slot in the fuse. Again it is
important to keep glue off of the rudder |
Its now time to mount the motor and gear box to the stick. Once the motor is
installed in the gearbox slide the gearbox all the way onto the stick.
Use one of the supplied screws to attach the gear box to the stick (note it may
help to drill a small hole in the gear box mount to make screw installation easier) |
Cut and install the plastic cowl as per the GWS instructions. Be sure to securely
glue the mounting pads to the fuselage and predrill the holes before attaching
with the provided screws |
Next install your electronics: Servos, speed control and receiver. Mount the
speed control and reciever using double coated tape. Its a good idea to keep
your speed control as far away as possible from your reciever to reduce the chance
of interference.. Servo's can be mounted with double coated tape
as well or have a look at some other options on the tips and tricks page |
Its now time to assemble your wing.. Rather than go into detail on ths page
I would suggest you review the page dedicated to wing assembly. |
Next, intsall your dowels through the fuse for the wing mounts. Its a good
idea to predrill the holes rather than trying to push the sticks through the foam
as it may tear the foam. Once the sticks are through the fuse you can glue them
with your choice of adhesive. |
Assemble your wing struts as per the GWS instructions. One strongly recomended
deviation is to pin the strut clevis' as noted on the wing page |
Finally install your landing gear wire, the wheels (picture shows upgradded foam
wheels available at your hobby shop) and install the landing gear foam struts.
The struts are only for decoration and should be attached to the landing
gear wire only with the tape provided and not to the fuselage. You
may want to reiveiw the page on landing gear at this point. |
Thats it! you are now ready to test fly! dont forget to do a range check! |
Final steps: Appy the decals as noted in the instructions, strap on your wings,
Check your center of gravity as noted on the thrust angle and CG page |