Great Planes Extra 300S 40 Kit - GPMA0235 - Manual (Page 29)

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3. Accurately measure the trailing edge of the stabilizer
and use a ballpoint pen to mark the center. Accurately mark
the center of the stab base where the trailing edge of the
stab contacts it.
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4. Place the stab on the stab base with the center marks
aligned, then use a large T-pin to pin only the trailing edge
of the stab to the stab base.
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5. Stick a T-pin through the forward fuse deck sheeting
above F-1T in the center of the middle stringer, then use
the “pin and string technique” to accurately align the stab
with the fuselage. Once the stab is accurately aligned, pin
the LE of the stab to the stab base.
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6. Carefully turn the fuselage over and use a ballpoint
pen to lightly mark where both of the fuselage sides
contact the bottom of the stab.
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7. Remove the stab from the stab base but leave the T-pins
in the stab. Apply a film of 30-minute epoxy to the stab base
and the stab between the lines you marked indicating the
fuselage sides.
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8. Reposition the stab on the stab base and reinsert the
T-pins into the same holes. Use the pin and string to
confirm the stab alignment, then use weights, more T-pins
or clamps to hold the stab in position. Wipe away excess
epoxy before it cures, then recheck alignment. Do not
disturb the model until the epoxy cures.
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9. If you haven't already done so, final sand the fin. Test
fit the fin on the stab with the trailing edge of the fin
between the fuselage sides. Adjust the length of the fin
trailing edge so the base of the fin fully contacts the stab.
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10. With the fin in position clamp the fuselage sides
together and use a drafting triangle or square to check that
the fin is perpendicular to the stab. Make adjustments if
needed, then glue the fin to the stab and fuselage sides
with 30-minute epoxy. Use the square to keep the stab
perpendicular to the fin. Use masking tape to hold the fin in
position until the epoxy cures.
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1. Accurately cut the 1/8" x 1/4" x 30" balsa stick into two
15" pieces for the bottom turtle deck stringers that run
along both sides of the aft fuselage top. Glue the stringers
in position so the front ends are even with F-3. The aft ends
of the stringers should end approximately 1" in front of the
trailing edge of the stab.
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2. Use medium CA to glue the rest of the turtle deck
stringers cut from the 1/8" x 1/4" x 24" balsa sticks to
formers F-3, F-4T and F-5.
Build the Turtle Deck
29