Empennage
The empennage consists of the horizontal
stabilizer, elevator, vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Assemble parts required for each component of
the empennage over top of your plan set. Dry fit
components together then bond all parts while
holding assembly flat against your work table.
1. Fit and bond the vertical stabilizer from 3/32
in. balsa parts V1, V2, V3 and V4.
2. Fit and bond the rudder from 3/32 in. balsa
parts R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5.
3. Fit and bond the horizontal stabilizer from
3/32 in. balsa parts H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5.
4. Fit and bond one elevator half from 3/32 in.
balsa parts E1, E2, E3, and E4. Repeat for
second elevator halve.
5. Align leading edge (hinge line) of elevator
parts against a straight edge or ruler. Use
medium CA glue to bond 3/32 in. bass wood
part E5 (included in your hardware bag)
between elevator halves as indicated on the
plan set.
6. Lightly sand all empennage parts using 400
grit sand paper and a sanding block. Lightly
radius the leading edge of the horizontal and
vertical stabilizes leaving the trailing edge of
parts square.
7. Follow sanding instructions given on the plan
set under “Tape Hinge Diagram” for
preparing surfaces for hinging.
8. Cover empennage parts using a high quality
light weight covering film. We suggest
AeroLITE by Stevens AeroModel. Note that
the plan set contains a trim guide for the
scalloped covering scheme represented on
the product packaging.
9. Once again, following the “Tape Hinge
Diagram” instruction given on the plan set,
leave a 1/32 in. gap between surfaces at
hinge line then, apply tape hinges to join the
horizontal stabilizer to elevator and vertical
stabilizer to rudder. Note: we prefer clear
tape or covering film for tape hinges.
Tip: Use a low-tack painters masking tape to
tape the parts to be hinged to your work table.
This will make it much easier to retain part
alignment and hinge gap distances while
applying your tape hinges.
Set empennage parts aside until final assembly.
Wing
The wing is composed of two spars (main and
sub), leading edge, trailing edge, ribs and sub
ribs. Wing parts are designated with a “W”
followed by a number. Parts have been
numbered so that the wing assembly and required
parts follows in numeric order from W1 to W17.
The wing is assembled one half at a time and is
composed of a right and left side. Assembly
begins with the left half of the wing and works out
to the wing tip. When a part is required in the
build sequence (for instance “W3”) refer to the
plan set for part placement.
You will dry fit the majority of this wing assembly
together only gluing at the final instructional steps.
When parts cannot easily be retained with friction,
use a single tiny drop of medium CA glue applied
sparingly through a CA glue applicator tip to “tack
glue” the part in place. Should you commit an
error in assembly it will be easier to recover from
the mistake and remove or correct the part fit in
error if you do not slather the assembly in glue
after each step! Further this method of assembly
will allow our interlocking design to do it’s job as
each successive part installed within the wing will
help pull the entire structure square and true.
10. Locate parts W1 (main spar), W2 (sub spar),
and W3 (two each center section ribs). Using
the plan set as a guide, dry fit ribs W3 to slots
within spars W2 and W3. Note: The bottoms
of ribs should seat flush with bottom of spars.
11. Locate ribs W4 and W5 in slots in W1 and
W2. Use plan set as a placement guide.
12. Assemble W6 trailing edge over plan set from
parts W6a, W6b. Tack glue parts W6b to
W6a to retain parts within assembly.
13. Fit assembled W6 at trailing edge of ribs W3,
W4, and W5. Tack glue W6 where it contacts
ribs to retain within assembly.
14. Locate leading edge jig W7 at leading edge of
wing, with tabs facing forward, notches facing
aft, and etched arrow on part W7 facing rib
W3. Use plan set as a placement guide. Fit
W7 flush with bottom of ribs W3, W4, and W5
at leading edge. Ensure that W7 is properly
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.
!
Page 6 of 12