Top Flite TOPA0405 - Manual (Page 49)

NOTE: Fuelproof the wheel wells. Die-cut 1/8"
plywood main gear doors are provided in the kit if
you prefer to install them.
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5. Install the 1-3/4" tailwheel (not included) on
the retractable tail gear (not included). Move the
retractable tail gear through its full range of motion
to check for any binding or interference.
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6. Sand the bottom of the aft fuselage sides
flush with formers F-10 and F-11.
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7. The aft fuse bottom is covered with leftover
1/4" balsa sheet from the radiator corners. We
found that using two pieces of balsa, one in front of
the retract and one behind it, works best. Use
smaller pieces along the sides of the retract. Make
sure to leave enough room to remove the retract
and for the tailwheel to move through its full range
of motion, even if it‘s turned slightly. Glue the
sheeting in place when satisfied with the fit.
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8. Use the aft fuse cross-sections as a guide for
the proper shape of the aft fuse bottom and radiator.
The aft fuse bottom should be shaped with the
rudder taped in place and the wing installed.
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9. Install the retract servo on the servo rails in
front of former F-5. The air control valve can be
mounted on the fourth die-cut 1/8" plywood valve
mount and attached to the front of former F-5.
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10. The retract air tank fits in the built-in cradle
in formers F-8 and TT and can be secured with
double-sided tape or silicone sealant.
FINISHING
SCALE DETAILS
NOTE: Some modelers prefer to finish these
details after the model is covered but, it may be
easier to do most of them now.
Canopy
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1. Use scissors to trim the canopy along the frame
and the molded-in cutlines as shown on the plan
and in the photo at step 3. True the edges with a
bar sander following with progressively finer
grades of sandpaper.
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2. Test fit the canopy to the fuse. Trim the canopy
or sand the fuse as necessary for a good fit.
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3. When you are ready to paint the canopy
frame, wash the canopy in warm, soapy water
then, rinse and dry thoroughly. Study the photos
on the kit box cover showing the canopy. Mask off
the windows by covering them with masking tape.
Using the frame as a guide, press the tape around
the edges of the window with a pencil as you
simultaneously draw a guide line. Carefully trim the
excess tape along the guide line with a sharp #11
blade.
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4. Paint the canopy frame. Straight out of the
spray can, Top Flite LustreKote is not recommended
for painting your canopy and may eventually make
it curl. If you have an airbrush, it is possible to
paint your canopy with LustreKote, however, you
must use the following procedure. Spray an ounce
or two of LustreKote through a tube (such as a
large drinking straw or a brass tube) into a
container. Let it sit for about an hour or two to
allow the damaging elements to “boil off.” Using an
air brush, you may now spray your canopy with
your specially prepared LustreKote. For airbrushing,
we recommend thinning LustreKote with lacquer
thinner. If you prefer to paint your canopy frame
directly from a spray can, we have had success
with Pactra Formula-U and Chevron paint. Always
test your painting methods on leftover plastic
before you try it on your model!
Antenna
Make an antenna holder from leftover balsa as
shown on the fuse plan. Cut a slot in the top of the
canopy to accommodate the die-cut 1/16" ply
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