Scale Details; Mount The Wing Struts; Finish The Cockpits - GREAT PLANES Ryan STA-M Instruction Manual

SCALE DETAILS

Mount the Wing Struts

Do the left wing strut first.
7-3/4"
1. Use a fine-point felt-tip pen (such as a Top Flite
Panel Line Pen, TOPQ2510) to mark the location of the
wing strut mounting block directly on the wing (later,
denatured alcohol will be used to wipe the marks off–if
uncertain, test on an inconspicuous part of the model). The
wing strut mounting block is located 7-3/4" [197mm] from
the middle of the wing, and 9-3/8" [238mm] from the trailing
edge of the wing. The block is 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" [32 x 32mm].
2. Mount the wing to the fuselage with both 1/4-20 x
2" [50mm] nylon wing bolts. Bevel both ends of one of the
balsa wing struts to fit the wing and fuse over the strut
mounting blocks (the strut mounting block in the fuselage
can be visually located). Note that the top of the strut will be
9-3/8"
Location of wing
strut mounting
block inside wing.
angled slightly more than the bottom of the strut. Temporarily
hold the strut in position with a couple of T-pins.
90˚
3. Remove the T-pin and drill a 3/32" [2.4mm] hole
through the bottom of the strut into the hardwood block in
the wing.
4. Remove the strut and enlarge the hole in the strut
only with a 1/8" [3.2mm] drill. Mount the bottom of the strut
to the wing with a #4 x 5/8" [16mm] screw.
5. Mount the top of the strut to the fuselage the same way.
6. Remove the strut. Add a few drops of thin CA to
both ends of the strut to harden the holes and to fuelproof
the exposed balsa. Remove any ink lines marked on the
wing with a tissue dampened with alcohol.
8. Mount the other strut to the right side of the fuse the
same way. Mark the struts in an inconspicuous location as
right and left.

Finish the Cockpits

1. Paint the inside of the cockpits. The cockpits in the full-
size Ryan this kit was modeled after are olive drab. For the best
appearance, apply two coats of paint, sanding between coats
(it's a hassle, but worth it!). Note: Some paints with strong
solvents will soak through the balsa and "bleed" onto the back
of the MonoKote, making marks that can be seen from the
outside. To avoid this, paint the cockpits with an airbrush or
apply light coats and allow to fully dry between coats.
25
Drill Holes
Perpendicular
90˚