Top Flite TOPA0101 User Manual
Page 9

❏
4. Hang the LE’s over the edge of the table and
glue the 3/32" x 1/4" “
ribs
” (made from 3/32" x 1/4"
x 30" balsa) to the elevators at the locations
marked earlier.
❏
5. Flip the elevators over onto their other side
and glue the “ribs” onto the second side.
❏
6. Center the 3/32" die-cut balsa
balance tabs
on the forward surfaces of the elevator LE’s. Glue
them in position as indicated by the plan.
❏
7. Glue the elevator tip blocks (cut earlier) to the
end of the elevators.
❏
8. Cut 2" balsa
balance tab LE’s
from 1/4" x
1/2" stock. Glue them to the front edge of the
elevator as shown on the plan.
❏
9. Cut balance tab
root cap strips
from leftover
balsa 3/32" balsa. Glue them to the root end of the
balance tabs as shown on the plan. Glue a rib to
the balance tab (made from 3/32" x 1/4" x 30"
balsa) between the tip and the root cap strip.
❏
10. Make
doubler caps
for the root end of each
elevator from leftover 1/8" balsa. Glue a cap to the
root end of each elevator. Make four torque rod
doublers (see plan for shape and location) from
leftover 3/32" balsa. Glue them to both sides of the
elevators in the locations shown on the plan.
❏
11. Sand the tip of each elevator to match the
outline on the plan.
❏
12. Use a bar sander to sand the ribs to match
the typical cross-section on the plan.
Note that
there is some outward curvature to provide the
scale ribbed appearance
.
❏
13. Tape the elevators to the stab for blending
and shaping.
❏
14. Remove the elevators and shape the LE to a
“V” as shown on the cross-section if you are using
the standard hinging technique. (See the Hinging
section and the plan sheets for alternatives.)
BUILD THE RUDDER
❏
1. Trim the grooved 1/2" x 1/2" balsa
LE
(left over
from the elevators) to the length shown on the plan.
Cut the
balance tab LE
from the 1/4" x 1/2" stock.
❏
2. Join the 3/32" die-cut balsa rudder pieces,
rudder front
and
rudder back
together with CA.
Mark the “rib” locations on both sides of the rudder.
❏
3. Glue the rudder sheet into the slot in the
rudder LE.
❏
4. Cut “
ribs
” from the 3/32" x 1/4" x 30" balsa
sticks and glue them to both sides of the rudder.
❏
5. Glue the 1/4" x 1/2"
balance tab LE
to the
front edge of the rudder.
Photo for steps 1-6
❏
6. Make
doublers
from leftover 3/32" sheet to
reinforce the area where the torque rod protrudes
into the rudder (see plan for location).
❏
7. Shape the rudder to match the photos and
the typical cross-section on the plan. Tape the
rudder to the fin for shaping.
❏
8. Shape the LE to a “V” as shown on the
cross-section if you are using the standard
hinging technique.
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