Pen (TOPQ2510) to mark the outline of the fuselage onto
the top and bottom of the stab.
❍
9. Remove the stab from the fuselage. Use a sharp #11
hobby knife or refer to the Expert Tip on page 8, to cut the
covering from the stab 1/16" [1.6mm] inside the lines you
marked on the top and bottom of the stab. Do not remove
the covering from the trailing edge of the stab. Use care to
cut only into the covering and not into the wood. Cutting
into the balsa will weaken the structure.
❍
10. Note: If you like, you may remove the rudder and
elevator from the fin and stab for these steps. We will glue
them into place later.
Fit the fin into the fuselage and mark the location of the
fuselage onto the fin with a felt-tip pin. Also mark the
location of the fin on top of the fuselage. Using the same
method as with the stab, cut the covering material from the
mark on the bottom of the fin and the top of the fuselage.
❍
11. Apply 30-minute epoxy to all joining surfaces of the
stab. Slide the stab into position. Wipe away residual epoxy
with a tissue dampened with rubbing/denatured alcohol. If
the stab required a weight on one side or the other to align
it with the wing, position the weight. Use the pin and string
to confirm stab alignment. Do not disturb the model until the
epoxy has fully hardened.
❍
12. Apply 30-minute epoxy to all joining surfaces of the fin.
Insert the fin and wipe away excess epoxy. Use a 90° triangle to
check that the fin is vertical. If necessary, use masking tape to
pull the tip of the fin to one side or other of the stab until it is
vertical. Do not disturb the model until the epoxy has fully
hardened.
❍
13. When the epoxy has fully hardened, make sure the
rudder and elevator are in the proper position with all the
hinges properly installed. Place six drops of thin CA on both
sides of each hinge location. Let the CA cure completely. Do
not use activator. Pull on each control surface to make sure
it is glued properly.
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