Top Flite TOPA0305 Part 1 - Manual (Page 21)

MAKE THE STAB TIPS
1. Securely tape the ruddervator (or elevator if
you're building the straight tail) to the stab with
masking tape on both sides. Sand the ends of the
stab and ruddervator
so they are even.
2. Draw a centerline all the way around a 3/4"
shaped balsa stab tip block.
3. Place the stab tip block over its location on
the plan. Mark where the ruddervator tip meets the
stab tip on both sides of the block.
4. Cut the stab tip from the ruddervator tip.
True the edges you just cut with a bar sander.
RUDDERVATOR
L -_I
5. Glue the stab tip to the stab. The sharp
point of the stab tip should align with the TE of the
stab. Glue the
ruddervator tip to the ruddervator
so it is 1/8" aft of the LE and aligns with the stab tip
(as shown in the sketch).
'.*'-
6. Use a razor plane or a hobby carving knife,
followed by sanding to carefully shape the
ruddervator and stab tip. Inspect your progress
frequently. Use the centerlines as a guide and the
plan as a reference
so you know what the curve of
the tip should look like.
Hint: Stick a T-pin through the ruddervator tip into
the stab. This will hold the ruddervator tip while you
shape it.
Note: When you shape the left stab tip, in addition
to the plan, use the finished tip on the right stab as
a guide to shape the left stab tip. This way you can
make sure both of the stab tips are identical.
7. Shape the stab LE as shown on the plan.
8. Separate the ruddervator from the stab.
9. Shape the leading edge of the ruddervator
to a "V" as shown on the plan. Use the centerline
on the leading edge as a guide. Make sure that the
angle of the
"V" will allow the throws indicated in
the back of the manual.
Straight tail builders, make the other stab tip
the same way; then, return to step ST40 on
page 14.
V10. Starting at rib S1V, remove a 1 -3/8" strip
of top sheeting between the V-tail LE brace and
the sub spar. Remove a 1-1/4" strip of bottom
sheeting between the V-tail LE brace and the sub
spar. See the following photo.
s1 v
V l l . Remove the small section of rib S1V
between the LE brace and the sub spar. Now you
should have a slot in the stab like the one in the
photo.
What a nice piece of workmanship! Put the right stab
in a safe place. Clean off your workbench, vacuum
the floor, and build the left stab the same way.
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