Top Flite Metrick - Manual (Page 3)

FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY
1. Remove die-cut fuselage parts; F-1, F-2 (ply) and
F-3—do this carefully and, as mentioned earlier, use
an X-acto knife to expedite this. Start construction,
by gluing (we used contact cement) the F-2 fuselage
doublers to the F-1 fuselage sides. Do this as accu-
rately as possible, lining-up slots and holes for the
wing mating points and making sure these doublers
are flush with the top edges of the fuselage sides—
MAKE A LEFT AND RIGHT FUSELAGE SIDE.
2. Glue the 1/16" balsa F-3 doublers in place onto the
F-2's, again lining-up the slots and holes and making
sure the top fuselage side edges—allow to dry.
3. Using the 1/8" x 1/4" x 36" balsa stock supplied, glue the
bottom fuselage longerons in place, starting at the
front of the F-2 doubler, pinning and gluing as you
work aft. Note that you will need to add an additional
1-1/4" of this longeron stock at the rear to complete to
full-length bottom longeron.
4. Cut and glue the top rear 1/8" x 1/4" balsa longerons in
place. Note that this longeron extends from the back
of the F-9 former position to the leading edge of the
fin location where it is cut on an angle to match the
fin.
5. Using a sharp pencil and a straightedge, mark the
locations of all fuselage formers; F-4, F-5, F-6, F-7, F-8
and F-9, including the location of the rear 1/8" x 1/4"
fuselage uprights, behind former F-9—mark these
locations on the right fuselage side. Holding the left
fuselage side to the right, so that they are accurately
matched, transfer the former locations to the left
fuselage side.
6. Now accurately glue the 1/16" x 1/4" balsa "former
locators" in place on each side of the former F-4, F-5,
F-6 and F-9 locations. Use a scrap piece of 1/8" wood to
simulate the thickness of these formers, ensuring an
accurate slot and therefore a good fit.
7. Note the 1/8" x 1/4" balsa "nyrod spacer" at the rear of
the fuselage, directly below the leading edge of the
fin. Cut and glue one of these to each fuselage side.
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