Panel Lines; Get Your Model Ready To Fly; Check Engine Thrust Angles; Balance Your Model - Top Flite Douglas DC-3 User Manual

PANEL LINES

No scale model is complete without panel lines. Panel
lines really finish the job and set your model apart from
others (besides, they tend to distract the eye from
any building imperfections and uneven surfaces—not
that your model has any!). Study the photos and
documentation you have gathered and decide which
panel lines to add. There are two methods for adding
panel lines. The first method is to use a Top Flite Panel
Line Pen (TOPQ2510) with a flexible straightedge. We
used a piece of thin plastic so we could curve it around
the fuselage. Apply a few strips of masking tape to the
back of your straightedge about 1/8" from the edge to
raise it off the surface so the ink won't bleed underneath.
Place the straightedge directly on your model and use it
as a guide to mark your panel lines. Use the Top Flite
Scale Template (TOPR2187) for rivets, hatches, fuel
caps and other details. You can make your own
templates from thin plastic or cardboard for special
areas like the exit door or other hatches. Some cleaners
will remove the ink lines, so test your cleaner on the ink
before spraying it on your model. The inked on panel
lines stay well but have to be "freshened up" from time
to time due to spilled fuel or exhaust residue.
The second method for applying panel lines is to use a
Top Flite Smart Stripe to cut narrow strips of MonoKote
film. Iron the panel lines in position. Black or Charcoal
MonoKote film is recommended.

GET YOUR MODEL READY TO FLY

CHECK ENGINE THRUST ANGLES

In order for your DC-3 to handle well when one engine
quits, it is important that the outward thrust of both
engines is correct. To check this, make a thrust
platform by drilling a hole through an approximately
1/4" x 1" x 6" piece of plywood and mounting it to one of
your engines. Stand your wing on its trailing edge and
place your Robart Incidence Meter on top of the thrust
platform. Read the outward thrust. This should be 4
degrees (if your work surface is level). If necessary,
place washers or thin pieces of plywood behind the
engine mount until you can achieve the correct outward
engine thrust. Measure and adjust the outward engine
thrust of the other engine the same way.

BALANCE YOUR MODEL

NOTE: This section is VERY important and must
NOT be omitted! A model that is not properly
balanced will be unstable and possibly unflyable.
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1. See the Expert Tip that follows to accurately mark
the balance point on the top of the wing on both sides of
the fuselage. The balance point is shown on the plan
(CG) and is located 4-3/4" [121mm] back from the
leading edge of the center section of the wing as
shown in the sketch and on the plans. This is the balance
point at which your model should be balanced for your
first flights. Later, you may experiment by shifting the
balance up to 1/4" [6mm] forward or back to change the
flying characteristics. If you move the balance point
forward it may improve the smoothness and tracking, but
your DC-3 may then require more speed for takeoff and
become more difficult to slow for landing. If you move the
balance aft it may make your DC-3 more agile with a
lighter feel and allow you to slow the model more for
landing. In any case, please start at the location we
recommend and do not at any time balance your
model outside the recommended range.
HOW TO MARK THE BALANCE POINT
If you have a Great Planes C.G. Machine™ (shown
above), you don't need to perform this procedure. The
balance point is measured from the center section
leading edge. Mark the balance point outward a few