Great Planes Patriot XL Kit - GPMA0450 - Manual (Page 8)

Note: While the placement of the outer framing of any stick-
built part is important, the exact placement of the internal ribs
is not so critical. It is more important to have strong, secure
glue joints than to have the ribs placed in the exact location.
Note: We have removed the parts from the plan for clarity in
the some of the photos.
❏
1. Position the fuse plan so the stab plan is over your flat
building board. Cover the plan with Great Planes Plan
Protector or wax paper so glue will not adhere. You may cut
the stabilizer drawing from the fuse plan along the dashed
lines if you wish.
❏
2. Build the stabilizer framework using the balsa sticks
indicated on the plan. Start with the 3/16" x 3/4" x 24" [4.8 x 19
x 610mm] outer framework, then the 3/16" x 1/2" x 24" [4.8 x
13 x 610mm] and 3/16" x 1/4" x 24" [4.8 x 6 x 609mm] inner
framework. Finish with 3/16" x 1" x 18" [4.8 x 25 x 460mm]
stab tips. As you proceed, use T-pins to hold the sticks to the
plan and use thin CA to glue the parts together. Note: Save
any leftover sticks as they will be used for building the fin.
❏
3. Remove the stab from the plan. Inspect all glue joints
and re-glue as necessary. Use a bar sander and 220-grit
sandpaper to sand both sides of the stab framework flat. Be
careful while sanding so that you do not over-thin any one
particular area of the stab or gouge the stab framework by
snagging sandpaper on it.
❏
1. Place the fin plan on the building surface and cover
with wax paper or plan protector.
❏
2. Using the leftover 3/16" [4.8mm] balsa sticks from the
stab assembly, build the fin in the same manner as the stab.
❏
3. Remove the fin from the plan. Add thin CA to any joints
needing more glue. Sand flat using 220-grit sandpaper and
a bar sander.
❏ ❏
1. Use the method described in the Expert Tip that
follows or your favorite method to glue together three
1/16" x 3" x 36" [1.6 x 95 x 760mm] balsa sheets to make
one 1/16" x 9" x 36" [1.6 x 230 x 760mm] stab/fin skin. Make
another skin the same way.
Sheet the Fin and Stabilizer
Build the Fin
Build the Stabilizer
BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES
8