Build The Fuselage; Preparations; Install The Stab, Elevator, Fin & Rudder - GREAT PLANES PT-17 Stearman Instruction Manual

BUILD THE FUSELAGE

Preparations

1. Remove the belly pan from the bottom of the fuselage.
Install the landing gear to the fuselage with five 8-32 x 3/4"
[19mm] socket head cap screws. Apply a drop of Threadlocker
to each bolt before installing them.
2. Glue the belly pan back in place with a few dabs of
silicone glue. Using silicone will allow you to remove the
belly pan easily should you ever have to get access to the
landing gear bolts.
We will come back and do the installation of the wheels later.
Having the landing gear installed at this time will make it easier
to handle the fuselage on the workbench.
3. Cut the covering from the fuselage where the horizontal
stabilizer fits into the fuselage.
4. Cut the covering and the wood block from the back
of the horizontal stabilizer saddle.
Install the Stab, Elevator, Fin & Rudder
1. Temporarily attach the lower wing to the fuselage with the
1/4-20 nylon bolts. Slide the horizontal stabilizer into the slot in
the fuselage. Stand back and look at the stab in relation to the
wing. The stab should be parallel with the wing. If not, sand the
stab saddle until the stab and wing are aligned.
2. Measure the distance from the tip of the stab to the tip of
each wing. Adjust the position of the stab until they are equal.
3. Using a felt-tip pen, mark the outline of the fuselage
on the top and the bottom of the stab.
4. Cut the covering on the top and bottom of the stab
inside the lines you have drawn. Use the same technique for
removing the covering from the wing.
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