Sheet The Nacelles - Top Flite Douglas DC-3 User Manual

SHEET THE NACELLES

Some of the steps and photos in this section apply only
to the fixed landing gear and some apply only to retract
builders. Remember, fixed gear steps start with an "F"
and retract gear steps start with an "R".
1. Use a ballpoint pen to draw a centerline on the top
of the wing over one of the nacelles. Similarly, mark the
location of the nacelle formers as shown on the plan.
R2. Turn the wing over. Mount the front of your
retract to the forward landing gear rail. Cut the sheeting
from the aft landing gear rail for the 1/16" shim you
made earlier and glue the shim in place. Mount the aft
strut to the rail.
R3. Cover the aft portion of the landing gear well
with 3/32" sheeting.
4. Draw a centerline and mark the location of the
bottom nacelle formers on the bottom of the wing the
same way you did the top.
5. Gather all the die-cut 1/8" balsa top and bottom
nacelle formers.
6. Draw centerlines on the top and bottom nacelle
formers. Cut holes for the fuel lines in the top formers by
useing a sharpened brass tube or a rotary motor tool.
7. Glue the top nacelle formers to the wing. Glue an
1/8" x 1/8" x 24" stringer in the notches of the top nacelle
formers allowing approximately 2" to extend from the
front cowl former.
Remember, these three steps are for retract gear
builders only.
R8. Turn the wing over. Glue on only the bottom
nacelle formers 3, 4 and 5. Cut out the 1/8" notches in
the formers, along the embossed lines.
R9. If not in position already, temporarily mount one
of your retracts. Retract the gear and trim the cowl
- 51 -
formers as necessary for the aft strut. Make a small
passage for the strut from leftover 1/16" balsa.
R10. Glue on the remaining bottom nacelle formers.
Glue 1/8" x 1/8" stringers in the side notches only. Cut
the formers to accommodate the landing gear when you
retract it into the wing.
Remember, these two steps are for fixed gear
builders only.
F11. Turn the wing over. Glue the bottom nacelle
formers to the bottom of the wing. Glue 1/8" x 1/8"
stringers in the notches the same way you did the top
nacelle formers.
F12. Cut the bottom sheeting over the aft landing
gear rail for the 1/16" plywood shim you made earlier.
Glue the shim to the rail in the same location it was
before. Sand the bottom sheeting even with the shim.
13. Glue the side nacelle formers (C1S) to the
nacelle sides. Glue 1/8" x 1/8" stringers in the notches.