Top Flite TOPA0140 - Manual (Page 14)

❏
17. Drill a 3/32" [2.40mm] hole, 1/2" [13mm]
deep in the center of the hinge slots. Use a rotary
tool with a 3/32" [2.40mm] drill bit or a carbide
cutter for the best results. Reinsert your knife
blade to
clean out the slot after you drill the holes.
❏
18. Test fit the elevators to the stab with the hinges.
❏
19. Position the elevator joiner on the TE of
the stab and center it between the elevators. Mark
the LE of both elevators where the joiner will enter.
❏
20. Drill a 9/64" [3.60mm] (or 1/8") hole at the
marks you made on the centerline of both elevator
leading edges. Cut a slot in the leading edge of
both elevators to accommodate the joiner wire.
Hint: Use a 5/32" [4mm] brass tube sharpened at
one end to cut the slots.
❏
21. Bevel the leading edges of the elevators to
a “V” as shown on the cross section of the plan.
Use the centerline on the elevator leading edges
as a guide. Test fit the elevators to the stab with
the joiner wire and hinges. If necessary, remove
the joiner and
tweak it so both elevators are in the
same plane.
❏
22. Round the root ends of the elevators.
❏
23. Remove material from the bottom of the left
elevator root block to accommodate the die-cut 1/8"
[3.2mm] plywood control horn mounting plate.
Securely glue the mounting plate to the root block
and sand it to blend with the rest of the elevator.
❏
24. Once more, test fit the elevators to the stab
with the hinges. Make sure you can obtain the
control throws indicated in the back of the manual.
If you cannot, increase the “V” on the leading edge
of the elevators. If the gap between the elevator
balance tab and the stab tip block is the source of
interference, increase the gap or bevel the elevator
balance tab as shown in the sketch until you can
obtain the indicated elevator throw.
Set the stab and elevators aside.
BUILD THE FIN
❏
1. Position the fuse plan so the fin plan is over
your building board and cover it with wax paper.
❏
2. Carefully cut along the partially die-cut lines
in the front of the die-cut 3/32" [2.4mm] balsa
fin ribs and remove the pieces of balsa to
accommodate the die-cut 3/32" [2.4mm] balsa fin
LE core (the same way you did for the stab ribs).
DRILL A 3/32" HOLE
1/2" DEEP, IN CENTER
OF HINGE SLOT
- 14 -