Top Flite TOPA0130 - Manual (Page 8)

GET READY TO BUILD
❏
1. Unroll the plan sheets. Re-roll the plans
inside out to make them lie flat.
❏
2. Remove all parts from the box. As you do,
figure out the name of each part by comparing it
with the plans and the parts list included with
this kit. Using a felt tip or ball point pen, write
the part name or size on each piece to avoid
confusion later. Use the die-cut patterns shown
on pages 6 and 7 to identify the die-cut parts
and mark them before removing them from the
sheet. Save all scraps. If any of the die-cut parts
are difficult to punch out, do not force them!
Instead, cut around the parts with a hobby knife.
After punching out the die-cut parts, use your T-
Bar or sanding block to lightly sand the edges
to remove any die-cutting irregularities.
❏
3. As you identify and mark the par ts,
separate them into groups, such as fuse
(fuselage), wing, fin, stab (stabilizer),
and hardware.
BUILD THE TAIL
SURFACES
BUILD THE HORIZONTAL
STABILIZER
❏
1. Work on a flat surface over the plans
covered with waxed paper. Refer to the plans to
identify the parts and their locations.
❏
2. Punch out both sets of the die-cut 3/32"
balsa ribs S-1 through S-6. There is a jig tab on
the bottom edge of each of these ribs. If any of
these break off, carefully glue them back on with
thin CA. Lightly sand any imperfections. You
may need to finish cutting the notch in the
forward portion of S-1 for the Stab Joiner (SJ)
with a knife. Use a pen to mark the extensions
of the bottom edge of the ribs across the fore
and aft ends of the jig tabs. These marks will
help when you trim off the jig tabs later.
❏
3. The stab Trailing Edges (S) are die-cut
from 1/4" balsa. Since some crushing may occur
when die-cutting wood of this thickness, they
are supplied slightly long and can be trimmed.
Tr ue up the ends of these pieces with
sandpaper. Also true up the top and bottom
edges of these pieces with a T-bar.
❏
4. Cut the stab and fin Leading Edges (LE's)
to length from the 1/4" x 30" tapered balsa stock.
Cut these two pieces about 1/4" longer than the
length shown on the plans for the stab LE.
HINT: Bevel the front edge of the stab and fin ribs
to match the sweep angle of the LE stock. This
will give you a better fit and a stronger glue joint.
❏ ❏
5. Starting with the right half of the stab,
pin ribs S-2 and S-5 to the building board over
their locations on the plans.
❏ ❏
6. Center the LE on the front edge of ribs
S-2 and S-5. Glue it in place with CA.
❏ ❏
7. Center the TE on the back edge of ribs
S-2 and S-5. Glue it in place with CA.
❏ ❏
8. Glue ribs S-3, S-4 and S-6 in their
places. All of the jig tabs should rest on the
work surface.
❏
9. Sand the LE and TE near the stab center
so they match the endpoints shown on
the plans.
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