Top Flite TOPA0310 - Manual (Page 12)

angle of the LE. Cut two shaped 15" balsa stab LE’s
to match the plan, then glue them centered, as
shown in the sketch, to the fronts of the ribs and the
LE brace.
❏
10. Cut the stab cross-bracing as shown on the
plan from two 3/16" x 3/16" x 36" balsa sticks. Glue
the bracing into position (you may have to
reposition some of your T-pins if they interfere with
the cross-bracing).
❏ 11. Glue together the three die-cut 1/8" balsa stab
tip LE’s to make a stab tip LE . The larger piece is
“sandwiched” between the two smaller pieces. Build
the left stab tip using the stab tip LE you just made,
the die-cut 1/8" balsa
stab tip gussets , the die-cut
3/32" balsa stab rib S7 and an additional 3/16" x
3/16" cross-brace. Trim the TE even with tip rib S7.
❏ 12. Build the right stab tip the same way.
❏ 13. Cut ten 1" long stab hinge blocks from a 1/4"
x 7/16" x 24" balsa stick, then glue them to the stab
TE where shown on the plan. The hinge blocks
should be vertically
centered on the TE.
❏ 14. Sheet the top of the center section across ribs
S1A with a 1/16" x 3" x 24" balsa sheet.
Important: If you are using a large engine, sheet the
entire stab with 1/16" balsa (not included).
❏ 15. Of the 1/16" x 1/4" x 36" balsa sticks supplied
with this kit, select four of the harder sticks. Use two
of the sticks you selected to make the
cap strips
extending from the LE to the TE on ribs S2 to S6 on
both sides of the stab. Glue the cap strips to the top
of the ribs. Carefully and lightly sand the LE and TE,
blending them to the cap strips, but do not round the
LE until instructed to do so.
❏ 16. Remove the stab from your building board.
Save the rib jigs for use on the fin.
❏
17. Use a hobby knife to carefully trim the jig tabs
from the bottom of the stab ribs. Follow up with a bar
sander to make a smooth transition as though the jig
tabs never were there.
Note : If you are sheeting the entire stab, perform
step 19 before step 18.
❏ 18. Sheet the bottom of the center section using
the remainder of the 1/16" sheeting you used for the
top (
aren’t you glad you’ve already cut them?). Make
the cap strips for the bottom of the ribs using the two
remaining harder 1/16" x 1/4" x 36" balsa sticks you
set aside earlier and glue them into position. Sand
the bottom of the stab to blend the LE and TE to the
cap strips and the sheeting.
❏ 19. Drill a 9/64" (or 5/32") hole through both die-
cut 1/8" plywood strut mount plates. Glue a 4-40
blind nut in both plates. Trim the cap strips between
ribs S4 and S5 to accommodate the plates, then glue
them to the bottom of the stab between the ribs as
shown. Fill the space between the aft edge of the
mount plate and the TE with leftover balsa.
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