Important Building Notes - Top Flite Contender User Manual

Adhesive-backed Sandpaper. While building the
Contender we used two 5-1/2" [140mm] Bar Sanders
and two 11" [280mm] Bar Sanders equipped with 80-
grit and 150-grit Adhesive-backed Sandpaper.
Here's the complete list of Easy-Touch Bar Sanders
and Adhesive Backed Sandpaper.
5-1/2" [140mm] Bar Sander (GPMR6169)
11" [280mm] Bar Sander (GPMR6170)
22" [560mm] Bar Sander (GPMR6172)
33" [840mm] Bar Sander (GPMR6174)
44" [1120mm] Bar Sander (GPMR6176)
11" [280mm] Contour Multi-Sander (GPMR6190)
12' [300mm] roll of Adhesive-backed sandpaper:
80-grit (GPMR6180)
150-grit (GPMR6183)
180-grit (GPMR6184)
220-grit (GPMR6185)
Assortment pack of 5-1/2" [140mm] strips (GPMR6189)
We also use Top Flite 320-grit (TOPR8030, 4 sheets)
and 400-grit (TOPR8032, 4 sheets) wet-or-dry
sandpaper for finish sanding.

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

There are two types of screws used in this kit:
Sheet metal screws are designated by a number
and a length.
For example #6 x 3/4" [19.1mm]
Machine screws are designated by a number,
threads per inch and a length.
For example 4-40 x 3/4" [19.1mm]
When you see the term test fit in the instructions, it
means that you should first position the part on the
assembly without using any glue, then slightly
modify or custom fit the part as necessary for the
best fit.
Whenever the term glue is used you should rely
upon your experience to decide what type of glue to
use. When a specific type of adhesive works best for
that step we will tell you what type of glue to use.
Whenever just epoxy is specified you may use either
30-minute epoxy or 6-minute epoxy. When 30-minute
epoxy is specified it is highly recommended that you
use only 30-minute (or 45-minute) epoxy because you
will need the working time and/or the additional strength.
Occasionally we refer to the top or bottom of the
model or up or down. To avoid confusion, the top or
bottom of the model is as it would be when the
airplane is right side up and will be referred to as the
top even if the model is upside down during that
step, i.e. the top main spar is always the top main
spar even if the wing is upside down when you are
working on it. Similarly, move the former up means
move the former toward the top of the fuselage even
if the fuselage is upside down when you are working
on it.
When you get to each step, read that step completely
through to the end before you begin. Frequently
there is important information or a note at the end of
the step that you need to know before you start.
Photos and sketches are placed ahead of the step
they refer to. Frequently you can study photos in
following steps to get another view of the same parts.
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS
Deg = degrees Elev = elevator
Fuse = fuselage
LE = leading edge Ply = plywood
Stab = stabilizer TE = trailing edge
LG = landing gear mm = millimeters
5
BALSA
1/64" = .4mm
1/32" = .8mm
1/16" = 1.6mm
3/32" = 2.4mm
1/8" = 3.2mm
5/32" = 4mm
3/16" = 4.8mm
1/4" = 6.4mm
3/8" = 9.5mm
1/2" = 12.7mm
5/8" = 15.9mm
3/4" = 19mm
Note: An inch/mm scale is provided on the
" = inches
TYPES OF WOOD
BASSWOOD PLYWOOD
Metric Conversion Chart
1" = 25.4mm (conversion factor)
1" = 25.4mm
2" = 50.8mm
3" = 76.2mm
6" = 152.4mm
12" = 304.8mm
15" = 381mm
18" = 457.2mm
21" = 533.4mm
24" = 609.6mm
30" = 762mm
36" = 914.4mm
fuselage plan.