Top Flite TOPA0415 - Manual (Page 27)

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12. Temporarily mount the engine to the firewall.
Step back for a moment and think about where you
are going to mount the fuel tank and where you are
going to route your throttle pushrod and fuel lines.
While we’re working on the front end, let’s go ahead
and mount the fuel tank.
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13. Coat the inside of the fuel tank area with fuelproof
paint or epoxy. Allow to dry before proceeding.
There are many ways to position and secure the fuel
tank. The instructions that follow show the installation
of a Great Planes 32 oz. fuel tank positioned for the
U.S. Engines 41cc. Follow these instructions to mount
your tank, or use the instructions as a basic guideline
for a different installation.
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14. Cut fuel tank supports from the 1/2" x 3/4" x
30" balsa stick and glue them between the crutches
so they will hold your tank in place (note the 1/2" foam
rubber). Be certain to position the tank so it will not
interfere with your throttle pushrod. As you can see in
the photo, we mounted our tank off to the right side of
the fuse to accommodate the throttle pushrod. The
tank should be mounted securely, yet be removable
for inspection and servicing after the model is
completed and you’ve been flying it for a while.
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15. Drill holes in the firewall or fuse crutches for
the fuel lines, then temporarily mount your tank. Be
certain you are using the correct fuel lines and
rubber stopper for gas or glow fuel.
Hook up the controls
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1. Thread a 4-40 nut onto a .095" x 48" wire
pushrod, followed by a 4-40 metal clevis. Fit the
clevis into the second from the outer hole of a nylon
control horn.
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2. Fit the pushrod through the aft guide tube in the
left side of the fuse. Position the control horn on the
rudder, then mark the location with a ballpoint pen.
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3. Remove the rudder from the fin. Cut out the
rudder skin and the rudder base to accommodate the
die-cut 1/8" plywood control horn mounting plate.
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4. Securely glue the control horn mounting plate
into position, then sand it flush with the rudder.
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5. Reposition the rudder on the fin, mark the
location of the holes in the control horn on the
mounting plate, then drill 3/32" holes at the marks
and temporarily mount a heavy duty control horn (not
included) with four #4 x 1/2" screws.
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6. Prepare another pushrod with a 4-40 nut, clevis
and control horn. Slide the pushrod into the forward
guide tube on the left side of the fuse. If necessary,
make a slight bend in the pushrod so the elevator
control horn can be positioned where it will not
interfere with the rudder control horn. Mark the
location of the horn on the elevator and install
another 1/8" ply control horn mounting plate the
same as you did the rudder.
The XP-47B made its first flight on May 6, 1941. One
of the first modifications to that design was to
replace fabric covered control surfaces with those
covered with a metal skin. Unfortunately, this
improvement was not a feature of the first 773
Thunderbolts (P-47B) produced and sent into
service, thus resulting in many failures and crashes.
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