Top Flite P51
03-24-2011, 09:06 PM
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Top Flite P51
hi guys, I just got my new TFP51 ARF last weekend and everything was ok until Igot to the point where I'm supposed to join the two wing halves, I found that both halves won't sit properly, I mean, if I join the halves by the leading edge, there will be a 2.5 mm gap between them at the trailing edge, if Ijoin the halves by the trailing edge, there will be a 2mm gap at the leading edge and the wing won't fit in the fuselage... can Ijust put a lot of epoxy to fill this gap at the trailing edge? should Imake some modifications so the two halves sit properly and even? what you guys suggest?
03-24-2011, 11:12 PM
#2
RE: Top Flite P51
ORIGINAL: chocorrol
hi guys, I just got my new TF P51 ARF last weekend and everything was ok until I got to the point where I'm supposed to join the two wing halves, I found that both halves won't sit properly, I mean, if I join the halves by the leading edge, there will be a 2.5 mm gap between them at the trailing edge, if I join the halves by the trailing edge, there will be a 2mm gap at the leading edge and the wing won't fit in the fuselage... can I just put a lot of epoxy to fill this gap at the trailing edge? should I make some modifications so the two halves sit properly and even? what you guys suggest?
hi guys, I just got my new TF P51 ARF last weekend and everything was ok until I got to the point where I'm supposed to join the two wing halves, I found that both halves won't sit properly, I mean, if I join the halves by the leading edge, there will be a 2.5 mm gap between them at the trailing edge, if I join the halves by the trailing edge, there will be a 2mm gap at the leading edge and the wing won't fit in the fuselage... can I just put a lot of epoxy to fill this gap at the trailing edge? should I make some modifications so the two halves sit properly and even? what you guys suggest?
03-25-2011, 01:39 AM
#3
RE: Top Flite P51
While ram's suggestion is the preferred method, you can get away with just filling the gap at the rear. Since the wing bolts are in the rear, they will do a lot more for strength than any glue joint.
But first, be sure that it's not the joiner that is preventing the wing halves from coming together. If it's a tight fit, you can chop a few mm's from the ends and/or sand the top, bottom and face a bit
But first, be sure that it's not the joiner that is preventing the wing halves from coming together. If it's a tight fit, you can chop a few mm's from the ends and/or sand the top, bottom and face a bit
03-25-2011, 07:22 AM
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RE: Top Flite P51
yeap, it is a two piece wing, I removed the wing joiner and still the same, now... if I sand the two halves so they fit even, won't this cause the wing to be weak?
03-25-2011, 07:44 AM
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RE: Top Flite P51
Weird. Sounds more like a nitro model than a Top Flight model. I think you should just sand the wing joiner a little and it should take care of your problems. Trial fit both wing halves together without the wing joiner to see if it is indeed the joiner then sand. Dont sand too much. Sand a little at a time then fit and sand again and refit. Should work no problem
03-25-2011, 07:57 AM
#11
RE: Top Flite P51
You don't want movement there. Hard on wing bolts and their holes. Here is what I would do under the circumstances. I would add 1/16" balsa to each half where the gap is, and with a straight edge, sand it straight. This will make the joint tight again. Quick, and fixed right IMO. Won't change how your holes line up either.
03-25-2011, 10:35 AM
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RE: Top Flite P51
ORIGINAL: capo915
Weird. Sounds more like a nitro model than a Top Flight model.
Weird. Sounds more like a nitro model than a Top Flight model.
03-25-2011, 11:28 AM
#13
RE: Top Flite P51
ORIGINAL: chocorrol
man, I'm as surprised as you are, lots of wrinkles everywhere, looks like they didn't have the time to sand the wood as it is all rough, looks like the covering was made by a 5 yr old and guess what? I tried to put the wing into the fuselage, it actually needs the gap at the trailing edge to be a little bigger 'cause otherwise the wing bolts won't fit... this is not the quality I expect from Top Flite!
ORIGINAL: capo915
Weird. Sounds more like a nitro model than a Top Flight model.
Weird. Sounds more like a nitro model than a Top Flight model.
03-25-2011, 11:47 AM
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RE: Top Flite P51
and that's what I'll do ram, it is easier to fill the gap with wood and epoxy than sanding the whole thing and modify the blind nuts location... thanks for the advise!
03-25-2011, 12:00 PM
#15
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RE: Top Flite P51
hey
i had the same thing dont sand use a wedge and glue but put the wing on frists and bolt it on to see if it fits before gluing and it will tell you how much wood needs to be added ,it hard to work with two halves so your going to need help , good luck here mine i change the colors into the gunfighter
i had the same thing dont sand use a wedge and glue but put the wing on frists and bolt it on to see if it fits before gluing and it will tell you how much wood needs to be added ,it hard to work with two halves so your going to need help , good luck here mine i change the colors into the gunfighter
03-25-2011, 12:40 PM
#17
RE: Top Flite P51
ORIGINAL: chocorrol
and that's what I'll do ram, it is easier to fill the gap with wood and epoxy than sanding the whole thing and modify the blind nuts location... thanks for the advise!
and that's what I'll do ram, it is easier to fill the gap with wood and epoxy than sanding the whole thing and modify the blind nuts location... thanks for the advise!
03-26-2011, 06:10 AM
#20
RE: Top Flite P51
Yep, I have had to use my electric power sander on both my TF Mustangs to get the gap a little closer.
Right where the big joiner goes is where that rib is bowed out a little.
A hand sanding block just isn't enough for this job.
Right where the big joiner goes is where that rib is bowed out a little.
A hand sanding block just isn't enough for this job.
03-26-2011, 10:51 PM
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RE: Top Flite P51
ORIGINAL: Mpizpilot
I think a replacement for a 2mm gap is a bit silly. It'll be easier and quicker to do the repair.
I think a replacement for a 2mm gap is a bit silly. It'll be easier and quicker to do the repair.
