Mount The Retracts - Top Flite Douglas DC-3 User Manual

Remember, steps that are shaded and start with an
"F" are for fixed gear only.
F5. Fit together but do not glue both nacelle
assemblies using the inboard and outboard nacelle
sides, the nacelle tops and bottoms and the firewalls.
Fit the nacelles to the wing using the 1/2" x 3/4" x
4-3/4" grooved basswood forward landing gear rails
to hold them in place. Make sure you have installed the
nacelles correctly so the engine thrust is the same as
the plan. Both engines have outward thrust and are
mounted on the side of the firewall closest to the fuse.
The photo at this step shows the left engine nacelle
viewed from the bottom. Note that the groove in the
rail faces downward.
IMPORTANT: Be certain the aft edge of each nacelle
side fully contacts the center spar web. This is what
determines the position of the nacelle sides and therefore
determines the degree of outward engine thrust. All four
nacelle sides must be positioned in this manner so both
engines will have the correct outward engine thrust.
Before you perform the following steps, be certain
you will be gluing the nacelle sides and the firewall
in the correct orientation. Study your model
carefully and make sure everything matches the
plan. Specifically, make sure you have the inboard
and outboard nacelle sides in the correct location.
The nacelles and firewall incorporate 6Þ of down
thrust. The mounting holes in the firewall should be
closer to the top of the nacelle.
6. Remove the rail, nacelle sides, nacelle top and
bottom and firewall of one nacelle only. Apply
30-minute epoxy to all joining parts except for the nacelle
bottom. Reinstall the nacelle parts and the firewall using
clamps where necessary to hold everything in place.
Wipe away excess epoxy before it cures.
7. Glue the other nacelle to the center section the
same way. Don't forget to confirm that your nacelle
sides are in the correct location so the firewall has
outward thrust.
DC-3 Fact
Among many things that made the DC-3 so
successful were its ability to survive potentially
catastrophic circumstances, its load carrying ability,
and its longevity. The DC-3 was the first aircraft
that could generate revenue for its operators just
by hauling passengers! The DC-3 was the right
plane that came along at the right time .
Proceed to Build the fixed landing gear on page 40 if
you are installing fixed landing gear.

MOUNT THE RETRACTS

Do the left side first.
Refer to these two photos for the next seven steps.
- 38 -
R1. Fit but do not glue the 1/2" x 3/4" x 3-1/2"
basswood aft landing gear rail in the notches of ribs
W3 on the left side of the center section.
R2. Cut two 3-7/8" long servo hatch rails from
leftover 1/4" x 3/8" basswood. Fit but do not glue the
rails into the notches of the ribs for the servo hatch.
R3. Mount a 0-80 threaded ball link ball (not
included with this kit) on the outside of the arm on your
landing gear and secure it with a 0-80 nut and a drop of
thread lock. See the picture above step R10 on page 39.
R4. If you haven't done so already, temporarily
mount your wheel to one of your retracts using a 5/32"
wheel collar on both sides of the wheel to keep it
centered on the axle.
R5. Place your landing gear in the wing resting on
the forward landing gear rail. Center the landing gear on
the rail (side to side) and position it so the back is even
with the back of the rail. Use the horizontal part of the
landing gear mount as a template to drill two 1/16" holes
in the landing gear rail and mount the landing gear to the
rail with two #4 x 3/8" screws (not included).
R6. Temporarily remove the landing gear and add a
few drops of thin CA to the holes you just drilled. Allow
the CA to fully harden and remount your landing gear.
R7. Make a 3/4" x 3/4" shim for the aft landing gear
strut from leftover 1/16" plywood. Mount the aft landing
gear strut to the aft landing gear rail with the shim and a
#4 x 3/8" screw (not included).