17
❑
4) A 3/8” x 1/2” x 4” balsa stick is provided to keep the fuel tank
in place. Install the balsa stick across the back of the tank, gluing
it to the front of the fuselage former. This will keep the tank from
sliding backwards in flight. If the tank ever has to be removed for
service, you can break the balsa stick loose and get the tank out.
DECAL APPLICATION:
The decals in this kit are made of sticky-back mylar with an
extremely aggressive adhesive. They are NOT water activated
transfers. These decals are not die-cut and need to be cut from
their sheets with a sharp hobby knife or scissors. Trim as close to
the image as possible.
Putting sticky-back decals on a model can be tricky! Especially
medium to large size ones like those in this kit. If you don't do it
right you will end up with unsightly air bubbles trapped underneath
the decal. The best method is to put large decals on “wet”.
You will need a "soapy water" mixture (water mixed with a very
small amount of dish soap, or SIG Pure Magic Model Airplane
Cleaner, or Fantastic
®
, Windex
®
, or 409
®
type cleaners all work
good). You will also need a supple squeegee, (the SIG 4" Epoxy
Spreader #SIGSH678 is perfect for this job), a couple clean soft
cloths (old tee shirts are great), a good straight edge, a ruler, and
a hobby knife with sharp #11 blades. We also suggest that you
have some trim tape handy for making temporary guidelines (1/8"
width or so is perfect) for help in aligning the decals.
First spray the surface of the model where the decal is to be placed
with a soapy water mixture.
Then peel the backing sheet
completely off the decal, being careful not to let the sticky side
double over and adhere to itself. Place the decal onto the wet
surface of the model.
Do not push down! The soapy water
solution will keep the decal from actually sticking to the model until
you have had time to shift it around into exact position. Once you
have it in position, squeegee the excess soapy water out from
under the decal. Mop up the water with a dry cloth. Squeegee
repeatedly to get as much of the water out from under the decal as
possible. After setting overnight, the decal will be solidly adhered
to the surface.
FUEL TANK INSTALLATION
❑
1) Assemble the fuel tank as shown. We recommend that you
plumb your tank with a standard 2 tube setup, with or without the
optional aftermarket fueling valve (see page 11, step 7). One of
the tubes is the “vent” line, through which you will fuel and defuel
the tank. The other tube is the “fuel feed” line to the carburetor.
Note that the rubber stopper for the tank has two holes that go all
the way through it. Use these holes for the aluminum vent and fuel
feed tubes. Use the shortest of the three supplied aluminum tubes
for the fuel feed tube. Use the longest of the aluminum tubes for
the vent tube. Gently bend the vent tube upwards to 90
O
, so it will
be near the top of the tank.
Adjust the length of the internal
silicone fuel tubing to allow free movement of the metal clunk
pick-up inside the tank. Install the stopper assembly into the neck
of the tank and secure by tightening the clamp bolt.
Be sure to label the "vent" and "carb" lines for later identification.
❑
2) Trial fit the tank in place into the front of the fuselage to
familiarize yourself with how it mounts. The front of the tank should
fit through the hole in the firewall. The main body of the tank is
supported by the contoured hole in the fuselage former. Take the
tank back out of the fuselage.
❑
3) Apply a bead of silicon adhesive around the neck of the tank,
where it will contact the inside of the firewall. Put another big blob
of silicone on the front of the tank just below the neck. Slide the
tank in place into the fuselage, pushing it in until the neck goes into
the hole in the firewall. Do not push it all the way up tight against
the firewall. Leave it about 1/8" short. The blob of silicone on the
front of the tank will act as a spacer and cushion between the tank
and the firewall after it dries. It will also keep the tank away from
the ends of the engine mounting bolts that may be protruding
slightly past the back of the firewall.