Mountain Models Flashback
47
Installing the Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator
First, you are going to install the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. You’re one step
closer to completed tail feathers…
Removing the Covering from the Horizontal Stabilizer
You need to remove some of the covering on the horizontal stabilizer so that you can
securely attach the fuselage.
!
Removing the covering
1.
Position the horizontal stabilizer into the larger rear slot in the fuselage. Make sure
that it’s centered by measuring the distance from the outermost point of the horizontal
stabilizer trailing edge to the rear of the fuselage on both sides; the numbers should
match.
2.
Mark a line on the horizontal stabilizer to show where it touches the fuselage on both
the top and bottom.
3.
GENTLY cut and remove the covering from between the marks. Be EXTREMELY
careful that you are only cutting the covering and not the wood when you’re doing
this, since scored wood is weak wood.
Attaching the Elevator and the Horizontal Stabilizer
1.
Insert the elevator through the larger slot at the back of the fuselage, making sure
that the control horn is on the right side when looking at the plane from the rear. You
have to attach the elevator before the horizontal stabilizer or you will NEVER be able
to fit it into position.
There is a bit of a trick to getting the elevator through the slot. You will need
to flip the elevator upside down so that the trailing edge is facing forward,
and then holding the piece perpendicular to the fuselage insert one side into
the slot. Once in place, rotate the elevator so that it’s right side up.
2.
Slide the horizontal stabilizer into place using the same slot as the elevator, making
sure that it is forward of the elevator, and that it is perfectly centered and square to
the centerline of the fuselage.
You can check that the horizontal stabilizer is perfectly centered by measuring
the distance from the outermost point of the horizontal stabilizer trailing edge
to the rear of the fuselage on both sides; the numbers should match.