Top Flite TOPA0155 - Manual (Page 36)

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3. Pin the die-cut 1/8" [3.2mm] plywood aft
fuselage top (AFT) over its location on the plan.
Connect the aft fuse top to the mid fuse top by gluing
in two balsa fuse top crutches cut from two 1/8" x
1/2" x 24" [3.2 x 12.7 x 610mm] balsa sticks.
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4. Glue a die-cut 1/8" [3.2mm] plywood fuse side
doubler (FSD) to a die-cut 1/8" [3.2mm] plywood fuse
side (FS). Glue the other fuse side doubler to the other
fuse side. Be certain to make a right and a left.
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5. Glue the 1/8" x 3-15/16" x 4-1/16" [3.2 x 100 x
103.2mm] birch plywood firewall doubler to the
back of the die-cut 1/8" [3.2mm] plywood firewall
F1. From now on this assembly will be referred to as
the firewall.
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6. Refer to the sketch. Drill four 7/32" [5.6mm]
holes through the punchmarks in the firewall for the
engine mounting configuration selected (
inverted for
four-stroke or slanted for two-stroke). Note: If using
an engine mount other than the one supplied with
this kit, or if mounting the engine in a position other
than the two options provided, draw the centerline
connecting the outer punchmarks nearest the four
sides of the firewall. This indicates the engine
centerline, which is offset to account for engine side
and down thrust. Center the engine mount over the
intersection of the lines.
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7. Use a hammer to tap four 8-32 blind nuts into
the back of the firewall in the holes you drilled. Using
care not to get any glue into the threads, glue each
blind nut to the back of the firewall with a few drops
of CA.
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8. Without using any glue, join the die-cut 1/8"
[3.2mm] plywood formers F2-B, F3-B, F5-D, F6-B,
F7-B and F8-B to the fuse sides. Everything should
“key” into place so it should be clear how it all fits
together. (The fuse side doublers go on the inside.)
Note: Some of the formers in the photos may appear
to be slightly different than the formers in your kit.
This is because the formers in the kit have been
slightly modified for increased rigidity.
Skip the following step if not yet certain of the
engine you will be using and the engine mount
position. The holes for the engine mount blind
nuts may be drilled after the firewall is glued into
position, but will have to be drilled before
mounting the cowl.
There are two engine mount positions illustrated
in this manual. The inverted position is
recommended for four-strokes so the exhaust will
come out of the cowl near the bottom of the fuse.
The slanted position is recommended for two-
strokes so the optional Top Flite exhaust header
will align with the optional Top Flite in-cowl
muffler. If you prefer otherwise, the engine may
be mounted in any position as long as it is in
alignment with the engine centerline on the
engine mount.
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