Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle Hardware Installation Tips

Preparation:

1. Clean Hands and Area: Keep your workspace and hands clean to prevent debris from interfering with installation.
2. Check Fit with Guides: Before drilling any permanent holes, ensure your hardware fits securely with the provided hole guides to avoid damage.

Drilling and Installation:

1. Pilot Holes: Start with small pilot holes to ensure accurate placement.
2. Hole Size: Match the final hole size to your hardware.
3. Hardware Choice: While pop-rivets are recommended for ease and durability, nuts and bolts can be used if necessary. Use washers if you need to, but make sure your rivets are the proper length.
4. Stepwise Installation: Install one piece of hardware at a time and check for fit before drilling additional holes.

Gate Hardware:

1. Remove Gate: Remove the gate from its metal housing.
2. Align and Mark: Align the housing inside the shuttle and mark the two gate holes.
3. Drill and Install: Drill the pilot holes, insert the housing, and install the gate.
4. Rivet Hole: Mark, drill, and secure the rivet hole with a pop-rivet.
5. Secure Opposite Side: Use double-sided tape or hot glue to secure the gate on the opposite side.

Switch Hardware:

1. Align and Mark: Position the switch hardware near the guides, ensuring alignment with the gate.
2. Test Gate Function: Verify that the gate depresses the switch arm.
3. Drill and Install: Mark, drill pilot holes, and install the switch hardware with pop-rivets.

Mounting the Shuttle:

1. Temporary Attachment: Drill a hole using a bump guide and temporarily secure the shuttle to locate the second hole.
2. Mark and Drill: Mark the second hole location and drill permanently.
3. Alternative Methods: Consider other methods like using a marker in the screw hole.

Refer to Photos: For visual guidance, refer to the provided photos demonstrating hardware installation.

Note: Always double-check alignment and fit before drilling permanent holes.

Sticker Installation

1. Left wing – place on the left wing as shown in photos.
2. Right wing – place on the right wing as shown in photos.
3. Left flap – goes behind the left wing in the flap area.
4. Right flap – goes behind the right wing in the flap area.
5. Tail fin – goes on the back tail fin and wraps around the back on both sides.
6. Fuselage – place fuselage sticker starting at the back and align it straight down the middle and wrap the edges down each side equally.
7. Cockpit – place on the flat portion of the nose cone near the top of the shuttle as shown in photos and wrap around the sides.
8. Nose cone – start by aligning the white tab just under the center of the cockpit sticker (should touch, but not overlap) then affix the middle part of the sticker down the nose cone prior to rolling each side around the nose cone of the shuttle. Fold over any excess sticker to the inside of the shuttle or cut with scissors.