Section 9: Hinging The Elevators - Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang ARF Instruction Manual

Section 9
Hinging the Elevators
Parts Needed
Fuselage assembly
Left and right elevator halves
Hinges (6)
Tools and Adhesives Needed
Thin CA
CA remover/debonder
6-minute epoxy
Drill
Drill Bit: 3/32"
T-pins
Rubbing alcohol
Paper towels
Note: The elevator halves are joined together with
the U-shaped wire supplied with the kit. This wire
will be used to drive both elevator halves and is
epoxied into place.
Caution: The hinges included with the P-51 are
made of a special material that allows the thin CA
to "wick" (penetrate) and distribute throughout the
hinge, securely bonding them to the wood structure.
It is imperative that you properly secure the hinges
in place using high quality thin CA glue.
Step 1. Locate the left and right elevator halves and temporarily
install the elevators to the horizontal stabilizer. Center the
elevator joiner wire in the tail of the fuselage and use a felt-
tipped pen or pencil to mark the outline of the wire onto
the elevators.
Step 2. Remove the elevators. Using a 3/32" drill bit, carefully
drill the holes into the elevators using the marks you made in the
previous step as a guide. Drill directly down the center of the
elevator and only as far as needed.
Hint: Use a piece of masking tape on the drill bit
as a depth gauge.
Step 3. Temporarily install the elevators back onto the
horizontal stabilizer and check for fit. The elevator halves
should be equal to each other and move freely up and down.
If the elevators are not equal, you can remove them and
carefully bend the joiner wire until they come into alignment.
Once satisfied with the fit, remove the elevator halves.
CONTINUED
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