Balance The Model Laterally; Prepare The Model For Covering - GREAT PLANES Giles G-202 Instruction Manual

11. Use a piece of thin cardboard or plastic to make a
template for the cutout in the cowl for the valve cover (if
necessary), the engine mixture screw and for the glow
plug. Tape the template to the fuselage side, accurately
indicating the positions.
12. Remount the cowl in position with the mounting
screws, being careful not to move or damage the template.
Use a felt-tip pen to transfer the holes in the template onto
the cowl.
13. Remove the cowl and template, then remount the
valve cover and/or needle valve, if necessary. Cut out the
holes in the cowl, then test fit it to the fuselage (you may
have to temporarily remove the needle valve so it does not
interfere with the cowl). Adjust the position and size of the
holes as needed. Hint: Cut the holes in the cowl undersize
at first so you can make adjustments to their position
without having to oversize them.
14. Cut six 1" x 1" pieces of fiberglass cloth. Use
medium CA to glue one piece to the inside of the cowl at
each cowl mounting hole. After the CA cures, re-drill the
holes with a 1/16" drill bit.
15. Fill the seams and other imperfections in the cowl as
described in the preceding wheel pants section. Wet sand
the entire cowl with 400-grit sandpaper to prepare it for
priming.

BALANCE THE MODEL LATERALLY

Do not confuse this procedure with "checking the
C.G.", which will be discussed later in the manual.
A model which is not laterally balanced properly may
exhibit a variety of unpleasant traits, ranging from
uncharacteristic tip stalls to problems with spin entries. This
aircraft, when balanced properly, exhibits none of these
tendencies. Be sure to check the lateral balance carefully
as described to help ensure that the model exhibits the
same exceptional handling qualities of our prototypes.
1. With the wing level and attached to the model (and
the radio system, engine and muffler installed), suspend
the model inverted by the propeller shaft and the trailing
edge of the fuselage/fin base through the lightening holes
under the stab. (Be sure the knot is centered on the fin and
the line off the prop shaft is extending off the center of the
prop shaft, not to one side or the other.) Be SURE that the
model is suspended securely and that you can be hands-
free to complete this process. Hint: Above our workbench,
we have two pieces of cord suspended from the beams in
the ceiling to secure around the prop shaft and the tail.
2. With a hobby ruler, measure how far each tip is off the
building board. Rock the plane on the strings gently and let
it settle. Measure again. Add stick-on weight to the high tip
until the two tips measure exactly the same height off the
building board. Secure the weight inside the wing. Take the
model off the ropes and set it back on the gear. Note: The
building board must be both flat and LEVEL for this process
to work properly. Shim if needed.
PREPARE THE MODEL
FOR COVERING
1. Remove all the pushrods and remove the hinges and
control horns from the ailerons, elevators, and rudder.
Remove the aileron servos. Remove the engine, mount
and any other hardware you may have installed.
2. Most of the model should be rough-sanded by now,
with all the tabs and rough edges sanded even. Fill all
dents, seams, low spots, and notches with HobbyLite
Balsa Colored Filler.
3. After the filler has dried, use progressively finer
grades of sandpaper to even all the edges and seams and
smooth all surfaces. Remove all balsa dust from the model
with compressed air or a vacuum with a brush and a tack cloth.
4. Cut the canopy along the outside cut lines. Do not cut
along the second set of lines, provided as "paint to here"
locator lines to help you paint the canopy. Test fit and trim
as necessary.
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