13
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4) Place the stabilizer onto the stabilizer mount-
ing platform. The trailing edge of the stabilizer should
be even with the rear edge of the fuselage.
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5) Install the wing onto the fuselage. Align the
centerline drawn on the top and the rear of the stabi-
lizer with the centerline marks drawn on the fuselage.
When those are aligned, hold the stabilizer in that po-
sition using masking tape. Align the horizontal sta-
bilizer with the wing. When viewed from the rear,
the horizontal stabilizer should be level with the wing.
If it is not level, use 220 grit sandpaper with a sand-
ing block and sand down the high side of the stabi-
lizer mounting platform until the proper alignment is
achieved. The tips of the stabilizer should also be
equal distance from the tips of the wing. See figures
# 4 and # 5 below.
q
3) Using a ruler and a pen, locate and mark the
centerline of the fuselage at both the front and the
rear of the stabilizer mounting platform. See photo
# 10 below.
Photo # 10
Figure # 4
Figure # 5
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6) When you are satisfied with the alignment,
hold the stabilizer securely in place with masking tape,
but do not glue it in place at this time.
MOUNTING THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER
q
7) With the stabilizer held firmly in place, use a
pen and draw lines onto the stabilizer where it and
the fuselage sides meet. Do this on both the right and
left sides on the bottom of the stabilizer.
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8) Remove the stabilizer from the fuselage. Us-
ing the lines you just drew as a guide, carefully re-
move the covering from between them using a mod-
eling knife. See photo # 11 below.
Photo # 11
When cutting through the covering to remove
it, cut with only enough pressure to only cut
through the covering itself. Cutting into the balsa
structure may weaken it.
q
9) When you are sure that everything is aligned
correctly, mix up a generous amount of Kwik Bond 5
Minute Epoxy. Apply a thin layer to the bottom of
the mounting area on the bottom of the stabilizer and
to the top of the stabilizer mounting platform on the
fuselage. Set the stabilizer in place and realign.
Double check all of your measurements once more
before the epoxy cures. Hold the stabilizer in place
with masking tape and remove any excess epoxy us-
ing a paper towel and rubbing alcohol.
HINGING THE ELEVATOR
q
10) Remove the three plastic hinges from the el-
evator. Using 220 grit sandpaper, lightly sand the top
and bottom of each half of all three hinges.
Lightly sanding the hinge's gluing surfaces will
roughen the plastic increasing the bonding
strength between the epoxy and the hinge.
Stabilizer Mounting
Platform
Draw
Centerline
Draw
Centerline
Remove
Covering
Draw Line
Draw Line
A
A-1
A = A-1
B
B-1
B = B-1
