From: "bob_chiang2 <rhc3@...>" <rhc3@...>
Date: Friday, January 17, 2003 9:42 AM
Subject: (No subject)
Date: Friday, January 17, 2003 9:42 AM
Subject: (No subject)
Mike and Paul,
You both asked about strengthening the balsa for a cruciform tail
(great looking model by the way).
I was also skeptical about using 1/16", but figured I might as well
start light and replace and beef things up if needed. All I did was
to wipe water based acrylic polyurethane on the tail surfaces and run
the edges through a puddle of CA glue. I did add a wire skid to the
bottom of the vertical fin (though it came off at some point, and I
haven't replaced it).
The only time I have broken the tail was on a missed catch, and the
model fell vertically down onto the tail. I am better off landing it
on the ground :)
The only weak spot I retrofitted with reinforcing is the leading edge
of the horizontal stabilizer right next to the boom. I think when I
land, weeds would slide along the boom and catch on the stab. So I
inset a piece of hardwood. Laminating a piece of 1/16" square bass
onto the leading edge (just like a free flight HLG wing) would be an
elegant solution.
If you want to reinforce the balsa with glass cloth, some folks use
water based poly instead of epoxy.