Top Flite TOPA0415 - Manual (Page 17)

over the plan. An accurate way to do this is to place
one on top of the other with the grooves opposed,
then use a razor saw and a miter box (or a table belt
sander) to make the bevel.
❏
3. Pin the main stringers over the plan, gluing the two
pieces together at the splice. The aft end of the stringer
should be even with the plan, but the front of the
stringer may extend beyond the plan by approximately
1/4" or so.
❏
4. Splice and pin the main stringers over the other
side of the plan the same way.
❏
5. Do not use any glue in this step. Fit the tank
roof (TR) followed by the right upper crutch (RUC)
and left upper crutch (LUC) into former F-1. Don’t
forget to make sure the embossed part names on the
formers are facing forward. Add former F-2 to the
crutches. Position the assembly over its location on
the plan between the main stringers. Note: The left
crutch is slightly longer than the right crutch to set
the right thrust angle.
❏
6. Use medium CA to glue TR, RUC and LUC to F-1
making certain F-1 is perpendicular to the building
board. Do not glue TR to the upper crutches forward
of F-1. Glue F-1 and F-2 to the side stringers and glue
F-2 to the crutches.
❏
7. Join former F-3 to the upper crutches and main
stringers, followed by formers 4 through 9, gluing
them into position as you proceed. Use a small
builder’s square to hold the formers vertical as you
glue them into position. Twisted formers will be
straightened when the stringers are added later.
❏
8. Edge glue both halves of the die-cut 1/8" balsa
cockpit deck together, then glue it to formers F-3
and F-5.
❏
9. Test fit both die-cut 1/8" plywood stab saddles
to F-9 and the main stringers as shown in the sketch.
Sand a slight bevel on the bottom edge of the
saddles to match the angle at which they contact the
main stringers. Use 30-minute epoxy to thoroughly
glue the stab saddles into position.
❏
10. Glue the four 1/8" x 1/4" x 30" balsa main sub
stringers into the groove in the main stringer on both
sides of the fuselage. Make certain none of the T-pins
already inserted into the main stringer interfere with
allowing the sub stringers to fit all the way into
the grooves.
Note: As you proceed, be certain the embossed
names of the formers are facing the front of
the fuselage.
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