Great Planes Super Decathlon 40 Kit - GPMA0185 User Manual

Page 8

BUILD THE STABILIZER

You'll need the following parts:

1/4" x 1" x 17-7/8" balsa suck
1/4" x 3/4" x 36" balsa sticks
1/4" x 1/2" x 30" balsa sticks
1/4" shaped balsa stab tie
1/4" shaped balsa stab center

D 2. Sand the elevator tips to the shape as shown on the
plan.

D 3. Carefully draw a centerline all around the edges of

the elevators.

D 1. Tape waxed paper over the separate stabilizer draw-

ing on the fuse plan. In the same manner as the rudder, cut
balsa pieces and build the stab framework.

D 2. Sand a flat spot on the leading edge at the center, as
shown on the plan.

D 3. Carefully draw a centerline on the leading and

trailing edges of the stab.

D 4. Sand the leading edge (only) to a round shape.

NOTE: The trailing edge and ends must not be rounded or V-
shaped. Instead, just sand these edges flat and square.

BUILD THE ELEVATORS

You'll need the following parts:

1/4" x 3/4" balsa stick
1/4" x 1/2" balsa sticks
1/4" shaped balsa elevators
1/8" bent wire elevator joiner

D 4. Sand the leading edge to a "V-shape, the trailing

edge to a round shape, and the outside edge of the tip to a
round shape.

D 5. Temporarily tape the elevators to the stab, providing

1/16" clearance between the elevator tip and the stab end.

D 6. Lay the 1/8" wire elevator joiner in place on the ele-

vators and mark its outline using a fine point felt-tip pen.

D 7. Accurately drill holes in the elevators for the 1/8"

wire joiner. Begin by drilling a 1/16" or 5/64" pilot hole, then
drill the final hole to a depth of 7/8" with a 9/64" drill bit.
(The hole is drilled slightly oversize to allow for positioning,
and to create a hard epoxy "sleeve" around the wire).

D 8. Use the sharpened 1/8" diameter brass tube to cut

grooves in the leading edge of the elevators to accept the

joiner wire.

D 1. Position the shaped balsa elevators on the plan, then,

from the 1/4" x 1/2" sticks, cut pieces to make the elevator
tips. Glue these pieces to the ends of the elevators.

D 9. Roughen the joiner wire with coarse sandpaper, then

clean the wire thoroughly with alcohol to remove any oily
residue.