Intercooler Doors - Top Flite P-47D Thunderbolt User Manual

sheeting blends the fin to the dorsal fin in a nearly
seamless transition. Glue the dorsal fin sheeting into
position on both sides.
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5. Use balsa filler to blend the dorsal fin to the fin
and to the fuselage. While you're at it, make a small
fillet around the fin and stab, blending them to each
other and to the fuse. Sand the filler after it dries. It
shouldn't take much filler to do the job (you can see
how the stab and fin are blended in photos later in
the manual).
Hint: Some modelers apply lots of filler, taking the
approach that "you can always sand off what you
don't need." However, since balsa filler is harder than
balsa, you usually end up sanding the balsa around
the filler more than the filler itself. For this reason,
you should take your time applying filler and only use
what is needed.

Intercooler doors

Skip this section if you've decided not to build the
intercooler doors in the open position.
❏ ❏
1. Cut a 2-5/8" high x 2-3/4" wide opening in the
fuse sheeting for the intercooler air exit as shown in
the preceding sketch. The top of the opening is 1-3/8"
from the center of the sub stringer.
❏ ❏
2. Make an inner door to the dimensions
shown in the sketch from the 2-5/8" x 12" ABS sheet
provided. Scribe one side of the door where shown,
then bend, but do not break it at the line. Glue the
inner door into position and sand the aft edge even
with the fuse.
-25-
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3. Use the pattern on the plan to make the top and
bottom of the intercooler door from the ABS sheet,
then glue them to the inner door and the fuse sheeting.
❏ ❏
4. Make the outer door from the ABS sheet as
shown in the sketch. Sand a slight curve to the aft
edge of the door, then test fit it into position over the
door sides and under the fuse sheeting. Trim where
necessary, then glue the outer door into position.
❏
5. Build the intercooler air exit for the other side of
the fuse the same way.