Page 10
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Construction Manual
Step 50 - Fuselage Assembly (FS3, FS4)
Locate both FS3’s
from BP7 and both
FS4’s from BP6.
Use the same edge-
gluing technique to
glue one FS3 to one
FS4 as shown here.
This forms a back
half fuselage sheet.
Set this aside and do
the same thing with
the remaining FS3 and FS4 to form the other back half fuselage
sheet.
Step 51 - Fuselage Assembly (port & starboard sheeting)
Take one of the front sides
from step 49 and one of the
back sheets from step 50.
These are glued together to
form a completed fuselage
sheet.
When gluing these together,
make sure they are properly
aligned by positioning them
over the fuselage plan
sheet.
Do this twice - to make
the port and starboard
fuselage side sheets.
Step 52 - Fuselage Assembly (port & starboard sheeting)
Now it’s time to attach the side sheeting to the internal plywood
fuselage frame. You’ll note that there are 4 tabs which protrude
each side of the plywood frame. These tabs will fit into the slots cut
into the fuselage sides.
Test fit the both side sheets the plywood frame, making sure you
place the port sheeting (slightly longer side) to the port side, and
the starboard (slightly shorter side) to the starboard side. Ensure,
they align correctly when brought together at the rear of the
fuselage. Lightly sand as necessary, then when satisfied, remove
the port side and apply glue to the port side of the plywood fuse
frame between F3 and F4 (the flat portion). Refit the port sheeting
to attach it in place. Once the glue has cured, flip it around to the
starboard side and do the same to glue that sheeting in place.
When dry, apply a bit more glue on the forward, side sections of
the plywood frame (from F3 up to F1) and bend the side sheeting
inward on each side to glue it in place.
sanding is needed to bevel the sides of F2 to obtain a secure fit.
F2 needs to be flush against the front of TR1, and the tabs from
both fuselage sides need to be inserted into the pre-cut slots in F2.
When satisfied on how these pieces go together, it’s time glue
things in place and we recommend using epoxy for this step for it’s
extra strength and working time.
You may also need to use a couple of clamps or some masking
tape to hold everything in position securely while the glue dries.
Step 47 - Fuselage Assembly (F1)
F1 is now glued into place on F2. If
you’re using the Apprentice motor
setup, attach it so the etched mounting
diagram is facing out, as shown. If using
another powerplant, then flip the piece
over, hiding this etching.
Step 48 - Fuselage Assembly (F4)
Locate F4 and LP1. This is
glued in place to the back of
this assembly, as shown. Make
sure that all of the tabs are fully
seated in the precut notches.
When finished with this step, this
completes the initial assembly
of the internal plywood fuselage
frame. It should look like this.
Take this time to double-
check that all the joints are
securely glued. Don’t add
excess glue as it adds to the
final weight, but be sure all
pieces are firmly attached
and add glue as needed -
especially around the higher
stress WH1/WH2, WH4 and
LG1/LG2 areas.
Step 49 - Fuselage Assembly (side sheeting - front half)
Locate FSP1 and
FSP2 from BP4. These
two pieces are glued
together to form a larger
piece that makes up the
front half of the port side
fuselage sheeting.
Use the same technique
that you used to join the
wing sheeting together back on step 22 regarding edge gluing
sheets together, to make sure you end up with a nice, flat joint.
Also locate FSS1 and FSS2 from BP5. These two pieces are glued
together to form a larger piece that makes up the front half of the
starboard side fuselage sheeting.
No, the plans aren’t shown in this photo,
as they didn’t exist for this prototype -
but you have them, so please use them
so you don’t end up with a mis-aligned
fuselage in later steps.
Alignment
tabs
