Top Flite TOPA0310 - Manual (Page 46)

❏ 26. If you haven’t done so already, hook up your
exhaust system. Since there are many different
engine configurations available for this model, it is up
to you to select a suitable exhaust system. On one of
our prototype Stinsons with the O.S. 160 Gemini, we
made exhaust tubes from K&S 11/32" brass tubing
and connected them to the exhaust headers with
high temp (1,100 degree minimum) silver solder.
Other suitable exhaust systems for the O.S. Gemini
(and other four stroke engines) are Aerotrend tubing
(AERG2205), O.S. flex tubing (OSMG2672) or C.B.
Associates tubing (CBAG3136). We recommend you
place the highest priority on making a reliable
exhaust system rather than making a scale exhaust
system with difficult bends that may cause
overheating or other problems.
❏
27. Mount your fueling system, remote glow plug
hookups and any other accessories you plan to use,
then cut holes in the cowl to accommodate or access
those items as well as your needle valve and choke
(if one is used on your engine).
❏ 28. If you’ve decided to use one, fit a dummy
radial engine inside the cowl. We adapted the 1/5-
scale Top Flite Corsair radial engine to fit inside the
cowl of the Stinson. To do this, the overall diameter of
the dummy cylinders has to be trimmed by cutting off
a portion of the valve covers. The diameter when
trimmed should be approximately 8-1/4". Note that
the valve covers have been trimmed at an angle to
match the shape of the cowl.
❏ 29. Test fit the dummy engine inside the cowl and
trim as necessary for a good fit. Glue the dummy
engine to a piece of 1/8" lite-ply (not supplied). Trim
where necessary to allow air passage over the
head(s) of your engine and to accommodate the
carburetor and wrench for access to the cowl screws.
After the model is finished and the cowl and engine
are painted, glue the dummy engine inside the cowl
with RTV silicone adhesive.
Finish the front cabin
Before proceeding, be certain you have finalized
any details that will be difficult to reach once the
cabin top and windshield are in place. Such details
(should you decide to add them) would be the
instrument panel, scale interior lining, painting in the
cabin area, additional instrumentation, etc.
Refer to this photo for the following two steps.
❏
1. Cut off both ply fuse root ribs flush with the front
of former F3.
❏ 2. Glue a piece of leftover 1/8" balsa across the
top of former 3 above the corner braces. Shape the
balsa to match the top of the fuse and the stringers.
❏ 3. Join the wing to the fuse. Replace the fronts of
the fuse root ribs you cut off with leftover 1/8" balsa
and glue to the fuse as shown. Shape the 1/8" balsa
pieces to match the wing, leaving approximately
3/16" extending below the bottom of the wing.
❏ 4. Cut the front of the molded ABS cabin top
along the cutlines. Cut the rest of the cabin top along
the aft edges as shown. Glue 3/16" wide strips of
leftover ABS inside the top edge to support the clear
windshield that will be added later.
❏
5. Glue the cabin top to the fuse, then trim the
ends even with fuse root ribs.
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