KAVAN HPH 304TS TwinShark - Instruction manual

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the semi-scale model of the HPH 304TS Twin Shark sailplane. You are about to start assembling a model manufactured from virtually unbreakable EPO (expanded polyolefin) foam powered by a mighty brushless motor and lightweight LiPo battery. Everybody who has already mastered flying a “full house” trainer - with aileron, elevator, rudder, and throttle control - will enjoy this beautiful high-performance glider.

HPH 304TS Twin Shark – a Czech sailplane with German roots

In 1962 Eugen Hänle founded the Glasflügel Segelflugzeugbau GmbH, which soon became famous as the first company to produce fibreglass sailplanes in large numbers. Glasflügel’s designs have always been known for innovative solutions becoming standard features of modern sailplanes: quick assembly systems for wings and tailplanes, trailing edge airbrake-flap combinations, highly practical cockpit and control system design and many more. Unfortunately, after the untimely death of the founder in a flight accident in 1975, the company encountered financial difficulties; it was finally dissolved in 1982.

In the middle of 1990, a young Czech company called HPH (already established as a museum quality scale model manufacturer) restored the production of one of the latest sailplanes designed by the Glasflügel – Type 304. The manufacturing plant in Kutná Hora (central Bohemia) started with the HPH 304CZ built using the original moulds and jigs, later upgraded to 15 metres FAI class HPH 304C Wasp; in 2006 they introduced a brand new 18-metre-class design named HPH 304S Shark and finally the 20-metre two-seater class sailplane HPH 304TS Twin Shark in 2017.

Before you start

If you are not an experienced R/C pilot, plan to have a fully competent pilot check your completed model and help you with your first flights. Even though we have tried to provide you with a thorough instruction manual, R/C models are rather complicated and an experienced modeller can quickly check over your model to make sure your first flights are successful.
Please assemble your model exactly according to these instructions. Do not attempt to modify or change your model in any way as doing so may adversely change its flying characteristics.
Before you begin, please check the entire contents of this kit to make sure that no parts are missing or damaged. This will also help you to become familiar with each component of your plane. If you find that any of the parts are either missing or damaged, please contact your dealer immediately for replacement.
Note: Your dealer cannot accept kits for return if construction has begun.
Trial fit each part before glueing it in place. Make sure you are using the correct part and that it fits well before assembling. No amount of glue can make up for a poorly fitting part.
The manual contains a drawing showing the default position of the Centre of Gravity (CG) and recommended control surface throws. Please note it is essential to keep the recommended CG position for the first flight otherwise the model could be unstable, hard to control or even unable to fly at all! Later you can fine-tune the CG position to suit your flying style and skills.