Top Flite TOPA0305 Part 2 User Manual

Page 6

BUILD THE TURTLE DECK

V1.

Glue formers F7A, F8A and F9A to the tops

of their respective formers.

V2.

Cut the turtle deck stringers from six

3/16"

36"

balsa sticks. Trim the aft edge

of the stringers that contact the stab

they fit the

sheeting. Glue the stringers into the notches of the
formers as shown on the fuselage plan and in the
photo. Note the arrangement of the stringers at

F9A. Important: Align the formers with a

straightedge as you glue them to the stringers.

V3.

Sand the stringers and formers

that they

will blend.

V4.

The turtle deck is sheeted with four

1/16"

balsa sheets-one sheet on the bottom of each side
of the turtle deck and one sheet on the

fop

of each

side of the turtle deck. Examine the four

1/16

x 3"

x 24" balsa sheets and set the two softest sheets

aside to be used for the tops.

V5.

Follow the Hot Tip that follows and make

the skin for the bottom of the left turtle deck side
from one of the

1/16"

balsa sheets you selected for

the bottom. Use the bottom turtle deck sheet

pattern on the plan to cut the sheet to the
approximate shape.

How to use the patterns to make the turtle

deck skins

Cut the pattern from the plan. Spray the back of

the pattern and one of the sheets with

3M 75

Repositionable Spray Adhesive. Press the sheets

together and press the pattern onto one of the
sheets. Cut the skins along the lines with a sharp

#11

blade.

V6.

Test fit the bottom turtle deck sheet and

trim where needed. The top edge of the sheet ends

in the center of the third stringer. If necessary, wet

the sheet with a

50/50

solution of alcohol and water

it will bend easier.

Hint: The best way to accurately cut the sheet to fit

your model is with careful test fitting, close

observation, and removing only small amounts of
material at a time. When done this way, you will
be rewarded with a great looking model even
before

you cover it. Then, sheeting will be your

favorite part!

V7.

Glue the bottom turtle deck sheet to the

stringers, formers and stab.

V8.

Fill in the small wedge between the

bottom turtle deck sheet and the fuse side with a

leftover piece of

1 /16"

balsa.

V9.

Sheet the bottom of the turtle deck on the

other side the same way.

Make a top turtle deck sheet for the left

side of the turtle deck with the top turtle deck

pattern on the plan and one of the soft

1 /16"

24"

balsa sheets you set aside. Test fit the sheet to

the turtle deck and trim where needed.

V11

. Glue the top turtle deck sheet to the

turtle deck. Use a paint brush to liberally apply a

50/50

mixture of alcohol and water to the sheet

(especially from the leading edge of the stab to the

end of the sheet). Be patient, bend the sheet a little

at a time, and keep applying water and alcohol.

- 4 2 -