18% Grumman Cheetah

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The Grumman AA-5X Cheetah/Traveler/Tiger Construction Process

Fuselage - Page < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >
Wing - Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >
Tail - Page 1 2 3 4 5 >

Fuselage

Step 10: Turtledeck

Glue the Turtledeck stringers onto the top of the fuselage at the proper stations. F-7 formers are glued onto the 1/4" balsa wedge installed previously. They are spaced 5/16" apart to allow the vertical fin to pass through.

Now glue on the 5/16" square balsa stringers.

After all the stringers are installed glue on the 3/32" balsa sheeting over the formers and stringers. It helps to wet the balsa to make it easier to form around the curves,

Fuselage

Step 11: Main Fuselage Bottom
Wing Tube Supports

Glue the 3/16" plywood fuselage bottom with epoxy. The lightening holes go towards the front. Clamp in place while glue sets.

Slide the aluminum wing tube through one side of the fuselage. Slip the wing tube supports over the tube with the notch on the bottom facing aft. Now slide the wing tube through the other fuselage side.

Now place the 1/8" ply landing gear doubler onto the fuselage bottom and slip it under the notches of the wing tube supports. Trace around the doubler with pencil to mark the location. Now slide the wing tube out and remove the wing tube supports.

Glue the doubler onto the fuselage bottom using the traced marks for reference when positioning.

Once the glue has cured install the wing tube again with the supports as done earlier and glue the supports to the fuselage bottom. Place them centered with the lightening holes in the fuselage bottom. Next glue some 3/8" balsa triangle to the supports and fuselage bottom.

Fuselage

Step 12: Front Fuselage / Firewall

Cut a 1" wide piece of 1/4" plywood to fit between the fuselage sides directly behind the firewall doubler. Epoxy this piece in place.

Cut a piece of 1/4" balsa from a 3" wide sheet to fit between F-1 and the 1/4" plywood strip that was previously installed.

From some scrap 1/8" balsa, cut a scab to go over the joint between the 1/4" balsa bottom piece and the 1/4" plywood strip.

Glue a piece of 1/4" square balsa along the bottom edge of the fuselage sides between the firewall doubler and F-1.

Open up the engine mount holes with a 1/4" drill. Hammer in some 10-32 blind nuts into the back side and apply a dab of epoxy over them.

Using 45 minute epoxy, glue the firewall onto the fuselage making sure it fits tight and straight. Spring clamps will assist in holding it tightly while the glue cures.