Top Flite TOPA0410 - Manual (Page 44)

- 44 -
FINISH THE FUSELAGE
MOUNT THE STABILIZER
❏ 1. Sand the LE of the stab so that the TE of the stab is
flush with the aft edge of former F-10.
❏ 2. Use the stab plan to locate the elevator torque rod
positions on the TE of the stab. Mark the TE at the bend in
the torque rods.
❏ 3. Cut a notch in the stab TE, at the marks, to allow the
torque rods to pivot freely.
1-1/16"
[27.0mm]
❏ 4. Thread a nylon torque rod horn onto each elevator
torque rod so that the center of the torque rod horn is
1-1/16" from the center of the bend. It’s important that
both horns are the same distance from the center of
the bend.
❏ 5. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the torque
rods where they enter the guides to prevent the glue from
getting inside and “locking up” the guides. Use 6-minute
epoxy to glue the elevator torque rod guides centered on
the stab TE.
❏ 6. Position the stab on the stab saddle and trim a notch
in the aft end of the saddle to allow the torque rods to
pivot freely.
❏ 7. Install the wing on the fuse. Check the alignment of
the stab with the wing from the front and rear of the
model. If the stab tips are not equidistant above the wing,
carefully sand the high side of the stab saddle until the
stab and wing are parallel. Use the “pin and string”
technique, with the pin centered on the top edge of the
firewall, to align the stab with the fuse. When satisfied with
the fit, use 30-minute epoxy to glue the stab to the stab
saddle. Check the alignment several times while the epoxy
is curing to make sure nothing moves out of alignment.
❏ 8. Drill a 7/64" [2.8mm] pilot hole through the center of the
stab and stab saddle. Install a 3/4" flat washer on the #8 x
1" sheet metal screw. Apply 6-minute epoxy to the threads
of the screw and thread it into the hole in the stab and stab
saddle. Do not overtighten the screw crushing the stab skin.
❏ 9. Check the fit and alignment of the fin and adjust if
necessary (a 90° triangle placed on the stab will help you
detect any fin tilt). Use 30-minute epoxy to glue the fin to
the fuse and the rudder torque rod tube, centered on the
TE of the fin.
❏ 10. Install the high torque elevator servos in the radio
tray. Connect the servos to the receiver, switch on the radio