Top Flite TOPA0140 - Manual (Page 56)

The second method for applying panel lines is to
use a Top Flite Smart Stripe
™ to cut narrow strips
of MonoKote film. Iron the panel lines in position.
Black or Charcoal MonoKote film is recommended.
DECALS
❏
1. Study the plans and the photos on the box to
decide where to place the decals.
❏
2. Thoroughly clean your airplane before
applying decals.
❏
3. Trim the decals as close as practical and
carefully apply them to your model. 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 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 4-1/8”
(104.7mm) back from the leading edge at the
wing root as shown in the sketch 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 1/4”
[6.4mm] forward or 9/32” [7.1mm] back to change
the flying characteristics. If you move the balance
point forward it may improve the smoothness and
tracking, but your Spitfire 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 Spitfire 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.
❏
2. Temporarily place your receiver and battery
pack inside the fuselage where you plan to mount
them. This is so you can change their location if
necessary to arrive at the correct C.G. without
adding any additional nose or tail weight. All other
components should be in the model and it should
be in a ready-to-fly condition, but with an empty
fuel tank.
❏
3. With the wing attached to the fuselage, the
landing gear retracted (if you have retracts) and an
empty fuel tank, lift the model at the balance point.
We use the Great Planes C.G. Machine
™ (shown
in the sketch). If the tail drops, the model is tail
heavy and you must shift your battery pack or
other components forward or add weight to the
nose. If the nose drops, it is nose heavy and you
must shift your battery pack or other components
aft or add weight to the tail. In order to save
weight, relocate your battery pack and/or receiver
or other components before you add additional
weight to arrive at the correct C.G. You may install
nose weight by using a spinner weight or gluing
lead weights to the firewall. You may add tail
weight by sticking Great Planes (GPMQ4485)
stick-on lead weights on the bottom of the fuselage
under the tail. Later, if the balance proves to be
OK, you can open the fuse bottom and glue these
permanently in position. We don’t recommend
sticking weights to the cowl because it is not
designed to support weight.
FINAL HOOKUPS AND CHECKS
❏
1. Mount the main landing gear wires in the
wing with the nylon landing gear straps and #2 x
1/2" [12.7mm] screws included with this kit. Mount
Perform this step only if you have not
installed retracts.
How to mark the balance point.
The balance point is measured from the center
leading edge. Mark the balance point outward a
few inches so you can see where to lift the wing
when it’s bolted to the fuse. To do this, mark the
balance point with a felt tip pen or tape on both
ends of the center section. Place a straightedge
across the marks. Mark the balance point along
the straightedge further out on the wing. Mount
the wing to the fuselage.
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