Top Flite TOPA0130 - Manual (Page 36)

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8. Cut the 3/32" x 4" x 24" balsa (and the
remaining sheet from step 6) to fit the bottom of
the fuse from the lower sheeting edge to the
centerline of the center stringer. Dampen the
outside of the sheeting to help with bending it
around the Formers. When satisfied with the fit,
glue it in place with medium CA. Wick thin CA
along the top joint. Sheet both sides.
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9. Trim and sand the bottom sheeting flush
with F-1B, F-5B and F-8B.
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10. Use a sanding block to sand the aft end
Fuse sheeting to taper from F-8B to the bottom
edge of the Fin Post as shown on the plans.
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11. Fit the 7/8" x 2-1/2" x 6-1/4" Aft Fuse
Block in position. Sand the forward end of the
Block to fit flush against F-8B. Sand the aft edge
flush with the Fin Post. Put the Block in position
and trace around the underside and forward
edge to form a rough cutting outline. Tape the
Rudder in position so that you can trace the
outline on the aft edge of the Block.
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12. Use a hobby knife and a razor plane to
roughly shape the Aft Fuse Block, then glue it in
position.
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13. Continue shaping the Aft Fuse Block to
blend with the fuse. Spot glue or tape the rudder
in position. Shape the Aft Fuse Block and the
rudder LE to blend smoothly with the fuse.
When satisfied with the fit, remove the rudder.
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14. Sand the LE of the rudder to a "V" shape
as shown on the plans
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15. Cut a slot in the tail post base to accept
the Nylon Tail Gear Bearing as shown on the
plans. Slip the bearing in place. Hold the rudder
in position, then mark the location of where the
wire will plug into it. Drill a 1/8" hole about 1/2"
deep at this spot. Cut a groove in the rudder
leading edge to allow the wire to be recessed
(like the elevator joiner wire).
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16. Sand off the protruding portion of the
1/8" balsa stringer from around the upper and
lower fuse sheeting joint.
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17. Touch up any of your fillet work with a
thin coat of filler so that it can be drying while
you do the next few steps.
MOUNT THE WING TO THE
FUSELAGE
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1. Run a 1/4" drill through the Wing Dowel
Former to clean out the holes so the dowels will
fit through.
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2. Put masking tape over the top edges of
the ply Wing Saddle to protect the contour,
then carefully sand the balsa Saddle to the
match the ply. Hint:
Sand until the masking
tape just starts to show signs of being scuffed
along its entire length. Use a 3/4" - 1" dowel (or
a piece of an old broom handle) wrapped with
#220 grit to sand the curve at the forward
section of the Saddle.
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3. Cut ten pieces of Saddle sheeting 1-3/8" x
3" from a sheet of 1/16" x 3" x 30" balsa. Glue
five pieces together to make a cross-grain strip
1-3/8" x 15". Sand off the glue seams with sharp
#220 grit sandpaper.
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