Top Flite TOPA0955 - Manual (Page 15)

15
ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE
INSTALL THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER,
ELEVATORS AND RUDDER
For the installation of the stabilizer you will need
to have rubbing alcohol on hand for clean up .
If you do not have any, DO NOT START THIS
INSTALLATION UNTIL YOU DO!
It is suggested that you read the next few steps
to better understand the process before actually
gluing components in place .
o 1 . Temporarily attach the wing to the fuselage with
two ¼ - 20 nylon wing bolts . Slide the horizontal
stabilizer in place in the back of the fuselage . Position
the stab so that it is equal in length on both sides of
the fuselage and that the distance from the wing tip
to the stabilizer tip is equal .
o 2 . When you are satisfied with the positioning,
mark the outline of the fuselage onto the top and the
bottom of the stabilizer with a fine point felt-tip pen .
o 3 . Inside of the line you have marked, cut the
covering from the top and bottom of the stabilizer
using the same technique used on the bottom of the
wing . Make sure you cut the covering only!
o 4 . Locate the elevator joiner wire, and insert it
into the slots in the stab opening . Then insert the stab
into the opening in the rear of the fuselage .
o 5 . Stand back a few feet and look at the stab in
relation to the wing . The stab should be parallel and
in line with the wing . If you find that your stab is not
aligned, adjust the stab by removing small amounts
of the stab saddle with 100 grit sand-paper .
o 6 . Move the stab to the right and left, exposing the
wood where you cut the covering away . Apply 30-minute
epoxy to the wood on both the top and bottom of the
stab . Work the glue into the stab opening by moving
the stab back and forth . When you are satisfied with the
penetration of the glue, clean away the excess epoxy
from the stab and fuselage using a cloth dampened
with alcohol . Once cleaned, double check the stab
position and check to be sure the elevator joiner wire
moves freely . Set it aside to cure .