Top Flite TOPA0410 - Manual (Page 13)

- 13 -
❏ 6. Sand the LE of the balance tab base and ribs even.
Cut a 3-1/2" long balance tab LE from the remaining 3/8"
x 3/4" balsa stick. Glue the LE, centered on the front edge
of the balance tab base and ribs.
❏ 7. Sand the bottom of the rudder even. Cut a root rib
from the remaining 1/8" x 1" balsa stick and glue it,
centered on the bottom of the rudder.
❏ 8. From the remaining 3/8" x 1-1/4" balsa block, cut a
torque rod block to fit the opening in the rudder base.
Glue the block, centered on the LE, rudder base and ribs.
Note: If large pin point hinges are used to hinge the
rudder to the fin, glue balsa hinge blocks to the rudder at
the hinge locations.
❏ 9. Sand the balance tab LE to match the outline on the
plan.
❏ 10. Use a razor plane and bar sander to shape the ribs
to match the typical rudder cross-section shown on the
plan. Note that there is some outward curvature of the ribs
to provide the scale ribbed appearance.
❏ 11. Use thick or medium CA to tack glue the rudder to
the fin — remember, just a drop in two or three places.
With the rudder centered on the fin TE, leave a 1/16" gap
between the fin and the balance tab.
❏ 12. Use a razor plane and your sanding bar to sand the
rudder and fin flush. Avoid sanding the fin skin. Proceed
slowly, removing small amounts of material at a time.
❏ 13. Position the rudder over the fuselage plan and mark
the hinge locations. Tape the rudder to the fin and transfer
the hinge locations from the rudder to the fin.
❏ 14. Mark a centerline on the LE of the rudder. Install
heavy duty hinges (not included) at each hinge location on
the centerline of the rudder LE. Do not glue the hinges in
until after the finish has been applied.
❏ 15. Mark “bevel to” lines on the sides of the rudder LE.
Shape the LE to a “V” as shown on the rudder cross-
section.
❏ 16. Test fit the hinges in the elevators and stab and
adjust as necessary to get a close fit between the LE of
the elevator and TE of the stab.