Top Flite TOPA0410 - Manual (Page 19)

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SHEET THE WING PANELS
❏ 1. Sort through the 3/32" x 3" x 30" balsa sheets,
separating the best wood with the most uniform grain for
the top wing skins. Use the remaining sheets for the
bottom skins.
30" [762mm]
3"
[76.2mm]
❏ 2. Make four outer wing panel skins using the method
described for making the stab skins. Cut two 3/32" x 3" x
30" balsa sheets in half diagonally. Edge glue one of
these sheets to four full 3/32" x 3" x 30" balsa sheets, that
have also been edge glued together.
6" [152.4mm]
1-1/2" [38.1mm]
7-1/2"
[190.5mm]
3" [76.2mm]
❏ 3. Make four forward top LE skins by cutting ten
5-7/8" [149.2mm] long pieces from two 3/32" x 3" x 30"
balsa sheets. Cut two of the pieces in half lengthwise.
Edge glue two 3" x 5-7/8" pieces and one 1-1/2" x 5-7/8"
piece together to make four 3/32" x 5-7/8" x 7-1/2" forward
top LE skins.
7" [177.8mm]
3-1/2" [88.9mm]
1-1/2" [38.1mm]
12" [304.8mm]
14" [355.6mm]
❏ 4. Make two top TE skins by cutting two 14" [355.6mm]
long pieces from a 3/32" x 3" x 30" balsa sheet, four 12"
[304.8mm] long pieces from two 3/32" x 3" x 30" balsa
sheets and four 7" [177.8mm] long pieces from a fourth
3/32" x 3" x 30" balsa sheet. Edge glue a 3" x 12" piece
centered on each side of a 3" x 14" piece. Then, edge
glue a 3" x 7" piece, centered on each 12" piece. After the
glue dries, trim the top TE skin following the sketch above.
❏ ❏ 5. Hold an outer wing panel skin over the bottom of
the outer wing panel. The wood grain of the skin runs
parallel to the main spar. Mark the shape of the wing on
the skin, allowing about 3/16" [4.8mm] extra on all sides.
Cut the wing skin along the marks. On the wing bottom,
the outer wing panel is sheeted from rib T-6 to the center
of R-1. We suggest adding a piece of left over balsa, from
the rib dies, to each side of R-1A, aft of the center spar.
This will provide a larger gluing surface for the wing skin.
Save the excess skin for use later.
❏ ❏ 6. Place the wing center section on the dihedral block
and the wing tips against the building table. Check the fit of
the wing skin on the outer wing panel and make any
adjustments necessary for a good fit. Use thick CA to glue
the wing skin to the LE first. Use masking tape to hold it in
position until the CA cures. Next, wet the outside of the
sheeting with warm water. This will soften the sheeting and
allow it to bend around the LE. Apply thick CA to all the
structure that will contact the bottom of the wing tip
sheeting, from the main spar forward. Carefully press the
wing skin onto the structure and hold it in place until the
glue cures. Finally, carefully lift the aft edge of the wing tip
sheeting and apply thick CA to the remaining structure and
press the sheeting against the structure until the CA cures.
From a 3/32" x 3" x 30" balsa sheet, cut a piece to finish the
sheeting at the TE. Note: Aliphatic resin glue may be
substituted for thick CA when sheeting the wing. Use pins or
weights to hold the sheeting in position while the clue cures.
❏ ❏ 7. Do any trimming necessary to fit the outer wing
panel skin piece cut off in step 5, over ribs T-6 and T-7 and
glue it in place.
Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 for the other wing tip panel.
❏ 8. Remove the weight from the wing tips and turn the
wing over. Remove the jig tab on rib T-7. With the wing
resting on the building table, position the die-cut 1/8"