joplin-mdbooks-website/content/model-build-notes/build-notes-for-the-ft-mighty-mini-arrow.md

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title = "Build notes for the FT Mighty Mini Arrow"
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These notes are a condensed version of the [FT Arrow build video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD2Ca2oskVs).

![maxresdefault.jpeg](../../resources/d4819ca1c3d0490daaa12f62af09aa00.jpeg)


## Wings

* Do an "A" fold on the spars and glue, stop 15mm from each edge. Use a triangle to make sure the spar folds are perpendicular.
* Open the servo hole.
* Cut the bevels, double on wing and single on elevon (on the elevon side).
* Add a thin ribbon on glue on the bottom of the elevon hinge for strength, and scrape almost all of it off.
* Remove servo pocket from the wing.
* Fold the wing with the bottom on top, to curve the leading edge without crinkling the airfoil score cuts.
* Cut the side pods if you aren't going to use a center pod.
* Glue the side pod hinges.
* Cut the main pod space on the top of the wing.
* Skewer the wing score cuts.
* Line up the spar's servo hole onto the wing and glue onto the top side.
* Glue the airfoil's score cuts and fold the wing so the score cuts are glued up.
* Cut the excess spar.
* Probably put the servos in now, to avoid having to make a hook later.
* Glue the leading edge, bottoms of the spar, and the end of the trailing edge, and press closed.


### Joining the wings

* Tape the wings together at the bottom, glue them together in the middle, lay them down and wipe the excess glue.
* Cut the excess edge of the nose.


## Center pod

* Pop out the foam tabs on the wings, where the center pod will go.
* Pop out the tabs on the center pod.
* Do an "A" fold on the bottom plate.
* Fold the little edge of the top of the center pod over (and/or add tape).
* Glue the center pod on. The backs of the wing should both be at the same height. Note that still be open/exposed, not glued down. FT leave them like that, but I like to close them up with some tape at the end so junk doesn't get into the wing.
* Install the control horns and servos (I use epoxy for the control horns as they tend to get ripped out with just hot glue).
* Use the reflex checker foam to calibrate the wing's reflex.
* Add a ziptie to the control rod so it doesn't bend.


## Power pod

* Install the motor onto the power pod and install the power pod. You probably don't need to glue this, just make sure it's tight.
* Remove the foam from the sides of the nose.
* Do a "C" fold on the back bit (and probably add some tape).
* Carefully bend the nose.
* Test fit it and glue the front part.
* Use more tape to secure the front and sides.
* Add some tape so you can pull the top open.
* Add some glue to the bottom of the top hatch so it catches and secures on close.

## Winglets

* Only cut the top part of the wing, parallel to the bottom.
* Line up the reference line on the winglets and glue (the front tip of the winglet should be flush with the leading edge).

## Electronics

* The rest is left as an exercise to the reader.

* * *

<p style="font-size:80%; font-style: italic">
Last updated on November 27, 2020.  For any questions/feedback,
email me at <a href="mailto:hi@stavros.io">hi@stavros.io</a>.
</p>