36 MODEL AVIATION
Buiilld a by Roy Day
Join two sheets of balsa that are large enough for the vertical tail, in
this case. The author used 1/16 sheets for the center core for his 4-
pound electric-powered model.
See Temp is the author’s favorite template material. He has cut
the center core shape of the vertical tail.
ReemovvaabblleTTaaiill
Lightweight
An easy way to get your model’s tail on or off
1 2
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/22/10 1:23 PM Page 36
June 2010 37
Doubler blanks, roughly 1/2 inch wide, are cut from 1/8 sheet using a
balsa stripper.
Use a spanwise strip of 1/64 plywood to strengthen large surfaces—
the horizontal stabilizer in this case.
THERE ARE MANY techniques to use to build the tail section of a
model aircraft. In every case, emphasis must be on keeping it light in
weight.
One of the techniques I have used throughout the years, for a
range of airplane sizes, uses a center core of sheet stock, false
ribs, and doublers. This system is easy to apply to any shape of
tail, whether yours is a Scale subject or not.
Furthermore, following the steps I outline here, you can remove the
tail with a single nylon bolt for ease of transportation or to make
adjustments to it; e.g., changing stabilizer incidence. MA
Roy Day
[email protected]
Photos by the author
Add the 1/8 buildup material to the other side. Shape the surface
LE and TE with a medium-grit sanding block.
Glue a 1/8-inch LE alignment dowel peg to the vertical fin. Glue in a
section of 1/8 plywood, braced by diagonal stock, which will be
threaded for a nylon bolt.
Add 1/8-inch square false ribs and the strips of 1/8-inch doublers
along the hinge line, tip, base of the fin, and where the rudder
horn will be attached.
Install a 1/8-inch alignment dowel peg in the bottom surface of the
horizontal stabilizer to keep it straight.
3
5
6
7
8
4
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/23/10 10:30 AM Page 37
38 MODEL AVIATION
Using the main wing as a reference, clamp the horizontal tail in
position. Drill the hole for the #8-size attachment bolt.
With the stabilizer in position, slip the vertical tail into position
with its peg inserted in the last former of the fuselage. Reinforce
the peg receptacle as necessary.
When you are ready to hinge the surfaces, saw them apart on the
hinge line between the doubler strips.
Secure the entire tail assembly with one nylon bolt. Check your
work and adjust as needed.
Connect the elevators with wire or use a piece of dowel, as shown.
Reinforce the dowel with a strip of 2-ounce fiberglass cloth.
Drill and tap the plywood block on the bottom of the fin for the
attachment bolt. The bolt size might vary depending on model size.
9
11
12
13 14
10
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/22/10 11:53 AM Page 38
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/06
Page Numbers: 36,37,38
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/06
Page Numbers: 36,37,38
36 MODEL AVIATION
Buiilld a by Roy Day
Join two sheets of balsa that are large enough for the vertical tail, in
this case. The author used 1/16 sheets for the center core for his 4-
pound electric-powered model.
See Temp is the author’s favorite template material. He has cut
the center core shape of the vertical tail.
ReemovvaabblleTTaaiill
Lightweight
An easy way to get your model’s tail on or off
1 2
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/22/10 1:23 PM Page 36
June 2010 37
Doubler blanks, roughly 1/2 inch wide, are cut from 1/8 sheet using a
balsa stripper.
Use a spanwise strip of 1/64 plywood to strengthen large surfaces—
the horizontal stabilizer in this case.
THERE ARE MANY techniques to use to build the tail section of a
model aircraft. In every case, emphasis must be on keeping it light in
weight.
One of the techniques I have used throughout the years, for a
range of airplane sizes, uses a center core of sheet stock, false
ribs, and doublers. This system is easy to apply to any shape of
tail, whether yours is a Scale subject or not.
Furthermore, following the steps I outline here, you can remove the
tail with a single nylon bolt for ease of transportation or to make
adjustments to it; e.g., changing stabilizer incidence. MA
Roy Day
[email protected]
Photos by the author
Add the 1/8 buildup material to the other side. Shape the surface
LE and TE with a medium-grit sanding block.
Glue a 1/8-inch LE alignment dowel peg to the vertical fin. Glue in a
section of 1/8 plywood, braced by diagonal stock, which will be
threaded for a nylon bolt.
Add 1/8-inch square false ribs and the strips of 1/8-inch doublers
along the hinge line, tip, base of the fin, and where the rudder
horn will be attached.
Install a 1/8-inch alignment dowel peg in the bottom surface of the
horizontal stabilizer to keep it straight.
3
5
6
7
8
4
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/23/10 10:30 AM Page 37
38 MODEL AVIATION
Using the main wing as a reference, clamp the horizontal tail in
position. Drill the hole for the #8-size attachment bolt.
With the stabilizer in position, slip the vertical tail into position
with its peg inserted in the last former of the fuselage. Reinforce
the peg receptacle as necessary.
When you are ready to hinge the surfaces, saw them apart on the
hinge line between the doubler strips.
Secure the entire tail assembly with one nylon bolt. Check your
work and adjust as needed.
Connect the elevators with wire or use a piece of dowel, as shown.
Reinforce the dowel with a strip of 2-ounce fiberglass cloth.
Drill and tap the plywood block on the bottom of the fin for the
attachment bolt. The bolt size might vary depending on model size.
9
11
12
13 14
10
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/22/10 11:53 AM Page 38
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/06
Page Numbers: 36,37,38
36 MODEL AVIATION
Buiilld a by Roy Day
Join two sheets of balsa that are large enough for the vertical tail, in
this case. The author used 1/16 sheets for the center core for his 4-
pound electric-powered model.
See Temp is the author’s favorite template material. He has cut
the center core shape of the vertical tail.
ReemovvaabblleTTaaiill
Lightweight
An easy way to get your model’s tail on or off
1 2
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/22/10 1:23 PM Page 36
June 2010 37
Doubler blanks, roughly 1/2 inch wide, are cut from 1/8 sheet using a
balsa stripper.
Use a spanwise strip of 1/64 plywood to strengthen large surfaces—
the horizontal stabilizer in this case.
THERE ARE MANY techniques to use to build the tail section of a
model aircraft. In every case, emphasis must be on keeping it light in
weight.
One of the techniques I have used throughout the years, for a
range of airplane sizes, uses a center core of sheet stock, false
ribs, and doublers. This system is easy to apply to any shape of
tail, whether yours is a Scale subject or not.
Furthermore, following the steps I outline here, you can remove the
tail with a single nylon bolt for ease of transportation or to make
adjustments to it; e.g., changing stabilizer incidence. MA
Roy Day
[email protected]
Photos by the author
Add the 1/8 buildup material to the other side. Shape the surface
LE and TE with a medium-grit sanding block.
Glue a 1/8-inch LE alignment dowel peg to the vertical fin. Glue in a
section of 1/8 plywood, braced by diagonal stock, which will be
threaded for a nylon bolt.
Add 1/8-inch square false ribs and the strips of 1/8-inch doublers
along the hinge line, tip, base of the fin, and where the rudder
horn will be attached.
Install a 1/8-inch alignment dowel peg in the bottom surface of the
horizontal stabilizer to keep it straight.
3
5
6
7
8
4
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/23/10 10:30 AM Page 37
38 MODEL AVIATION
Using the main wing as a reference, clamp the horizontal tail in
position. Drill the hole for the #8-size attachment bolt.
With the stabilizer in position, slip the vertical tail into position
with its peg inserted in the last former of the fuselage. Reinforce
the peg receptacle as necessary.
When you are ready to hinge the surfaces, saw them apart on the
hinge line between the doubler strips.
Secure the entire tail assembly with one nylon bolt. Check your
work and adjust as needed.
Connect the elevators with wire or use a piece of dowel, as shown.
Reinforce the dowel with a strip of 2-ounce fiberglass cloth.
Drill and tap the plywood block on the bottom of the fin for the
attachment bolt. The bolt size might vary depending on model size.
9
11
12
13 14
10
06sig2_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/22/10 11:53 AM Page 38