Top Flite TOPA0310 - Manual (Page 42)

shown in the sketch. Without using glue, fit the other
half of the hinges in the door, then test fit the door to
the fuse. If necessary, sand the fuse or door sheeting
so the fuse and door blend together (it is most likely
that you will have to sand the bottom of the door to
match the fuse were it begins to curve slightly toward
the bottom).
❏ ❏
13. Make a stop for the aft edge of the door so
it can’t be pushed inward, and glue it to former 4.
Now let’s make the door latching mechanism...
Note: As explained earlier, this is one of those areas
where experienced scale modelers may have their
own preferences on how to make mechanisms such
as the door latch. If you decide to develop a method
other than the one shown here, it is a good idea to
make the door latch removable so final sanding and
covering will be easier.
Refer to the door latch detail in the bottom, right-
hand corner of the fuse plan while you make the
door latch.
❏ ❏ 14. Make the guide block from leftover
basswood. Drill a 5/64" (or #48) hole through the block
for the torque rod which will be made from a threaded
pushrod. Glue the guide block to the inside of the door,
then drill the hole through the door.
❏ ❏ 15. Make the torque rod and the door handle
from a .074" x 4" threaded one end rod. Solder the
handle to the torque rod. After the model is finished,
the handle can be shaped with automotive filler or
epoxy to match the full size aircraft.
❏ ❏
16. Thread the torque rod through the
basswood block. The torque rod will fit tightly into the
block, making threads as it goes through. This is
what holds it in and pulls the door to the fuselage.
❏ ❏ 17. Make the latch from leftover 1/16" plywood.
Drill a 1/8" hole through the latch and insert a 2-56
blind nut. Thread the latch onto the torque rod until it
will catch the inside of former 4 and pull the door
closed. Lock the latch to the torque rod with a 2-56 nut.
❏ ❏
18. Make final adjustments to the fit and sizing
of the door to accommodate the thickness of added
covering and paint.
❏ ❏ 19. If you wish to go that extra mile for scale
realism, add door trim made from sheet plastic or
plywood (not included). For illustration, the photo
shows the trim in position, but it may be better to add
the trim after you paint or cover your model.
❏ 20. Return to step one and build the other window
frame and door. If you’re only building one door, just
make the front and rear window frames instead of the
opening door.
Build the landing gear
❏ 1. Use denatured alcohol or other solvent to clean
both prebent aluminum landing gears. Roughen the
landing gear with coarse sandpaper so glue will adhere.
❏ ❏ 2. Cut two 7-3/8" landing gear sub LE’s from
a 1/4" x 1/4" x 36" balsa stick. Test fit the die-cut 1/8"
plywood
landing gear ribs to the gear using one of
the sub LE’s to determine the exact location of the
ribs on the gear.
Note : You will have to finish the die-
cuts where indicated by the arrows in the sketch to
remove the landing gear ribs from their die sheets.
❏ ❏
3. Glue both sub LE’s and the ribs to the gear
with epoxy (CA does not adhere well to aluminum). If
you’re working on the second gear, don’t forget to
make a right and a left!
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