Top Flite Elder 40 - Manual (Page 8)

SHEETING SEQUENCE-
FRONT OF FUSELAGE
NOTE THAT EACH PIECE OF 1/8"
SHEET BALSA IS APPLIED
"BY THE NUMBERS"
OPPOSITE SIDE IS
COVERED IN A
SIMILAR MANNER
REDUCED SIZE DETAIL OF
ALL FIVE PIECES BUTT-
JOINED TOGETHER
Again, accurately position the wing center section
assembly in place on the fuselage, its leading edge
against F-7. Locate the tapered hardwood center
section's trailing edge and part W-14A. Hold these
two parts in place against the center section's trail-
ing edge and, with a pencil, draw a line across the 14"
x 1/2" balsa cross-brace to indicate where the top,
rear fuselage sheeting begins. Remove and set-
aside the center section and the other parts for now.
Finish sheeting the fuselage with cross-grained 1/8"
balsa, from the line just drawn to where the fuselage
sides end.
With the exception of final sanding and rounding as
shown on the plans, the fuselage is now complete.
LANDING GEAR AND TAILSKID ASSEMBLY
The pre-bent front and rear 1/8" dia. M.W. landing gear
(L/G) forms must be joined together at the bottom,
towards the wheels. We recommend soft copper wire for
firmly wrapping the two pieces together prior to solder-
ing. We would highly recommend the use of HARRIS'S
STAY-CLEAN FLUX and their silver solder for this opera-
tion. Although a soldering iron will work, with patience,
these joints can be quickly and permanently made with
the use of a small hobby-type gas torch.
1. Locate the position of the rear "cross-axle" wire to
the bottom rear ply L/G plate on the fuselage bottom.
While holding the wire in place, slip the two formed
metal clips onto the wire. Use a pencil to mark the
hole locations of these clips onto the ply base, then
remove the wire and clips. Drill shallow, small-
diameter "guide holes" for the clip's screws. Now
attach the landing gear wire to the fuselage with the
clips and the #2 x 3/8" screws provided—no need to
overtighten. Repeat this process with the forward
landing gear wire.
2. Pull the two components together until they touch.
The two short bent "arms" on the forward leg should
line-up with the legs of the rear L/G wire. If needed,
use pliers to adjust these arms until they fit neatly.
3. Use soft copper wire to neatly wrap the forward short
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