Assemble The Cowl - GREAT PLANES GPMA0235 Instruction Manual

9. Most 2-1/2" wheels are made to fit 5/32" axles but the
8-32 screws supplied in this kit for the axles require a larger
hole. If the wheel does not roll freely on the 8-32 x 1-1/2"
SHCS "axle" enlarge the wheel hub with an 11/64" (#18 for
perfection) drill.
10. Test fit the wheel in the wheel pant using the
following procedure:
A. Install an axle in a wheel, then thread an 8-32 nut on the
axle about 1/8".
B. Insert the wheel in the pant with the end of the screw
inserted in the plywood wheel pant mount and the head of
the screw sticking out of the wheel pant.
C. Use a 9/64" hex wrench to screw the axle through the
wheel and the wheel pant until the wheel goes all the way
in and the axle goes through the pant mount.
Note: When you reinstall the wheel after the wheel pant
has been painted, put masking tape on the bottom of the
pant so the screw will not scratch it.
D. Adjust the tightness of the nut with hemostats or needle
nose pliers.
11. Temporarily mount the wheel pant to the landing
gear with another 8-32 nut on the axle.
12. Perform the same procedure to assemble and
temporarily mount the other wheel pant to the landing gear.
13. Before painting the wheel pants fill the seams with
putty filler such as Squadron White Putty or resin filler such
as Bondo. We use Bondo most of the time as it cures quickly
and is easy to sand but usually it must be purchased in large
quantities. Squadron putty works well but it takes overnight to
dry and usually requires at least two applications because it
shrinks as it dries.
14. After the filler cures wet sand the wheel pants with
400-grit sandpaper to prepare them for primer.

Assemble the Cowl

1. The cowl is assembled just the same as the wheel
pants. Cut the cowl along the cut lines, then use your bar
sander to true all the edges. For now, the opening in the
front of each cowl half only needs to be roughly cut out.
Use coarse sandpaper to roughen the inside of all the
overlapping areas so the glue will stick.
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