Top Flite TOPA0220 - Manual (Page 14)

❏ 1. Use a straightedge to mark the centerline of
both elevators and the stab with a ballpoint pen.
Mark the location of the hinge slots on the elevators
and stab where shown on the plan. Cut the hinge
slots in the elevators and the stab along the
centerlines with a #11 blade.
❏ 2. Using the sketch above, cut nine hinges to a
size of 3/4" x 1" [19 x 25.4mm] from the CA hinge
strip supplied with this kit. Snip the corners off so
they go into the slots easier.
❏
3. Test fit the hinges into the slots. If the hinges do
not slide into the slots easily, work your knife blade
back and forth in the slot a few times to provide more
clearance (it is really the back edge of the blade that
does the work here in widening the slot).
❏ 4. Drill a 3/32" [2.4mm] hole, 1/2" [12.7mm] deep
in the center of the hinge slots. Use a rotary tool with
a 3/32" [2.4mm] drill bit or a carbide cutter for the
best results. Reinsert your knife blade to
clean out
the slot after you drill the holes.
❏ 5. Test fit the elevators to the stab with the hinges.
If any hinge slots are not wide enough or are
misaligned, make adjustments so the elevators
accurately fit the stab.
❏ 6. Bevel the leading edges of the elevators to a
“V” as shown on the cross section of the plan. Use
the centerline on the elevator leading edges as a
guide. Test fit the elevators to the stab with the
joiner wire and the hinges. (If necessary, remove
the joiner and
tweak it so both elevators are in the
same plane.)
Note: Make sure you can obtain the control throws
indicated in the back of the manual. If you cannot,
increase the “V” on the leading edge of the
elevators.
❏ 7. Test hinge the vertical fin and rudder in the
same manner.
DO NOT glue the hinges until the model has been
covered.
This completes the construction of the tail surfaces.
BUILD THE FUSELAGE
PREPARE THE FUSELAGE SIDES
Note: The fuselage parts interlock together, so you
do not need to put the fuselage plan on your building
board. You should, however, cover your building
board with plan protector or wax paper.
❏ 1. Locate the die-cut 1/8" [3.2mm] balsa upper
fuselage side, front lower fuselage side and rear
lower fuselage side parts. Also locate the belly pan
parts. There are two sets of parts for the left and
right sides.
We HIGHLY recommend that you use the Great
Plans Slot Machine
™ for cutting your hinge slots.
This motorized hinge slotting tool makes clean
slots of the exact size needed for CA hinges.
Once you use this tool, you will never cut your
hinge slots any other way.
HOW TO MAKE THE HINGE SLOTS
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