Starwood SA 315B Lama Manuel utilisateur
Starwood Models SA315B Lama
Assembly Manual –Turbine version
-SA 315B Lama Helicopter Kit
-Optional Functional Scale Fuel Tank
www.starwoodmodels.com
Thank you purchasing the SA 315 B Lama helicopter kit. We hope you
enjoy your new helicopter!
-Starwood Scale Models
1. Carefully unpack and inspect parts.
Pg 1
Pg 2
2. Start with the Main Mechanics assembly.
3. Remove the 3 side panels. (For painting and access to mechanics)
4. Install landing gear to the bottom of the mechanics making sure the rubber dampers are
securely in place around the landing gear cross tubes. Center the mechanics on landing gear.
Pg 3
5. Trial fit, mark and drill tube ends, and attach the 4 landing gear struts as per photo. You will
have to drill both ends of each rod for the nut and bolt, so measure twice. Button head bolts
may be substituted if desired.
Pg 4
6. Mount tail assembly to mechanics with the three (3mm) Bolts. Button head 3 mm
bolts may be substituted for the socket head bolts supplied if desired.
Pg 5
7. Trial fit the torque tube in place along the top of the tail boom. Slide the front end of the
torque tube fitting into the drive cog on the tail shaft output shaft on the mechanics. Slide the
back end of the torque tube into the tail gear box fitting and mount the tail gear box with three
(3 mm) bolts.
Align all the Bearing supports with Cross members. Carefully glue bearing supports with High
Grade 2 part slow epoxy (like Aeropoxy), making sure there is No Binding and the torque tube
runs smooth and free.
The Rubber “O” Rings on the couplers are for Adjusting Tension. The “O”rings can be added/
removed to adjust the end tension on the torque tube. There should be no compression on the
tube.
Hint: You will find it easier to get the torque tube straight and true if you glue the front,
middle, and end support bearings first, let them set and then glue the remaining bearing blocks.
Use a straight edge along side the torque tube to check for correct alignment of the tube.
Pg 6
8. Mount your tail rotor servo. Refer to drawing below for pushrod location and place the tail
pitch control rod and tube in position on the tail boom. Once in place attach one end to the Tail
Rotor Gearbox, the other to your servo arm. At each Cross member along the tail boom TIE the
pushrod outer tube in place with multiple wraps of thread (DO NOT GLUE YET!). After
adjusting the pushrod tube and rod for proper smooth function and correct location. Check the
alignment from servo arm to tail box. When you are satisfied all is the proper location, place a
drop of CA on each thread wrapped location along the tail boom. This will tack the push rod in
place. Add a dab of 2 part slow epoxy to all thread/ CA connections for additional strength.
Hint: You can remove the tail push rod connection at the servo when you think everything is
aligned, but before final gluing. The tail push rod can then be moved and felt for minimal
friction while moving. Try to obtain as little drag as possible before gluing the tail push rod in
place.
9. Locate the four wood cabin formers. Assemble the formers upside down on a flat surface
with a piece of wax paper under the formers. Square the formers to each other and tack together
with medium CA glue. When you are sure formers are square to each other run a bead of CA
along the former joints and let the CA set. Turn the former assembly over (floor side up). Trial
fit to inside of the cabin. Former assembly will not be a perfect match to the bottom of the
cabin. The formers will however sit parallel and about 1/8” below the edge of the door
bottoms. The floor boards, when installed, should end up flush along the door bottoms. Add ¾
x ¾ rails to either side of the front to back formers. See Fig 9, 13, 17
Pg 7
This is a good time to add additional holes in the former assembly to run tubing for pumps and
wiring later when assembling the helicopter electronics. This is important when building the
turbine version of the Lama. (Fig 9)
Do not sand the woodwork to fit exactly where the formers meet the cabin surface. Once the
assembly fits in the cabin as described above, using a pencil, mark where the formers will be
glued to the cabin shell and remove the assembly. Use some coarse sand paper to scuff up the
fiberglass surfaces where the formers will be glued. Replace the assembly in the cabin shell and
tack it in place with CA where the assembly makes contact with the cabin shell.
Using two part, slow epoxy and micro balloons or epoxy fiberglass resin and cotton fiber
(mixed to a tooth paste consistency), glue along the entire former assembly/ cabin contact area
edges, filling any gaps. ( Fig. 9) Hint: Double check again the former assembly is properly
aligned before doing final gluing.
Fig 9
10. Now decide where you want to place the servos. See Fig 10 & 21. Cut/adjust the servo
tray to meet installation requirements and dry fit. The supplied servo push rods can be cut
down and rethreaded to locate the servos closer to the rear of the cabin. This creates a little
extra room for the new Jakadofsky ECU to fit properly and also allows room for two battery
packs (flight pack and ECU pack).
Pg 8
Fig 10
Note: Due to space limitations under floor, Kerosene start is not recommended for use with
this model.
11. Mount your turbine as shown in photo below. Be sure to leave some gear lash between the
clutch and spur gear. It is very important to leave some clearance here as the spur gear will
“grow” in size while in flight. Running the spur gear too tightly can damage the turbine output
shaft bearings. Use the supplied spacer and mounting plate to attach the rear of the turbine to
the mechanics.
12. The rear bottom of the canopy needs to be cut to allow space for the lower bell cranks and
frame members. Align the bottom of the Cabin cutout template with your canopy as shown on
the template. See Pg 10
Pg 9
