Top Flite TOPA0130 - Manual (Page 43)

Cover the aircraft with MonoKote following the
sequence below. Make sure the MonoKote is
thoroughly stuck down to the structure and all of
the edges are sealed. Use a Top Flite
MonoKote Hot Sock on your covering iron to
avoid scratching the MonoKote.
NOTE: When covering areas that involve fillets
and sharp junctions, like the tail section of the
AT-6, cut narrow strips (3/8" to 5/8") and apply
them in the corners before covering the major
surfaces. The larger pieces of MonoKote will
overlap and capture these smaller pieces. This
technique also bypasses the need to cut the
MonoKote in these areas after it has been
applied. DO NOT, under any circumstances,
attempt to cut the covering material after it
has been applied to the fin and stab, except
around the leading and trailing edges and
the tip. Modelers who do this often cut through
the covering and part-way into the balsa stab
skin. This can weaken the stab to the point
where it may fail in flight!
Recommended Covering Sequence:
1. Tail Fillet Strips as described in
above note
2. Rudder left side
3. Rudder right side
4. Bottom of elevators
5. Top of elevators
6. Stab bottom
7. Stab top
8. Fin left side
9. Fin right side
10. Fuse color band*
11. Wing fillet (on fuselage)**
12. Fuse bottom
13. Fuse sides
14. Fuse top
15. Ends of ailerons and flaps
16. Bottom of ailerons and flaps
17. Top of ailerons
18. TE surfaces of wing
(at ailerons and flaps)
19. Bottom of left wing panel
20. Bottom of right wing panel
21. Bottom of center panel (over lap
covering 1/4" at the outer panels)
22. Top of left wing panel (overlap covering
1/4" at wing LE)
23. Top of right wing panel (overlap covering
1/4" at the LE)
24. Top of center wing panel (over lap
covering 1/4" at the outer panels)
*A pattern has been provided to aid in cutting
the wrap-around fuselage color band.
**When covering concave surfaces, follow
the iron with a damp cloth, pressing the
covering down.
APPLY THE DECALS
NOTE: The decal sheet does not give you
everything you need to completely trim your
model, but it does provide all the intricate
detailing and difficult items, including some
Army and Air Force markings.
1. Study the plans and the photos on the box to
decide where to place the decals.
2. Thoroughly clean your air plane before
applying decals.
3. Tr im the decals as close as practical.
Carefully apply the decals to the model.
NOTE: Certain decals (such as "No
Push," etc.) are provided and may be
used at your discretion. Our scheme
deviates from true scale because we
incor porated the "6 of Diamonds"
emblem from another aircraft of the
same type to the scheme shown in the
Frank Tiano documentation pack.
DRAW THE PANEL LINES ON THE
MODEL
(OPTIONAL)
Inked-on panel lines are easy to draw
and enhance the model's appearance. For the
most accurate results, refer to the 3-view
drawings from Scale Model Research for
placement of the lines. You may also use the
pictures on the box for reference.
To draw the panel lines we used a
Staedtler Lumocolor 313 Permanent fine point
pen. These pens are available from
engineering/drafting supply stores. We suggest
using this pen because it wor ks well on
MonoKote and mistakes can be removed with
70% r ubbing alcohol. Your model may be
cleaned with most cleaners without seriously
affecting the lines. Remember, you can easily
do touch-ups with this method.
HINT: Apply a strip or two of masking tape to
the bottom side of the ruler about 1/8" from the
edge. The tape will add friction so the ruler
won't slide and prevents the ink from wicking
under the ruler.
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