TAIL FIN______________

Just because I've drawn the plan does not mean I must follow them exactly. One of the things I enjoy about scratch building is designing in the go. Right from the start I had chosen to add nav lights. The drawings I did for the tail fin are basic as you would find for most builds. It was a case of 'I'll worry about the wiring when I get to it.' Well, I've arrived.

I have the drawings as a guide but I've decided to sandwich a ply former between balsa sheets. This will add strength and give me room to feed the wiring and the resister I will need for the LED.

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I cut the centre former from a single piece of ply and used a hole cutter to give me a starting point for the jigsaw.

 

 

 

 

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Next, I removed as much ply from the part as I could without making it too weak. The jigsaw tends to rip at the edges of the ply but it is quick and easy to use. I'm not worried about the finish because it will be hidden under balsa panels.

 

 

 

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At this stage I have used a Bremel cutting disc to cut slots I the ply for the rudder hinges and pinned them into place. I have cut a slot at the top of the former so that I will be able to poke the nav light resister down into the small compartment when it and the light are soldered into place. I cut grooves, about half way through the rest of the struts to receive the wire. Place a small piece of cellar tape on each to keep the wires in place.

 

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Finally, I glue the side panels in place and sand it. Another part is ready to form the Twin Comanche.

(Note- You may notice that I have added two tabs to the bottom of the ply former. Although I did not include them in the plans I decided the the fin will be more rigid with these tabs glued or screwed into receivers in the fuselage. Just a little more designing on the go.)

 

 

 

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