Tail Configurations?

[RockyMeLad]

Yo Dog,

It may just be semantics, but the leading edge should be more "rounded" than "tapered" and the trailing edge "tapered". Think of a symmetrical wing airfoil with some flat space in the middle instead of a continuous "curve".

Haven't done the "tufts" thing on the HS. It is a symmetrical airfoil shape. Before installing, I held one side up in the wind and slowly twisted it. There was no sharp "break" like with a flat plate the same size. Not "scientifically" measured such as the tufts commonly used to detect separation on fixed wing airfoils, but is still an empirical test that indicates IMHO that the airfoil shape is "better" as an HS. May not be significantly better, as there are several very successful HS using "flat plates" with half-round edges all around.

Although such a test would be interesting, I'm off building another bird, so will let someone else run with that ball.

[RockyMeLad]

Originally Posted by Dirtydog

I have to sand my tail tomorrow and bring it home from work to get it ready to put the finishing touchs on it. Micro bubbles!

Yo Dog,

Micro balloons or bubbles are great. If someone hasn't already warned you though... please wear a good filter/respirator when using them. They seem harmless, but inhaled can result in silicosis. No cure, so prevention is all there is.

In absolutely still air the micro balloon "dust" settles in a few minutes and can be wiped-up with a wet rag when you're done.

[Dirtydog]

Got a double air filtered mask for ZEP years ago for paint golf carts. it is like a fighter pilot air mask! Never had a problem. I was using it while I was sanding.

On the all pieces I measured in 3" and made a mark or line. On that line I sanded or put a tapered edge on it and also round it. I don't like having to do thing twice. the first tail is done!


T-TAIL
I am not to happy with my tail feather that I started off making. well I cut out a different tail feather with the scrap piece that I had left over. Well NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL A TAIL! Take a peek! Please tell me what you think and which on you would use please.
The tail has not been shaped, I just cut it out and placed it there for pic.

[Dirtydog]

Well I sanded my tail tonight to try to get together to see how it was going to stand up. comments!

I have not install the down tubes yet. I had to oder some small tubing. Also I had to get some of the small U brackets. I hope that I will be getting them sometime this week. Also I am going to build a tall T-Tail. If you look at Dana's gyrobee you will see his tail is not much bigger than mine.

[Resasi]

Love the way your tail turned out DD, that looks really neat.

That pale pastel is really quite fetching

...Just kidding, I know it was that color to start with.

[Dirtydog]

Resasi
Heyyyyyyyy! I tried to find the blue but they were out. So get what you can. Give me a week it will be bumble bee yellow.

[Resasi]

It wasn't that color to begin with???

OK will be waiting for the yellow.

Also like the look of your suspension springs. We have solid blocks of a compressible plastic polyurethane to act as 'springs'. I have yet to see how they work, indeed they may work well, but I have never seen it used like that anywhere else.

[Dirtydog]

Resasi : I don't think the shock that I have are going to work if you ask me. I can move mine back and forth about 1/2" already and I have 0.00 on the air frame. I wounder how it is going to take the landings now! But I will have to see. been talking to someone else about it and has the same problem but worse than 1/2" more like 1" and only 20 hour I think on the shocks.

I spoke to Dan about the shock and he was going to try it!

[Resasi]

This is a suspension on another Hornet we went to see built by Roy Freeberg. Looks good and he is happy with it, I personally felt it might be a bit on the soft side.

We are going to try our poly set up first then if we don't like it might go this route. In any case both are better than the present Bensen one I am flying which is tyre pressure.

[Dirtydog]

Resasi :
First pic looks like motorcycle shocks. I would have thought that would be to stiff of a ride. I have been looking at a golf cart shock but don't know the travel on it until I get my hands on it.

I am not liking to install my muffler down. I want it up out of the way. I am going to have to talk to Ron about were to send it off to have it diped. Also I am going to have to install a 90 on the exhaust exit port to keep the heat from going into one spot on the prop. No good!

[Resasi]

Thanks for the heads up on the 90, good thinking.

The shocks were off a small Kart and quite soft.

The Poly ones can be made of softer material, it comes in different hardness's. Thinking of maybe having a couple for different types of surface.

Or instead of having the one big one, having it in three rings so you can vary the compressability by mixing different types of material.

Yes that coating is a great idea. The Bensen I fly has a dipped and after ten years looks almost like new.

[Dirtydog]

Resasi : not sure how much it will cost but I think it has to be sent off to somewhere in Charleston, SC for me. But if it will help keep the rust off it I am all for it.

[danmcgee]

In regards to the shock guys here is the ones I was thinking of using, they come in 450, 850 and 100lbs limits. I also am going to use this instrument pod and DD there is a nice red one for you. The pods are $79 and the shock $25 in ebay.

Dan

[Resasi]

Nice looking pods and shock Dan.

Yes some of the Rissington guys sent their exhausts off for coating as a group. I think it was in the region of $180 each.

[Dirtydog]

danmcgee : The little shock sure doesn't have much travel on it. Also mine has sideways play and it has O time on it. It is maybe 1/4" play. Might want to check it out!

Resasi : OUCH! Hey I just had to buy me a new bench sander from lowes. My other one was 25 years old fell apart. Craftsman $79.00 when I bought it.