High Quality Plan Sets and Laser Cut Partial Kits for Radio Control
Aircraft
Page 6
Carl Goldberg's 1938 Comet Clipper
As in construction of the fin, the elevator spars are attached to the
stabilizer rear spar by spot gluing 1/32 balsa in between.
The perimeter parts were first
assembled over the plan with the 1/4 inch parts flat on the plan
and the 3/16 parts shimmed up 1/32". Next,
.277
shims were placed under the 3/16 parts, .246 shims under the 1/4 inch
leading edge parts, a 3/16 shim under the center of the stabilizer rear
spar in the
area relieved for the 1/16 lower sheeting, and finally a .146 shim under
the center of the stabilizer front spar. These shims are next to
the fin
shims on the 1/4 inch balsa laser cut sheet.
The two spars were then attached to the perimeter. It might
be well to shim up under the front spar with whatever
fits at some points along the taper when adding the ribs. There
are two in this photo.
The
upper
1/16 X 1/4 ribs are installed. Try to use balsa of the same
stiffness throughout so the stabilizers and elevators keep a symmetrical
shape.
The top center balsa
sheeting is installed next.
The lower
ribs are next installed, and the elevator ends, from scrap 1/8 balsa.
The
fin
has been fit to the stabilizer top sheet. The fin was laid
sideways across the stabilizer, with the aft side of the fin front spar
even with the
front
face of
the stabilizer main spar. An Exacto knife was used to lightly
score the cut lines, being careful not to bend the fin's aft spar when
making those scores.
After that, calipers were used to measure from the sides, taking
dimensions from the plans. The side cuts were made
with the knife,
and then the cross cuts were made.
