Top-flite TOPA0135 User Manual download pdf (Page 21)

FINAL STEPS BEFORE FRAMING

THE LOWER FUSE

❏ 1. Turn the fuselage over and reinforce all glue

joints that don’t look strong or that you couldn’t

reach before. Do not glue the tank roof to the

upper crutches forward of F-1 until told to do

so. Add a fillet of 30-minute epoxy inside the

fuselage where the stab meets the plywood

saddle. Hint:

An inexpensive Robart

Super Stand

works well to support the fuse and because it’s

made of Styrofoam

and can be modified to

conform to the fuse shape.

❏ 2. Use model filler (Hobbico

HobbyLite

balsa-

colored filler recommended) to begin blending the

top deck with the stab and fin. Apply in thin layers

allowing each layer to dry thoroughly before the

next application.

Perform steps 3 & 4 only if installing the optional

scale interior kit.

❏ 3. If you are going to install the Top Flite Scale

Cockpit, remove the cockpit deck in the cockpit

area. Measure 2-3/16" from both sides of the joint

in the cockpit deck halves along the instrument

panel (IP) and the cockpit back (CBX).

❏ 4. Cut out the cockpit deck close to IP and CB

(CBX for Bubble Canopy) and along the lines

2-3/16" from the center. Sand the cockpit deck

flush with the cockpit back and instrument panel.

The top portion of F-4 will be removed later.

❏ 5. Apply masking tape to the bottom of the Stab

and also the Fuse Side about 3/16" on either side

of the joint. Mix a little 30-minute epoxy, then

squeeze it into the Stab/Fuse joint. Remove the

tape before the epoxy cures and feather the

excess with your finger.

❏ 6. Once the epoxy has cured, apply more

masking tape about 1/4" out from the joint, then

use model filler to create a neat fillet along the

length of the joint. Once again, remove the tape

before the filler dries and feather the edges with

your finger to avoid excessive sanding.

❏ 7. NOTE: Protect the stab and fin skins with

masking tape around where you will be

sanding to avoid the possibility of dangerously

thinning the skins. Lightly sand the first layer of

filler around the Stab and the Top Deck, then

apply a second coat. When the filler is dry use

different thickness dowels wrapped with 220-grit

sandpaper to shape the fillet.

Take your time to

blend all contours with the Fuse.

FRAME THE FUSE BOTTOM

❏ 1. Drill 3/16" holes through the punch marks in

formers 4-B and 5-B.

❏ 2. Test fit the die-cut 1/8" ply Left and Right

Lower Crutches to the formers in the fuselage

then add the die-cut 1/8" formers 2-B, both 3-B’s,

4-B and 5-B without gluing any parts. Make sure

all the formers fit into the notches in the crutches

and make sure the lower formers fit into the upper

formers. Make adjustments if necessary.

❏ 3. Test fit 1-B and TF to the crutch in the

fuselage. Make sure 1-B fits well into former F-1.

Make adjustments if necessary.

❏ 4. After any required adjustments have been

made, use a straightedge to keep each lower

former parallel to each upper former, then glue

them together. Double check that F-1B is

parallel to F-1. Glue the crutches to the lower

formers. Glue the tank floor to the crutches and

formers. NOTE: Do not glue the tank floor to the

crutches forward of F-1B at this time.

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Top-flite TOPA0135 User Manual Page 21

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