Top Flite TOPA0145 - Manual (Page 14)

❏ 6. Glue the die-cut 1/8” balsa fin TE to the fin
TE spar.
❏ 7. Glue the die-cut 1/8 balsa fin tip between the TE
spar and the top of V5. Be sure that the tip is centered
on the LE and TE as shown in the photograph.
❏ 8. Cut three balsa hinge blocks from the 1/4" x
5/16" x 24" [6.4 x 7.9 x 610mm] balsa stick and glue
in place as shown on the plan.
❏ 9. Rearrange any T-pins that protrude above the
structure so they will not interfere with your bar
sander. Lightly sand the top of the LE and TE to
match the airfoil shape of the ribs to accommodate
the fin skin.
❏ ❏ 10. Cut a 1/16" x 3" x 30" [1.6mm x 76 x 762mm]
balsa sheet into two 8-1/2" [215.5mm] long pieces
and one 4-1/2” [114mm] long piece. Edge glue the
three sheets together in the same way the stab
sheeting was done. This will become one of the fin
skins. Use the Fin Skin Pattern on the plan to make
one fin skin.
❏ 11. Repeat step 10 to make a second fin skin.
❏ 12. Remove the T-pins from the fin assembly and
glue one of the fin skins in position. Align the rear of
the skin with the TE of the fin and the bottom of the
skin with V1.
❏ 13. Remove the fin from the building board.
Remove the jig tabs from the other side of the fin and
lightly sand the fin ribs, LE and TE to shape.
❏ 14. Glue the second fin skin in position on the fin.
Take care not to twist the fin when gluing the fin skin
in place.
❏ 15. At this point set the fin aside and proceed with
the assembly of the rudder.
❏ 16. Glue the die-cut 3/32" [2.4mm] balsa front and rear
rudder core pieces together to form the rudder core.
❏ 17. Mark the location of the rudder ribs on both
sides of the die-cut 3/32" [2.4mm] balsa rudder core
where shown on the plan. Use the same procedure
as in step 1 of building the elevator.
❏ 18. Cut a 1/4" x 1/2" x 24" [6.4 x 12.7 x 610mm]
balsa stick to the length shown on the plan to make
the rudder leading edge.
❏ 19. Draw a centerline on the LE material and glue
the rudder core on to the center line.
❏ ❏ 20. Cut four balsa hinge blocks from a 1/4" x
5/16" x 24" [6.4 x 7.9 x 610mm] balsa stick and fit
them to the LE of the rudder as shown on the plan.
Glue them in place on the left side of the rudder as
shown in the photo at Step 22.
❏ ❏ 21. Use a 1/16" x 5/16" x 24" [1.6 x 7.9 x
610mm] balsa stick to make the rudder ribs. Cut the
sticks to the correct length, then glue them to the
rudder cores and the leading edge of the rudder.
❏ ❏ 22. Glue a leftover piece of balsa to the bottom
of the rudder to help in shaping the rudder for
covering. The photo above shows one side of the
rudder with the ribs, hinge blocks and leftover balsa
in place and shaped.
Repeat steps 20-22 for the right side of the rudder.
❏ 23. Draw a centerline on the LE of the rudder.
Mark the location of the hinges. Cut your hinge slots
in the same manner you did for the elevator. When
this is complete, taper the LE the same way as the
leading edge of the elevator.
❏ 24. Install the rudder control horn. Rest the small
nylon control horn on the rudder as indicated on the
plan and mark where to position the die-cut 1/16"
[1.6mm] plywood control horn mount. Remove the
balsa from this area and glue the control horn mount to
the rudder. Mount the control horn to the plywood base
with two #2 x 3/8” sheet metal screws.
❏ 25. It's time to do the final sanding of the rudder.
Verify the shape and taper of the rudder against the
fin. When you are satisfied, set it aside and we'll get
started on the fuselage.
14