Top Flite TOPA0400 - Manual (Page 53)

ATTACH THE CANOPY
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1. Before permanently installing the canopy,
securely glue your pilot in place on the cockpit floor,
if a full cockpit will not be installed. For the most
security, in addition to glue, screw the base of the
pilot to the cockpit floor with a #4 sheet metal screw
(not included) from the underside of the cockpit
floor. If you are installing a full cockpit kit, now is the
time to install it. Follow the installation instructions
included with the cockpit kit.
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2. Place the canopy on the fuselage in the
location shown on the plan. Temporarily hold it in
position with tape or rubber bands.
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3. Use a felt-tip pen to accurately trace the
canopy outline onto the MonoKote film covering.
Remove the canopy.
❏
4. Without cutting into the balsa, use a sharp
hobby knife to carefully cut and remove a strip of
covering 1/16" wide, approximately 1/32" inside of
the line you made. Wipe away the line with a paper
towel dampened with alcohol.
❏
5. Reposition the canopy on the fuse and
confirm that it covers the exposed wood. Glue the
canopy to the fuse with a glue formulated for
gluing on canopies such as Pacer “Formula 560”
canopy glue. Hold the canopy in place with
masking tape or rubber bands while the glue dries.
NOTE: For added security, you may want to
consider adding some small screws.
SET THE CONTROL THROWS
The throws are measured at the widest part of the
elevators, rudder, ailerons and flaps. Adjust the
position of the pushrods at the servo horns to
control the amount of throw. You may also use
the ATV’s if your transmitter has them. Set the
mechanical linkages so the ATV’s are near 100%
for the best servo resolution (smoothest, most
proportional movement).
Note: If your radio does not have dual rates, set
the control surfaces to move between the high rate
and low rate throws.
Note: The balance and control throws for the Giant
P-51D have been extensively tested. This chart
indicates the settings at which the P-51 flies best.
Please set up your model to the specifications
listed above. If, after you become comfortable with
your P-51, you would like to adjust the throws to
suit your tastes, that’s fine. Too much throw can
force the plane into a stall or snap roll, so
remember, “more is not always better.”
We recommend the following control surface
throws:
High rate Low rate
Elevator 9/16" up 3/8" up
9/16" down 3/8" down
Rudder 1-1/2" left 1" left
1-1/2" right 1" right
Ailerons 3/4" up 1/2" up
5/8" down 3/8" down
Flap
Positions
7/8" and 2-1/8" down
We added about 20% exponential to the
elevator. This reduces the sensitivity of the
elevator at the neutral position.
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