Build The Wing Tips; Standard Wing Tips - Top Flite Contender User Manual

Perform step 7 only if you are NOT going to have
a functional flap.
7. Glue the flap in position in the center of the wing
at the location shown on the plan.
Steps 8 - 12 are for building the functional flap.
8. Draw a centerline on the leading edge of the
flap the same way it was done for the aileron.
9. Mark the location for the hinges and cut the
hinge slots.
10. Using the centerline as a reference taper the
LE to a "V" as shown on the flap cross-section.
11. Mark the location for the flap hinges on the
wing TE and cut the hinge slots.
12. Install the control horn on the top of the flap as
shown on the plan. Use the same installation method
used on the aileron.
C C o o n n t t e e n n d d e e r r F F u u n n F F a a c c t t
When the Contender was originally introduced
it was advertised as "Buildable in 8 hours"
and the instructions consisted of 12 sketches.
We are not so sure about the 8 hours but
we are sure you will like this expanded
construction manual.

Build the wing tips

1. Locate the 1/8" [3.2mm] die-cut balsa wing tip
parts. Each wing tip consists of two halves. Glue the
left and right halves together. Do this to make four
wing tips.
2. Glue two wing tip assemblies together to make
one 1/4" [6.4mm] wing tip. Do the same for the other
wing tip.
3. Sand the wing tip edges round just as you did
for the TE of the aileron.
Before we can continue, you'll need to decide which
wing tip shape you wish to use on your Contender.
The standard tip is the original "nostalgia" tip shape
and the model performs quite nicely with this tip. The
optional tip shape was evolved onto the original
Contender design to make its handling even better,
particularly eliminating a "roll coupling from rudder".
With the optional wing tips, your model will just yaw
upon rudder application, without the need to use
opposite aileron to correct a roll couple. Additionally,
your Contender will have even better slow speed
handling, without any loss of aerobatic performance.
Note that the model flew excellently in both
configurations and the decision to install or not to
install the optional tips is not a crucial one for basic
flight handling.
17
Standard wing tip
1. Glue the wing tip into the slots in the tip ribs
of the wing. Make sure the wing tip is aligned at the
center of the wing LE and TE.
2. Locate the 1/8" x 1-3/8" x 30" [3.2 x 34.9 x
762mm] balsa sheet and cut four wing tip braces for
each wing tip. Use the above sketch and photos as
a guide when cutting the braces. Position the braces
as shown on the plan then glue them in place when
you are satisfied with the fit.