it is an ARF. The DV8R is THE premier jet for grass runways. It combines high performance with low
wing loading for easy take offs from any surface, and easy landings. Being wood and covering rather
than fiberglass, if you do have a mishap, repairs are quick and easy.
Experience Level
Building the TBM DV8R requires only basic experience with typical ARF models and turbine
engines. Construction is very straightforward. It should take 20-30 hours to complete, most of which is
installing the servos, hinges and retracts. Flying the DV8R is simple enough that it can be used as a
turbine trainer. The wing is large with limited sweep for very stable slow flight characteristics,
however, if you put a very large turbine in the plane it will have outstanding performance, as good as
planes costing much more money.
Options
The DV8R as shipped to you is a traditional ARF. In addition to the kit there are items you will need
to obtain to finish your model. Options such as landing gear, brakes, fuel tanks, servo mounts and
more can be purchased directly from TBM. In many of the instructions and photos that follow some of
these items are mentioned or referred to during the construction process. Please feel free to contact
us for more information concerning these items.
What Is Needed To Start
As we mentioned earlier, it is expected that the builder of this model posses at least most of the
skills necessary to construct a model of this type. With these skills comes knowledge of modeling
tools that may be needed for a given procedure. For this reason we will not give a piece by piece
count of every tool used during the construction of this model, rather from time to time we will mention
the method and tools used to achieve a desired result on the factory prototypes. Our first model was
built using very basic modeling tools, on an average size banquet table.
IMPORTANT: Radio Selection – Channels and servo extension options
If you use a separate channel for each servo/function you need 12 channels: 2-ailerons, 2-flaps, 2-
elevators, 2-rudder, throttle, brakes, nosewheel steering, and retracts.
You can eliminate the need for some of the 12 channels if you use (up to) 5 Y-harnesses, though you
will need to program some of the servos to work properly because of end point adjustments and the
need to reverse servos. There are options for reversing servos such as a servo programmer (the
Hitec programmer only works with Hitec digital servos, not analog TBM part# HSprogrammer20),
reversing Y (TBM part# expyrev), a JR Matchbox (TBM part# JRmatchbox), or a Smart-Fly
powerexpander (various part numbers from TBM. Be sure to get one which has the programmer).
1) nosewheel steering, 2 rudders (use 2 Y-harnesses). If you use 2 channels for the
rudders, two 48” extensions are required. If you use a 12” Y-harness, two 36”
extensions are required. The Y-harness must plug into the receiver, not into the
rudders.
2) ailerons
3) flaps
4) elevators
About Adhesives
The prototypes were built using a variety of adhesives throughout the process. Predominantly
speaking, a good CA and Hysol are needed.
