1.
Locate and remove the two pieces of sheeting for the underside of the nose from Sheet 7. Start at the nose
and line up the correct part against ‘F1’. Stick the edge of the sheet to ‘F1’ and allow the glue to set.
2.
Gently wrap the sheet around the curve of the nose a little at a time whilst applying CA to hold in place,
continue until the whole of the sheet is stuck into place. If you are not adding the chin radiator from the ‘
Xtra
Detail Sheet 11’
, take the second sheet part and stick it to the first and follow the same procedure to stick into
place. If you are fitting the chin radiator from the ‘
Xtra Detail Sheet 11’
use the chin radiator base in place of
the second smaller sheet which should be stuck into place with the ‘F’ facing towards the nose.
3.
The rear under side is covered using five sheet pieces located on Sheet 4. Stick them into place starting with
the sheet next to the rear of the wing saddle and working towards the rear.
4.
Using sandpaper round off the edges of the underside sheeting where they meet the fuselage sides. Also
give the sides a gentle sanding to remove any rough edges or excess glue at the joints. The fuselage and
battery hatch are now ready for covering. Please note: do not cover the tail plane mounting base.
Tail Plane and Elevators
1.
From sheet 9, remove the two lozenge shaped parts, it is recommended that the tail plane part is not
removed from Sheet 9 at this stage. Remove the lozenge shaped areas from the tail plane and discard. Place
the tail plane in its carrier sheet onto a flat surface protected by plastic sheet or grease-proof paper (to prevent
the parts being stuck to the surface) and if possible weigh it down. Press the two lozenge parts into the tail
plane, making sure they are the correct way round as they will only fit one way, so don’t force them in. Ensure
that they are pressed home and flush with the tail plane’s surface, before wicking CA into the joins. Allow the
glue to fully dry before removing the tail plane part from the carrier sheet.
2.
Four slots for the Mylar hinges need to be cut into the trailing edge (TE) of the tail plane. To do this make a
mark on the left-hand side TE of the tail plane 30mm from the centre of the tail plane and then make another
mark 20mm from the first. Make another mark 85mm from the centre with another mark 20mm from that..
Repeat the process for the right-hand side of the tail plane.
3.
Draw a line along the midpoint of the trailing edge between the 1
st
and 2
nd
marks and the 3
rd
and 4
th
marks
on each side. Using the lines as a guide and using a sharp knife
CAREFULLY
cut slots into the edges to a
depth of approximately 13mm, keeping the knife vertical to the edge to avoid the blade from cutting through to
the surface. Check that the Mylar hinge can be inserted to about half its length.
4.
Sand the LE of the tail plane to a rounded profile.
5.
Locate and remove the four elevator parts from Sheet 9 and the plywood elevator joiner from Sheet 3.
6.
Use sandpaper to round the leading edge of the plywood joiner.
7.
On a protected flat surface assemble the elevator tips onto the elevator parts and stick into place with CA.
8.
Stick some thin clear tape along the TE of the tail plane. Assemble the two elevators and the plywood joiner
against the TE of the tailplane. This helps to ensure that the elevators and joiner are built straight. Hold the
elevator parts in place and stick the elevators to the joiner with CA and hold until the glue has set. Remove the
tape from the tail plane.
9.
Use the hinge marks on the tail plane to mark the position of the hinge slots onto the elevators, and cut the
slots using the same method as for the tail plane.
10.
Bevel the LE of the elevators aiming to produce a point along the middle of the edges in line with the hinge
slots that have been cut to allow for the elevators to move freely.
11.
Round the trailing edges of the elevators as well the leading edges of the angled elevator tips. Gently sand
the surface of the parts to remove any excess glue and rough edges etc.
12.
The tail plane and elevators are ready to cover.
Rudder
Balsa Basics Messerschmitt Bf 109 Vintage Model Company
4
