Top Flite TOPA0905 - Manual (Page 7)

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PREPARATIONS
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1. If you have not done so already, remove the
major parts of the kit from the box and inspect for
damage. If any parts are damaged or missing, contact
Product Support at the address or telephone number
listed in the “Kit Contents” section on page 6.
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2. Remove the tape and separate the ailerons and
flaps from the wing and the elevators from the stab.
Use a covering iron with a covering sock on high heat
to tighten the covering if necessary. Apply pressure
over sheeted areas to thoroughly bond the covering
to the wood.
BUILD THE WING
Install the Flaps/Ailerons
Do the bottom right wing first so your work
matches the photos the first time through.
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1. Drill a 3/32" [2mm] hole, 1/2" [13mm] deep
in the center of each hinge slot to allow the CA to “wick”
in. Follow-up with a #11 blade to clean out the slots.
Hint: If you have one, use a high-speed rotary tool to
drill the holes.
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2. Use a sharp #11 blade to cut a strip of
covering from the hinge slots in the wing and aileron.
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3. Cut sixteen 1" x 1"
[25mm x 25mm] hinges from a
CA hinge strip. Snip off the
corners so they go in easier.
Note: The following steps refer to the installation of the
flaps/ailerons. The bottom wing of the Staggerwing
has flaps. The top wing has ailerons. If you look at the
location of the hinge slots of each you will see the
flaps are hinged off the centerline of the flap and the
aileron is hinged on the centerline.
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4. Test fit the flap/aileron to the wing with
the hinges. If the hinges don’t remain centered, stick a
pin through the middle of the hinge to hold it in position.
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5. Remove any pins you may have inserted
into the hinges. Adjust the flap / aileron so there is a
small gap between the LE of the aileron and the wing.
The gap should be small, just enough to see light
through or to slip a piece of paper through.
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6. Apply six drops of thin CA to the top and
bottom of each hinge. Do not use CA accelerator.
After the CA has fully hardened, test the hinges by
pulling on the aileron.
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7. Repeat steps 1- 6 for the left wing panel and the
two wing panels for the top wing.