Brief Description: Assembling & installing Vertical Fin
Assembling the Vertical Fin I found the diagram on Section 6 page 3 to be really useful in conjunction with the step by step instructions. The diagram on page 4 not so as it is not relevant for this section. The photos are a bit confusing as they imply that you assemble the parts of the Vertical Fin in the Boom Tube, but you don't. You assemble it completely first and then install the whole frame into the Boom Tube in a combination of steps 6.1 and 7.1. To fit some of the ribs into place (this goes for other frames in future sections) you have to trim the plastic Rib Insert to an angle (I used a Dremel) and carefully ream its rivet hole to the same angle. Then the rib end has to be cut to the same angle (I used a hacksaw and "mitre box"). Be careful not to shorten the rib too much! My @#$%$# air riveter fell apart installing one of the aluminum AB6-8A rivets. The linkage pin in the trigger mechanism disappeared and whatever I tried to MacGyver together only made it worse. Fortunately my hand riveter could handle these aluminum rivets so I could finish the assembly. With a little grease the Leading Edge and the Trailing Edge tubes slide nicely down into the Boom Tube sockets. Because of the aft socket it is tricky to install the nut and washer on the AN4-07A that fastens the Tail Wheel Saddle Bracket in step 8.1. The manual suggests taping the nut and washer to a wrench but I found a long magnetic screwdriver and a bit of tape to work more easily as a placing tool. Had to stop at step 8.2 as my manual riveter just can't pull those steel SB6-8 rivets. Rather the tool can do it, but my hands can't. I need to buy a better quality air riveter as I am too old to build up my hand strength.
