Top Flite TOPA0500 - Manual (Page 46)

❏ ❏ 3. Enlarge the holes in the hatch cover only with a
3/32" drill bit. Countersink the holes for the #2 x 3/8" flat
head screws with a countersink or Dremel #178 bit. Test
fit the hatch cover to the rails with the screws. If
necessary, sand the edges of the hatch cover so they
align with the edges of the hatch opening.
Note: If you find it difficult to countersink the holes in the
hatch cover for the flat head screws, you could use
regular #2 x 3/8" screws (not supplied) and not
countersink the holes.
❏ 4. Fit the right hatch cover the same way.
Refer to these photos to mount the flap and throttle
servos to the hatch cover. We’ll mount the flap servos
first because there’s only one place you can mount them
(which is determined by the hole in the hatch covers).
Whatever room left is for the throttle servo. The photos
show the left hatch. If you’re not building flaps, disregard
parts of this section that involve the flap servos.
❏ ❏ 5. Mount one of your flap servos to two 5/16" x 3/4"
x 7/8" basswood servo mount blocks. Position the
servo with the mount blocks on the left throttle/flap servo
hatch cover (which should still be in the wing). Mark the
location of the mount blocks on the hatch cover so you
will know where to glue them. Remove the hatch. Scuff
the hatch cover where the blocks will go with coarse
sandpaper so the glue will adhere. Use 30-minute epoxy
to glue the servo mount blocks to the hatch cover.
❏ 6. Mount your other flap servo to the right hatch cover
the same way.
❏ ❏ 7. Make a 5/16" x 3/8" x 7/8" servo mount block
from a 5/16" x 3/4" x 7/8" servo mount block. Mount one
of your throttle servos to a 5/16" x 3/8" x 7/8" servo
mount block and a 5/16" x 3/4" x 7/8" servo mount block.
❏ ❏ 8. Position the throttle servo with mount blocks on
the left hatch cover (temporarily placed in the wing) to
determine its mounting location on the hatch. Make sure
you position the servo so that it will not interfere with the
mounting screws on your flap servo (so you will be able
to unscrew the screws and remove your servos later if
needed).
❏ ❏ 9. Remove the hatch cover and glue the servo mount
blocks to the hatch cover in your predetermined location.
❏ ❏ 10. Place the hatch cover with the servos in the
wing. Cut the throttle cable guide tube to the correct
length. Cut the 36" throttle cable to the correct length,
then slide it through the guide tube and connect it to the
servo with a screw-lock pushrod connector.
❏ ❏ 11. Mount your other throttle servo to the servo
mount blocks, determine the mounting location and glue
the blocks to the right servo hatch cover. Mount the
hatch cover and connect the servo to the throttle cable.
On our model, we made a guide tube post from leftover
balsa to align the throttle cable with the servo.
❏ ❏ 12. Cut your throttle cables to the correct length
and connect them to your engine with screw-lock
pushrod connectors. Some may prefer to hook up the
carburetors after the model is finished but we
recommend you finalize your throttle setup now before
you begin sheeting. It’s easier to view everything and fix
it now instead of when the wing is fully sheeted.
❏ ❏ 13. Cut the openings in the outer panels for the
die-cut 1/16" plywood aileron servo hatch covers and
mount the hatches to the rails the same way you did for
the flap/throttle hatch covers.
Note: For convenience of hookup, the throttle
servos shown in the photo and on the plan are not
mounted in the same direction. This requires that
the servos be mixed electronically (instead of using
a Y-connector, since one of your servos will have to
be reversed in order for both carburetors to open
and close simultaneously). Refer to
Setup your
throttles on page 62 to electronically mix your
throttles. If the radio you plan to use is not capable
of mixing the servos electronically, mount both
servos the same way. In any regard, the servo
mounting location shown on the plan and in the
manual is our suggestion but there are other ways
to hook up your throttle servos. Whatever method
you decide upon, plan carefully and test your setup
before you proceed.
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