Final Construction Before Covering
Follow this page to see how the final
construction stages of the model take shape, from installation of control
surfaces to installation of servos and engine.
Stabiliser and Elevator
If you remember the Stabiliser and the elevator
where built as one over the plans ( see
stabiliser construction )and then removed, put to one side while the rest of
the aircraft structure was built.
Well now that all this work has been completed, I've dug out the stabiliser and
elevator section, carefully stored out of harms way ready to split
the section enabling me to install the hinges.
Picture 1 below shows the two sections now separated which was carried out simply by cutting between the stabiliser trailing and elevator leading edge with a razor saw and then tidying up the cuts with medium grade sandpaper.
Once happy, the stabiliser was replaced over the plans it was originally built from and marks then placed on the structure identifying the location of the six hinges that will join the two sections together see picture 2 below. Once this is done then the elevator section is placed on the plans and the marks then transferred to this ensuring accurate alignment of both sections
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With the marks now all in position the next job is to find the centre of the tailing edge of the stabiliser and leading edge of the Elevator. To find this I have a handy little tool that is used for this purpose. See first picture below. It has a little raised point that scores the balsa as you draw it along the balsa surface. Once all the centres are marked then the next job is to slit the balsa using a hinge slitter and a gig that aids in guiding the slitter accurately and straight through the wood. See picture 2 below
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Once all the slits have been made then the hinges can be dry fitted to first the stabiliser and then the elevator marring up the slits and so joining to the stabiliser. using these tools and this method gives a perfect fit every time. See pictures below
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To see this in more detail click the video link below
stabiliser elevator and hinge setup
Struts & Control Linkages
Stabiliser Construction
Rudder construction
Wing Construction
Fuselage page
Engine installation
Aileron installation
Sopwith Page
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