into the balsa beneath. Cutting too deep will weaken the
structure, possibly causing the stab to break during flight.
❏
8. Peel the covering from the stab. Use one of your paper
towel squares lightly moistened with denatured alcohol to wipe
the ink from the stab and the fuselage.
❏
9. Mix 1/4 oz. of 30-minute epoxy. Apply epoxy to both sides
of the stab where it contacts the fuselage and in the fuselage
where it contacts the stab. Slide the stab into position and
center-it-up as you did with the pin and by taking
measurements as in steps 3 & 5. Wipe away excess epoxy. Do
not disturb the fuselage until the epoxy has hardened.
❏
10. Test fit the fin in the fuselage. Similar to what was done
for the stab, mark the outline of the fin onto the top of the
fuselage, then cut away the covering and wipe away the ink.
❏
11. Glue the fin into the fuselage with 30-minute epoxy. Be
certain to apply epoxy to both the fin and the fuselage where
they contact each other. Immediately after inserting the fin and
before the epoxy hardens, use a builder’s triangle to make
certain the fin is perpendicular to the stab. If it is not, use
masking tape to pull the fin to one side or the other to get it
vertical.
Mount the Engine and Radio Tray
❏
1. Mount the engine to the mount with two metal straps, four
4 x 25mm screws and 4mm lock washers and 4mm nuts. Be
certain the engine is pointing straight ahead, and is not slanted
off to one side or the other. Note that the lock washers go under
the heads of the screws. Be certain the engine is centered and
that the screws are evenly tightened. Do not use a small, hobby
screwdriver to tighten the screws. A large (No. 2) Phillips
screwdriver is preferred.
An alternate way to cut the covering over the stabilizer is to
use a soldering iron. This way, you will not risk accidentally
cutting into the balsa. A fine soldering tip is not necessary,
but does work best. Using a metal straightedge as a guide,
move the soldering iron just fast enough to melt through the
covering. Be careful not to burn the wood, otherwise you will
have defeated the purpose of using a soldering iron to cut
only the covering.
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