TOP FLITE T-34B Mentor GOLD EDITION

Model Airplane News, Aug 2004 by Corbett, Bobby

After you've sheeted the panels, open the wheel wells, add the wingtip blocks, and then carve and shape them. Then complete the flaps and ailerons along with their linkages, and join the panels and center section to complete the wing. It sounds like a lot of work, but there aren't any tricks or hidden problems; just follow the instructions.

* Fuselage. Building the fuselage involves two steps: build the bottom half right over the plans, and build the top after you've sheeted the bottom.

The crutch system is very important because it sets the alignment of the entire fuselage. Remember, the fuselage has specific left and right side parts that must be assembled correctly to ensure that you have the correct engine thrust. Take a little extra time to perfect the stab saddles; your efforts will pay off later. After you've built the bottom but before you frame and sheet the fuselage top, work out your servo installation.

Add the remaining stringers; then fit the stab and fin, and glue them into place. Work carefully and accurately here; you don't want a crooked airplane, do you? Add the turtle deck, sheet it and fair it into the tail feathers. Hook up the rudder and elevator linkages; they will be covered by the removable tail cone. Add the rest of the sheeting, and mount your engine. I chose an O.S. .61FX with a Top Flite incowl muffler and header. Build the nose-gear mount on the front of the firewall, and install the nose-gear retract.

* Finishing the final assembly. This includes hooking up the throttle and steering servos, mounting the wing on the fuselage and sheeting the front forward deck. Before you begin to sheet the forward deck, install the fuel tank and check all fuel connections because you won't want to fix a leaking tank later! I completed the fuselage and added the optional cockpit interior. It greatly adds to the model's appearance.

Unless you plan to make the canopy so that it can be slid open, it's best to screw it into place on the fuselage. I painted the canopy with Testors gray enamel and then attached it with no. 2x 3/8 screws. I painted the three-piece ABS cowl with yellow Top Flite LustreKote paint to match the yellow MonoKote that I used.

CONCLUSION

I've been building Top Flite kits since I started flying in the early '80s, and without exception, they are among the finest on the market. Their engineering and design are greatly admired in the industry, and you will agree when you assemble this one. When you've finished, your flying buddies will do all the admiring as you show off this excellent example of a military trainer at the field.

Futaba Corp. of America; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors; futaba-rc.com.

Great Planes Model Distributors (217) 398-6300; (800) 682-8948; greatplanes.com.

O.S. Engines; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors; osengines.com.

Pacer Technology (800) 538-3091; pacertechnology.com.

Robart Mfg. (630) 584-7616; robart.com.

Top Flite; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors; top-flite.com.