Top Flite TOPA0405 - Manual (Page 13)

❏
4. Align the rudder plate over the plan and mark
the “rib” locations on both sides of the rudder plate.
(See the photo in step 5.)
❏
5. Glue the rudder plate, centered, on the
rudder LE. Make sure the rudder plate is
perpendicular to the rudder LE.
❏
6. Glue the two shaped 1/2" balsa rudder tips
and the two shaped 3/4" balsa rudder bases to
both sides of the rudder plate.
❏
7. Cut “ribs” from the 1/8" x 5/8" x 30" balsa
sticks. Glue the ribs to the rudder at the previously
marked rib locations.
❏
8. Refer to the photos and the cross-section on
the plan to obtain the shape of the rudder. Use a
razor plane and sanding bar to “rough in” the
shape of the rudder. Final shaping will be done
after the rudder is attached to the fuse. Tape the
rudder to the fin and shape the rudder and fin tips.
❏
9. From the 3/4" x 3/4" x 30" balsa stick, cut
3/4" long hinge point backups. Glue the backups in
position as shown on the plan and sand them flush
with the ribs.
❏
10. If you want to modify the rudder for the
scale balance tab, now is the time to add the
appropriate structure. We made our balance tab
from leftover 3/32" balsa sheeting and leftover 1/8"
balsa from the die sheets.
BUILD THE WING
NOTE: The wing panels are built “upside-down”
on the plan. The jig tabs are attached to what is, in
the end, the top of the wing.
IMPORTANT: Since it is standard to show the
top of the wing on the plan and the wing panels
are built upside-down, the left wing panel is built
over the right wing top view and vice-versa. This
does not present any problems. Just be sure to
build a left and right wing panel.
BUILD THE MAIN STRUCTURE
❏ ❏
1. Place the wing plan on your building
surface and cover it with wax paper or Plan
Protector.
❏ ❏
2. Hold the 3/8" x 1/2" x 42" basswood spars
over the wing plan. Cut the spars about 1/2" longer
than required.
- 13 -