Top Flite TOPA0704 - Manual (Page 20)

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8. Place the tail gear in the fuselage while
simultaneously guiding the pull/pull cable through the
white plastic guide tubes. If installing the retractable tail
gear, also guide the air lines through the fuselage. Drill
four 3/32" [2.4mm] holes through the rails for mounting
the tail gear. If your drill bit is not long enough to reach
the rail nearest the top of the fuselage, use medium
CA to temporarily glue a 3/32" [2.4mm] drill bit in a 1/8"
[3.2mm] brass tube. After drilling the holes, the drill
bit can be removed from the tube by heating the tube.
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9. Mount the tail gear in the fuselage with four #4

1/2" [12.7mm] sheet metal screws and #4 washers.
Enlarge the center hole through the 2" [51mm] tail wheel
with a 3/16" [4.8mm] drill to fi t the axle. Remove the
axle screws. Then, slide a 3/16" [4.8mm] wheel collar
onto the axle followed by the wheel and another wheel
collar. Apply thread locker to the axle screws and then
re-install the screws to secure the axle. (Note: There is
no need for set screws in the wheel collars. They are
simply wheel spacers).
INSTALL THE TAIL WHEEL DOORS
(OPTIONAL)
We have provided tail wheel doors that will work with
either the fi xed landing gear or the retractable landing
gear. If you fl y from thick or tall grass you should consider
whether you wish to install them as the grass may catch
on the doors. If you choose not to install them skip
ahead to the next section,
Install the Tail Cone .
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1. Locate four nylon
hinges and test fit
them into the holes in
the landing gear door.
The holes may be a
little tight depending
on the amount of
fiberglass flashing
near the holes. Use
a hobby knife to open
the hole as needed.
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2. Test fi t the doors and hinges to the fuselage.
Position the doors and hinges so the doors are equally
spaced. Open and close the doors, making sure they
open without any restriction. Take note of the position
of the hinges so when you glue them into place you will
have a good idea of the hinge position.
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3. Remove the doors from the fuselage and remove
the hinges from the doors. Apply a drop or two of oil to
the center of the hinge to prevent the glue from getting
in the hinge.
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4. Using 30 minute epoxy, glue the hinges to the doors
and the hinges to the fuselage. Position the doors on the
hinges until the doors can be opened and closed without
any restriction. Clean excess epoxy from the doors and
fuselage with a paper towel and alcohol. Allow the glue
to fully harden before moving on to the next step.
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5. Completely open the doors and fully extend the
tail wheel. Locate the 3" [76mm] spring. Insert it through
the second hole from the end of the tail wheel bracket.
Make a mark on the doors in line with spring. Remove
the spring.