Top Flite TOPA0712 - Manual (Page 14)

14
Did You Know? Did You Know?
When it was introduced early in World War II, the Zero
was considered the most capable carrier-based fi ghter
in the world, combining excellent maneuverability and
very long range. In early combat operations, the Zero
gained a legendary reputation as a dogfi ghter, achieving
the outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1, but by mid-1942 a
combination of new tactics and the introduction of better
equipment enabled the Allied pilots to engage the Zero
on more equal terms.
ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE
INSTALL THE STABILIZER AND RUDDER
❏
1. Test fi t the two aluminum stabilizer tubes in the
fuselage and slide the stabilizers on the tubes. The
shorter tube goes in the front hole.
❏
2. Once you are satisfi ed with the fi t of the stabilizer
halves, remove the stabilizer halves and joiner tubes.
Use medium grit sandpaper to roughen up the aluminum
tubes. Clean the tubes with denatured alcohol and insert
both tubes back into the fuselage until the end exits on
the opposite side by approximately 1" [25.4mm].
❏
3. Gather everything required for gluing the stabilizer
halves to the fuselage, including 30-minute epoxy, mixing
sticks, epoxy brush, 12" [305mm] long dowel or wire,
masking tape, denatured alcohol and small paper towel
squares. Mix up 3/4 oz. [22cc] of 30-minute epoxy.
Apply a generous amount of epoxy to the long side of
the aluminum joiner tubes. Pull the tubes through the
fuselage so that they are close to centered. Pour a small
amount of epoxy into both holes of one of the stabilizer
halves and using a dowel or wire, coat the inside of
the holes. Apply epoxy to the root rib of the stabilizer
and the fuselage. Insert the end of the aluminum tubes
with epoxy on them into the stabilizer and press the
stabilizer against the fuselage. Wipe off any excess
epoxy that may have squeezed out before it runs down
the fuselage. Quickly repeat the process on the other
side. Wipe off any excess epoxy with a dampened paper
towel and denatured alcohol. Use pieces of masking
tape to hold the stabilizer tight against the fuselage
until the epoxy cures.
❏
4. Locate the rudder control wire and the plastic
control horn. Thread the control horn onto the threaded
end of the wire.
❏
5. Again, without using any glue insert the control
horn into the hole in the fuselage and then insert the
nylon bearing into the bottom hinge slot in the vertical fi n.