Top Flite TOPA0155 - Manual (Page 12)

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5. Use a bar sander with 80-grit sandpaper to
sand the front the fin ribs at an angle for the sub LE.
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6. Cut the 1/16" x 1/2" x 30" [1.6 x 12.7 x 762mm]
balsa sub LE to the correct length, then glue it to the
front of the fin ribs. Save the remainder for the stab
sub LE’s. Sand the upward facing edge of the sub LE
even with the tops of the ribs.
Refer to this photo for the following two steps.
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7. Remove any T-pins that will interfere with the fin
and rudder skins or that will be concealed beneath
the skins after they are glued in place. Using the fin
assembly as a guide, make a fin skin for the left side
of the fin from one of the balsa sheets you prepared
earlier. Be certain to make the skin slightly oversized
as it will be trimmed to exact shape later. Glue the
skin into position with thick CA or aliphatic resin.
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8. Make a rudder skin the same way. Glue the
rudder skin into position. Hint: Pin a large balsa stick
to the building board aligned with the location of the
rudder TE on the plan. This will insure accurate
positioning of the skin.
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9. Remove the assembly from the building board.
Sand the right side of the fin so the sub LE and spars
are even with the ribs.
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10. Use the second balsa sheet you prepared to
make another fin and rudder skin. Place the sheeted
side of the fin/rudder assembly on the building
board. Glue the remaining fin skin only to the right
side of the fin.
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11. Place the fin on your workbench or a platform
so the TE of the rudder is even with the edge.
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12. Use a bar sander with 80-grit sandpaper to
sand the TE of the rudder to a fine point as shown in
the cross-section of the plan.
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