Top Flite TOPA0101 - Manual (Page 39)

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3. Paint the interior of the cockpit. An alternative
to paint is to cover the inside of the cockpit with a
fine grit black sandpaper for a textured finish. If you
use the sandpaper technique, it is still advisable to
paint the cockpit corners dark first.
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4. Paint the frame of the canopy. This can be
done from the inside or the outside. For best results,
use Hobbico
® Master Mask ™ (HCAR3410) to mask
the frame before painting.
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5. Install the instrument panel decal . It can be
applied directly to the existing panel. Hint: For best
results, stick the decal to a leftover piece of 1/64"
to 1/16" plywood, trim it to shape, and then glue it
in place.
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6. Glue the canopy to the model. We used
6-minute epoxy on the prototype. For best results,
remove a small strip of covering from under the
frame for good glue adhesion. Use masking tape to
hold the canopy in place while the glue sets.
RETRACT NOTES
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1. Determining when to cut out the wheel wells
depends on the finishing method you use. If you
glass and paint the model, you will probably want
to cut out the wheel wells after the wing is glassed,
but before priming. If you use a MonoKote finish,
cut out the wheel wells and “hook up” the retracts
before covering.
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2. When cutting out openings, start with a small
hole in the center of the cutout area and gradually
expand the opening.
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3. The wheel well lining technique you use is up
to you. The prototypes did not use a conventional
liner. The wells were cut out almost to their final
extents, then 1/16" balsa sheet leftover was glued
to the inside of the bottom skin around the
perimeter of the well. The well was then final
shaped to accept the tire. If you use open wells, be
sure to fuel/water proof as much of the internal
structure as you can.
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4. The Top Flite Corsair is designed to work
with the Robart ninety degree rotating retracts
(ROBQ1815). Century Jet Models ninety degree
rotating retracts (CJMQ3055) are specifically made
for this model and will work equally as well. The
Century Jet retracts include functional struts as
part of a complete kit.
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5. Die-cut 1/8" parts are supplied in sheet
CRS6F05 to make an air valve tray. This assembly
can be placed in various locations for C.G.
corrections. It was placed in the cavity forward of
the servos on the prototypes. Be sure the servo
does not put side loads on the valve. This may
cause it to leak.
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6. The air tank was securely taped to the
elevator and rudder pushrods in the prototype.
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7. Air line routing is straightforward in the
Corsair. Pass the lines through the holes in the
formers. A “T” can be placed at the center of the
wing to avoid the need for double sets of
connectors. If you do this, seal off one side of the
valve fittings with a short length of air line and a
plug made from music wire.
NOTE: Robart Robostruts were used on the
prototypes. These add to the appearance of the
Corsair and smooth out good to moderate landings.
They cannot, however, absorb the huge amount of
energy that wire struts can. For example, a fast or
high sink rate landing on rough grass will put a huge
backwards bending force on the gear. Wire struts
will handle this well; Robostruts are not designed to
cope with this situation. The prototype Corsairs were
flown off of pavement and grass through good to
moderate landings while equipped with Robostruts
with no failures.
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