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Parts Needed
Tools and Adhesives Needed
Section 8: Hinging the Rudder and Installing the Tail Wheel
Rudder
Fuselage
Tail wheel assembly
Thin CA glue
CA remover/debonder
Blue Locktite Z-42
30-minute epoxy
Needle-nose pliers
Hobby knife with #11 blade
Step 1.
Trial fit the rudder in position on the vertical fin with
the hinges in place. Note that three hinges attach the rudder to
the vertical fin.
Step 2.
Insert the tail wheel wire into the pivot bushing. With
the pivot bushing resting against the coil in the tail wheel wire,
use needle-nose pliers to make a 90-degree bend in the direction
shown below, 1/8" above the top of the pivot bushing.
Note:
The part of the tail wheel wire that inserts into the
rudder must go into the wood block in the rudder. To insure
adequate strength, the bend of the wire must be kept as low
as possible or the wire will miss the hardwood.
Step 3.
Hold the tail wheel assembly up to the fuselage in a
position where it's flush with the fuselage bottom. Note where
the wire rests in reference to the rudder. Using a felt-tipped pen,
mark the position where the hole is to be drilled into the rudder.
Also mark the position of the slot where the nylon bearing will fit
into the back of the fuselage. This slot should be positioned so it
is centered on the fuselage tail section.
Step 3 photo
Step 4.
Remove the rudder from the vertical fin. Using a 3/32" drill
bit, drill into the exact center of the rudder as marked to accept the tail
wheel wire as shown. It may be helpful to drill a 1/16" pilot hole first.
Step 5.
Cut a slot and groove into the back of the fuselage as
marked to accept the nylon tail wheel bearing. There are various
methods to make an opening in the fuselage tail section for the
tail wheel bearing. The following procedure is the one we used to
mount the tail wheel assembly. Use a Dremel
®
cutting wheel to cut
a grove in the fuselage tail section that is centered. Next, use a
keyhole saw blade to enlarge the opening for the tail wheel bearing.
Drill
Drill Bits: 1/16", 3/32"
Felt-tipped pen
Paper towels
Rubbing alcohol
Toothpicks (optional)
