Section 5. Installing The Horizontal And Vertical Stabilizers - Hangar 9 J-3 Piper Cub Instruction Manual

Section 5: Installing the Horizontal
and Vertical Stabilizer
Parts Needed
• Fuselage w/wing temporially mounted
• Horizontal stabilizer
• Vertical stabilizer
Step 1. On the rear of the fuselage, slots are pre-cut in the
wood structure for the horizontal stabilizer and the vertical stabi-
lizer. Use a hobby knife to trim away the covering, using caution
to not cut into the balsawood.
Step 2. Remove the elevators from the horizontal stabilizer, tak-
ing care not to lose any of the CA hinges. The Elevators will be
attached in Section 7. Use a straightedge of locate the center line
of the horizontal stabilizer. This line will serve as a reference
point when the horizontal stabilizer is mounted to the fuselage.
Tools and Adhesives Needed
• Hobby knife with #11 blade
• Felt-tipped pen
• 30-minute epoxy
• Rubbing alcohol
• Masking tape
• 90-degree triangle
Step 3. Slide the horizontal stabilizer carefully into the slot pro-
vided in the fuselage. You may have to trim the opening to allow
the horizontal stabilizer to be inserted. By noting the centerline
you marked, position the horizontal stabilizer so that it's centered
in the fuselage opening where the vertical stabilizer will go.
Step 4. Mark the center of the rear of the fuselage (where the
rudder will be placed). Position the horizontal stabilizer so it's
center line mark is in line with the fuselage rear mark. Use the
ruler to make sure the horizontal stabilizer projects an equal
amount on either side of the fuselage at that point (see below).
Also check that the stabilizer is level with the wing by sighting it
from the rear of the fuselage.
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Paper towels
• Mixing stick
• Epoxy brush
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