Great Planes Spitfire 40 Kit - GPMA0179 - Manual (Page 27)

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2. Accurately measure the trailing edge of the aft fuse top
and use a ballpoint pen to lightly mark the center. Use the same
procedure to mark the center of the stabilizer.
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3. Mount the wing to the fuselage. Position the stab centered
on the aft fuse top, using the marks you just made for
alignment. Stand about six to ten feet behind the model and see
if the stab is parallel with the wing. If necessary, carefully use a
bar sander to make minor adjustments by sanding the aft fuse
top until the stab is in alignment with the wing.
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4. Place the stab on the fuse top with the center marks aligned,
then use a large T-pin to attach only the trailing edge of the
stab to the fuse top.
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5. Stick a T-pin through the front deck main stringer above
FD2, 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 fuse top.
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6. Carefully turn the fuselage over and use a ballpoint pen
to lightly mark where both fuselage sides contact the bottom of
the stab.
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7. Remove the stab from the fuse top but leave the T-pins in the
stab. Apply a film of 30-minute epoxy to the fuse top and to the
stab between the lines you marked indicating the fuselage sides.
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8. Reposition the stab on the fuse top 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.
Recheck alignment, then do not disturb the model until the
epoxy cures.
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1. Position the fin centered on the stab, using the mark on the
trailing edge as a guide. Use a square laid flat on the stab to
align the fin lengthwise as shown in the photo. Mark the right
side of the fin, then remove the fin from the stab.
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2. Lay a bead of medium CA along the bottom of the fin.
Position the fin on the stab, using the line you made as a guide.
Hold your square vertically on your stab to confirm the fin is
straight vertically and allow the CA to cure.
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3. Glue the fillets to the stab, fin, and TD4.
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4. Using the pieces from the false fin, fill the gap in front of
the fin and sand to shape.
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1. Cut the “spreader bars” from the supplied Great Planes
engine mount, then use a hobby knife to remove any flashing
Mount the Engine
Mount the Fin
27