Top Flite TOPA0405 - Manual (Page 36)

NOTE: The elevator skin goes from the outside of
rib E-1 to the outside of rib E-6. After the top and
bottom skins are applied, a 3/32" balsa cap will be
installed on the face of E-1.
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3. Place the die-cut 1/8" balsa elevator sub
LE on the forward edge of the bottom skin. The
wider end of the sub LE goes on the wider end of
the elevator skin. Do not glue it yet!
❏ ❏
4. Insert the die-cut 1/8" balsa elevator ribs
in the notches of the elevator sub LE. Position the
ribs on the bottom skin aligned with the guides.
The forward edge of the sub LE should be flush
with the forward edge of the bottom skin. Use thin
CA to glue the assembly together.
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5. Cut five 3/4" long pieces from the 3/4" x
3/4" x 30" balsa stick to make hinge point backups.
Glue the backups at the locations shown on the
elevator plan.
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6. Use a razor plane and sanding bar to blend
the sub LE and hinge point backups flush with the
upward facing edge of the ribs. Sand the TE of the
elevator skin to the same angle as the ribs.
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7. Glue a second balsa elevator skin to the
top of the elevator sub LE, ribs, hinge point
backups and bottom elevator skin.
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8. Cut the 1/4" x 3/4" x 30" balsa stick in half
to make two elevator LE’s. Glue the elevator LE
to the front of the sub LE.
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9. Sand the LE flush with the top and bottom
elevator skins. Trim and sand the end of the
elevator skins and LE flush with the outside face of
ribs E-1 and E-6.
❏ ❏
10. Glue a piece of leftover 3/32" balsa to
the face of the E-1 rib.
❏ ❏
11. Glue the shaped 5/8" balsa elevator tip
on the face of the E-6 rib. Use a razor plane and
sanding bar to sand the elevator tip flush with the
top and bottom elevator skins.
❏ ❏
12. Tack glue a piece of leftover 1/32"
plywood and a piece of 1/4" balsa to the root end of
the elevator to make a fillet block. The 1/32" piece
of plywood is used as a spacer. Sand the block so
that it is flush with the LE, TE and elevator skins.
❏ ❏
13. Hold the elevator against the TE of the
stab with the fillet block against the fuse side.
Sand the fillet block so that it fits flush with the fuse
sides. Mark the location where the elevator torque
rod will be inserted into the elevator.
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