
.
67.
a.
Glue the 1/4"x1"x4-3/16" stab tips to the pre-cut 1/4" balsa stabilizer, and
allow to dry. Sig Bond is recommended for this step because it sands
easily.
b.
Use the plans to help align the elevators on the back edge of the stabilizer,
then tape them together. Holding the die-cut Lite-Ply stab tip template
(STT) in place, cut the curved tip of the stabilizer and elevator with a sharp
modeling knife. Repeat for the other tip.
68.
With the elevators still taped to the stabilizer, use a sanding block to round off the stab leading edges, stab tips, and
elevator tips. Notice that the short length at the front of the stab should be left flat to fit against the back of F-6.
69.
a.
Sand the top front corner of the pre-cut 3/16" balsa fin to match the curve shown on the plan.
b.
Sand the fin leading edge round.
c. Sand the trailing edge and bottom edge of the pre-cut 3/16" rudder round.
d.
Draw a hinge line centered on the leading edge of the rudder. Bevel the rudder leading edge using the hinge line as
a guide.
70.
The top of the fin or rudder may need sanding so that they line-up when installed.
Temporarily pin or tape the stabilizer and fin on the back of the fuselage, then
tape the rudder to the fin so that its bottom edge is aligned with the fuselage
bottom. Remove the fin and rudder (which are still taped together) and sand the
top edges until they match.
NOTE: If you are building the optional tail dragger version of the MID-STAR 40
proceed with step 71. Otherwise, skip step 71 and proceed to "Installing Easy
Hinges".
71.
a.
Notch and drill the bottom of the rudder to accept the tailwheel wire.
b.
Sand and wipe the tailwheel wire clean, then install it (without glue) on the
rudder. Apply thin CA first (to penetrate) and follow up with slow CA to
completely fill around the wire.
c. Reinforce the tailwheel area with a 1-1/2" long piece of fiberglass tape
wrapped around the bottom of the rudder. Use thin CA to completely
saturate the tape and surrounding wood. A second coat of thin CA will help
fill the weave of the fiberglass.
NOTE: Epoxy may be used in this step, but CA is faster and penetrates the entire tailwheel area, making it rock hard.