Top Flite TOPA0155 - Manual (Page 14)

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3. Sand the bottom of the rudder sheeting even
with the bottom rudder rib.
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4. Trace the die-cut 1/16" [1.6mm] balsa rudder
base core (RBC) onto one end of the 3/8" x 3" x 30"
[9.5 x 76 x 762mm] balsa sheet two times as shown.
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5. Cut both pieces from the 3/8" [9.5mm] balsa
sheet and glue one on each side of the base core.
Glue the assembly to the bottom of the rudder.
Shape the rudder base to match the rudder, but do
not round until instructed to do so (after the fuse has
been constructed).
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6. Cut the fin TE and the rudder LE from a 1/4"
x 3/4" x 30" [6.4 x 19.1 x 762mm] balsa stick and
glue them to the fin and rudder. Sand the fin TE even
with the fin and sand the rudder LE even with the
rudder. Temporarily tack-glue the rudder to the fin
with about five small drops of medium CA.
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7. Final-sand the fin TE and rudder LE and the fin
and rudder tip even with each other. Break the
rudder free from the fin.
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8. Mark a centerline on the trailing edge of the fin.
This can most accurately be done by sticking two
T-pins in the center of the TE–one near each end.
Position a straightedge against the T-pins and draw a
line with a ballpoint pen. Mark a centerline on the LE
of the rudder the same way.
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9. Cut four 3/4" x 1" [19 x 25mm] hinges from the
2" x 9" [51 x 230mm] CA hinge strip supplied with
this kit. Snip the corners off so they go in easier.
❏
10. Using the centerlines as a guide, cut the hinge
slots where shown on the plan with a Great Planes
Slot Machine, then proceed to step 11. If you do not
have a Slot Machine, follow the procedure that
follows to cut hinge slots with a hobby knife and a
#11 blade
(or run to the hobby shop and buy a
Slot Machine!).
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