6
Required Parts
• Elevator (left and right) • Fuselage
• Rudder
• Hinges (17)
• Wing panel (right and left)
• Aileron (left and right)
• Stabilizer (left and right)
Required Tools and Adhesives
• 30-minute epoxy
• Syringe
• Sandpaper (coarse)
• Toothpicks
• Pacer Hinge Glue (PT-55)
• Razor saw
• Petroleum jelly
Properly hinging the control surfaces on giant-scale
models is vitally important. Poorly installed hinges
affect the model’s precision and control response
and can also be dangerous. Each and every hinge
needs to be securely bonded in place in both the
flying surface and the control surface. The hinge pivot
points need to be exactly parallel to each other and
precisely located on the center of the hinge line.
Step 1
Sand each end of the hinge point hinge using coarse
sandpaper. This will improve the bond of the epoxy
to the hinge. Apply a thin coat of Petroleum jelly to
the hinge point to prevent the epoxy from gluing the
hinge surface.
Step 2
Mix 1 ounce of 30-minute epoxy. Using a glue
syringe or toothpick, place a sufficient amount of
30-minute epoxy into one of the hinge pockets in
the aileron leading edge only. Install one of the
hinge points until the hinge pin center is flush with
the leading edge of the aileron. Some epoxy should
ooze out of the pocket as the hinge is installed. If
not, remove the hinge and apply more epoxy. After
gluing a few hinges, you’ll get the hang of just how
much epoxy is needed. Wipe away any excess epoxy
with rubbing alcohol. Recheck that the center of the
hinge pin is flush and parallel with the leading edge.
Continue installing hinges in the leading edge of
the aileron. The control surfaces (ailerons) will be
installed after the epoxy is fully cured.
Note
: Be sure that the hinge pivot pins are
parallel and flush to the aileron leading edge.
It’s important to frequently mix a fresh batch
of 30-minute epoxy in order to achieve good
glue joint penetration. If you notice the epoxy
becoming thicker, then mix a new batch.
Hint
: You can also use Pacer PT-55
Hinge Glue to glue the hinges. Follow the
instructions here as well as on the glue bottle
to achieve the best results.
Section 1 – Hinging the Control Surfaces