Top Flite TOPA0705 - Manual (Page 9)

9
HOW TO SOLDER
1. Use denatured alcohol or other solvent to
thoroughly clean the pushrod. Roughen the end of
the pushrod with coarse sandpaper where it is to
be soldered.
2. Apply a few drops of soldering fl ux to the end of
the pushrod, then use a soldering iron or a torch
to heat it. “Tin” the heated area with silver solder
by applying the solder to the end. The heat of the
pushrod should melt the solder – not the fl ame of
the torch or soldering iron – thus allowing the solder
to fl ow. The end of the wire should be coated with
solder all the way around.
3. Place the clevis on the end of the pushrod. Add
another drop of fl ux, then heat and add solder. The
same as before, the heat of the parts being soldered
should melt the solder, thus allowing it to fl ow. Allow
the joint to cool naturally without disturbing. Avoid
excess blobs, but make certain the joint is thoroughly
soldered. The solder should be shiny, not rough. If
necessary, reheat the joint and allow to cool.
4. Immediately after the solder has solidifi ed, but
while it is still hot, use a cloth to quickly wipe off the
fl ux before it hardens.
Important: After the joint cools,
coat the joint with oil to prevent rust. Note: Do not
use the acid fl ux that comes with silver solder for
electrical soldering.
This is what a properly soldered clevis looks
like – shiny solder with good flow, no blobs and
flux removed.
❏ ❏
14. Once the solder has cooled slide a silicone
clevis keeper over each clevis. Install the pushrod
wire assembly to the aileron servo arm and aileron
control horn.
❏ ❏
15. Use the same procedure for the fl ap servo
except you will not center the servo. Instead, make sure
the fl ap is fully closed to the bottom of the wing. Then,
position the servo arm so that it is rotated toward the
wing trailing edge. Now you can proceed with making
the pushrod wire assembly.
❏
16. Repeat steps 1-15 for the left wing.
You now need to make a decision on the type of
landing gear you will be installing. We provide fi xed
wire landing gear as part of the kit. The retractable
rotating landing gear that is available from Robart
really is a great addition to the looks and the realism of
this airplane. You can choose to install the fi xed landing
gear and upgrade to the Robart landing gear in the
future if you wish to. Both gears are interchangeable
in the mount.
If you will be installing the fi xed wire landing gear,
continue with the next step. If you will be installing the
retractable landing gear, skip ahead to the next section.
“INSTALL THE RETRACTABLE LANDING GEAR”.
Did You Know?… Did You Know?…
The P-40 was a relatively clean design, and was
unusual for its time in having a fully retractable tail
wheel. One hundred and ninety-seven P-40s were
built in 1939-40 for the USAAF, and many more were
sold abroad to Britain and France.
INSTALL THE FIXED WIRE
LANDING GEAR
IMPORTANT! The fi rst step in the installation of the
landing gear is to identify which blocks go into each
wing half. This is the most critical part of the landing
gear installation. If you ever choose to upgrade to the
Robart retractable landing gear, the blocks must be
installed as shown.