Top Flite TOPA0220 - Manual (Page 46)

join the elevators to the stab, remove the elevators
and insert a pin in the center of the hinges to keep
them centered. Make sure there is approximately a
1/64" [0.4mm] gap between the elevators and the
stab so you do not glue them together. Use a tissue
dampened with alcohol to remove excess epoxy that
comes out of the elevator joiner holes. Use tape or
clothes pins to hold the elevators in alignment with
each other until the epoxy has fully cured.
❏ 12. Cut a paper towel into approximately 2"
[51mm] squares. Add six drops of thin CA to the
center of the hinges on both the top and bottom.
The
tunnels you drilled earlier will wick the CA into
the entire hinge surface. Use the paper towel
squares to absorb excess CA from the hinge gap
before it cures.
❏ 13. Use the same hinging method to join the rudder
to the fin and the ailerons and flaps to the wing. Use 30-
minute epoxy to glue the flap joiner wire and tail wheel
wire to the flaps and rudder.
❏ 14. Reinstall all the pushrods and mount the
control horns to the ailerons, elevators and rudder.
Connect all of the pushrods to the control horns.
Install retainers on all of the clevises.
FINISHING TOUCHES
❏ 1. Reinstall any hardware and other components
you may not already have in place such as the
engine and muffler, landing gear (or retracts), fuel
tank, servos, on/off switch, fuel filler valves,
pushrods, etc.
❏
2. Install 2-1/2" [64mm] wheels (2-1/4" [57mm] with
retracts) on the landing gear and secure them with
5/32" [4mm] wheel collars and a drop of thread lock.
Note: Did you file flat spots on the landing gear wires?
❏ 3. Cut the canopy along the cut lines and smooth
the edges with some sandpaper. Glue the canopy
into position with canopy glue such as RC-56. Three
#2 x 3/8" sheet metal screws are also provided so
you can also screw the rear of the canopy to the
fuselage at the top and corners.
❏ 4. Route the receiver antenna to the outside of the
model. We installed ours so that it exited just after
the canopy and then to the top of the fin. Install a
strain relief so that the antenna will not be pulling on
the solder joint in the receiver.
❏ 5. Study the photos on the box to decide where to
place the decals. Thoroughly clean your airplane
with rubbing alcohol before you apply the decals.
❏ 6. Trim the decals as close as practical and
carefully apply them to your model. While these are
self-adhesive decals, you can
float the decals into
position by first applying soapy water to the model’s
surface (just a teaspoon of dish detergent to a quart
of water), then
squeegeeing out the water and soap
with a piece of soft balsa or a credit card wrapped
with a tissue. Blot the surface dry and let the decal
adhesive cure for at least 12 hours before running
the engine.
GET YOUR MODEL READY TO FLY
BALANCE YOUR MODEL
NOTE: This section is VERY important and must
NOT be omitted! A model that is not properly
balanced will be unstable and possibly unflyable.
❏ 1. See the Expert Tip that follows to accurately
mark the balance point on the top of the wing on
both sides of the fuselage. The balance point is
shown on the plan (CG) and is located 3-1/2"
[88.9mm] back from the leading edge of the
center of the wing as shown in the sketch below
and on the plans. This is the balance point at which
your model should be balanced for your first flights.
Later, you may experiment by shifting the balance up
to 1/2" [12.7mm] forward or back to change the flying
characteristics. If you move the balance point
forward it may improve the smoothness and
tracking, but your R/C Nobler may then require more
speed for takeoff and become more difficult to slow
for landing. If you move the balance aft it may make
your R/C Nobler more agile with a lighter
feel and
allow you to slow the model more for landing. In any
case, please start at the location we recommend
and do not at any time balance your model
outside the recommended range.
Do not use CA accelerator on any of the
hinges and do not glue the hinges with
anything but thin CA. Do not attempt to glue
one half of the hinge at a time. The hinges will
not be properly secured and could come out
while the model is in flight.
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