Top Flite TOPA0220 - Manual (Page 38)

MOUNT THE STAB AND FIN
❏ 1. Mount the wing to the fuselage with the wing
bolts. Make any adjustments to be sure the wing
seats properly in the wing saddle.
❏
2. Measure the TE of the stab to find the exact
center. Draw a line to the LE from this mark,
perpendicular to the TE of the stab. Position the stab
on the stab mount on the fuselage and align it with
the centerline of the fuselage. Pin the rear of the stab
to the fuselage. Use the pin and string technique to
make sure the stab is properly aligned. View the
stab/fuselage from the rear to make sure the stab is
aligned parallel with the wing. If it is not, use a bar
sander to carefully sand the stab mount so that the
stab is parallel to the wing. Mark the stab where it
meets the fuselage sides.
❏ 3. Use 6-minute epoxy to glue the stab to the
fuselage. Use the pin and string to double check the
alignment. View the stab/fuselage from the rear and
check the alignment with the wing.
❏
4. Cut a 1/4" [6.4mm] wide notch in the top of the
fuselage for the leading edge of the vertical fin. Fit
the fin to the fuselage and check its alignment. It
should be perpendicular to the stab and aligned with
the centerline of the fuselage and stab.
❏ 5. Use 6-minute epoxy to glue the fin to the
fuselage. Double check that it is perpendicular to the
stab. Sight from the front and rear of the model and
make sure the fin is aligned along the centerline of
the fuselage.
❏ 6. Cut the 3/4" x 9" [19.1 x 229mm] balsa
triangular stick into two 4-1/2" [114.3mm] pieces. Cut
and sand these pieces to fit them as filler blocks
between the fin and stab. Glue them in position with
medium CA.
❏ 7. Locate the two die-cut 3/32" [2.4mm] balsa
fuselage bottom sheeting parts. Use your bar
sander to sand the edges flat and straight where the
parts join. Edge glue both parts together using either
thin CA or aliphatic resin. Align the parts even at the
front edges. After the glue dries, use your bar sander
with 150-grit sandpaper to sand the assembled
sheeting flat and smooth.
❏ 8. Glue the fuselage bottom sheeting to the
bottom of the fuselage with medium CA.
❏
9. Remove the wing from the fuselage. Use
leftover balsa to fill the area around the bottom
sheeting and the rear fuselage hold down block.
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