Top Flite TOPA0400 - Manual (Page 49)

RETRACT INSTALLATION
❏
1. Enlarge the retract opening in the bottom wing
skin and mount the retracts on the retract rails.
❏
2. Gradually increase the size of the cut-out
until the retract operates properly. Position the
1/16" die-cut plywood retract hatch and the 1/8"
die-cut plywood main gear door on the bottom
wing skin. Note that the radius at the bottom of the
gear door must be sanded off. Trace around the
cover and door.
❏
3. Mount the retract cover to the R-4 and R-5
ribs with #2 x 3/8" flat head screws following the
same procedure used when mounting the aileron
and flap hatches. A piece of leftover plywood will
need to be glued to rib R-4 for the forward screw
on the retract hatch.
❏
4. You may make wheel well liners from vertical
grain 1/16" balsa, 1/64" plywood or a number of
other methods – or, you may leave your wheel
wells open.
NOTE: Fuelproof the wheel wells. Die-cut 1/8"
plywood main gear doors are provided in the kit if
you prefer to install them.
❏
5. Install the 1-3/4" tailwheel (not included) on
the retractable tail gear (not included). Move the
retractable tail gear through its full range of motion
to check for any binding or interference.
❏
6. Sand the bottom of the aft fuselage sides
flush with formers F-10 and F-11.
❏
7. The aft fuse bottom is covered with leftover
1/4" balsa sheet from the radiator corners. We
found that using two pieces of balsa, one in front of
the retract and one behind it, works best. Use
smaller pieces along the sides of the retract. Make
sure to leave enough room to remove the retract
and for the tailwheel to move through its full range
of motion, even if it‘s turned slightly. Glue the
sheeting in place when satisfied with the fit.
❏
8. Use the aft fuse cross sections as a guide for
the proper shape of the aft fuse bottom and radiator.
The aft fuse bottom should be shaped with the
rudder taped in place and the wing installed.
❏
9. Install the retract servo on the servo rails in
front of former F-5. The air control valve can be
mounted on the fourth die-cut 1/8" plywood valve
mount and attached to the front of former F-5.
❏
10. The retract air tank fits in the built-in cradle
in formers F-8 and TT and can be secured with
double-sided tape or silicone sealant.
FINISHING
SURFACE PREPARATION
❏
1. Make a fillet along the joint between the fin
and stab and on the bottom of the stab between
the stab and fuse sides as follows: Attach a piece
of masking tape on top of the stab approximately
1/4" from the fin. Apply another piece of tape on
the fin approximately 1/4" above the stab. Mix an
even amount of 30-minute epoxy and milled
fiberglass and apply it to the joint between the fin
and stab. Cover your hand with a plastic glove and
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