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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  >


Tail

Step 1: Vertical Stabilizer / Rudder

Lay the parts for the vertical stabilizer over the plans and assemble. Note that pieces R-1 and R-1A are glued together to form the bottom end of the vertical stabilizer.

Do not put the dorsal fin (piece R-2) on at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glue pieces R-3 and R-4 together to make the rudder.

Glue a square of 1/4" plywood into the lower corner of the rudder.  This piece is what the control horn will be screwed into.

 


Tail

Step 2: Horizontal  Stabilizer

Lay the horizontal stabilizer parts over the plans and assemble. do not put the strakes (pieces H-1) on at this time.

 


Tail

Step 3: Elevator

Lay the elevators over the plans. From some 5/16" x 1" balsa, cut the counter balance ends to match the plans. Glue the ends onto the elevators.

 

Finish sand the elevators to shape by tapering the trailing edge and rounding the leading edge.

 

 

Test fit the elevator to the horizontal stabilizer to make sure fitment is correct.

 


Tail

Step 4: Elevator Wire Joiner

Using some 1/8" music wire, bend to shape the elevator joiner.  Be careful to make sure the bent ends are parallel to each other.  If they are not each elevator half will not be at the same angle.

 

Cut a piece of brass strip and drill a 1/8" hole in one end and 2 or 3 .055" holes in the opposite end.  This will be the control horn for the elevator.

Solder the brass horn to the music wire joiner in the position shown in the plans.  It is soldered 90° to the bent ends of the joiner.

It's easiest to solder this together with a propane or butane torch and some paste flux.

 

Drill 1/8" holes into the elevators at the location shown on plans and glue the wire joiner into the elevators with epoxy.

 

 

 

 

Hold the elevators up to the horizontal stabilizer and mark the location where the horn contacts the rear spar of the stabilizer.

Notch this area with a Dremel and sanding drum so that the elevator may pivot without binding.

 


Tail

Step 5: Hinge Tail Surfaces

Drill 1/8" holes into the tail surfaces for the hinge-point hinges.

Glue the hinges into the vertical and horizontal stabilizer.

do not glue the rudder and elevators to the hinges yet.  They will be covered first.

 


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