Next, Top Flite has the modeler build the fin and rudder. These were fun steps for me, although I wish the rudder tip block was a bit less of a block. I must have spent a solid hour just sanding that piece.

The Fin: The fin construction is fairly simple. However, it takes a bit of sanding of the ribs, leading edge core, and trailing edge to make the parts fit perfectly. Again I used a balsa shim or two after sheeting the fit to eliminate any gaps. Be careful when removing the jig tabs from the fin ribs!! The construction of these tabs has been one of my biggest pet peeves since beginning this kit. But, I'm not sure how else Top Flite could manufacture these tabs. Currently, they have large portions of balsa that is not die-cut, requiring you to either: tempt fate and 'break' the tabs off, or meticulously use a hobby knife to complete the die-cut lines. Not a big fan! Sure is better than making my OWN rib jigs, though! One thing that is of note regarding the fin of the Spitfire is the leading edge shape. It is not a straight diagonal line. Look carefully at the plan and at the real plane and you can see there is a bit of a bulge at the top end of the fin, blending in to the rudder tip. For some reason, the fin leading edge core did not match properly to the leading edges on this bulge, so it was necessary to add some of my infamous balsa shims and glue them in place, then sand them to match.

The Rudder: The rudder has required the most meticulous and time-consuming sanding so far (although I'm sure the wing tips will be more time-consuming). But this is something I enjoy. If you don't like sanding, don't buy this kit. Additionally, Top Flite did not provide die-cut rudder ribs. Instead, you have to craft your own from balsa stock. This seems straight-forward, and is with many kits. BUT, the Spitfire has a very unique, elliptical rudder profile. This means you can't simply use a large bar sander and grind away at the rudder ribs until they are have the typical V profile. What I did was began with a V shape that had some extra meat left on the trailing edge of the rudder. Then, I used my bar sander and a keen eye (and lots of patience) to create the elliptical rudder profile so it would blend beautifully to the rudder tip and root blocks that I meticulously shaped. Again, Top Flite supplies CA-type hinges for this aircraft. This is a love-hate relationship for me. I hate installing them and cutting hinge slots, but I love the performance of these type hinges! Woe is me.

The Rudder Tip: The only reason this is getting it's own description is to emphasize how helpful the Pro Tip that Top Flite lists in the manual regarding the use of a T-Pin to temporarily secure the Rudder Tip Block to the Fin to match the profile of the Tip Block to that of the already-shaped fin. Without this tip, or some similar matching method, your rudder tip will not match the fin profile.

I'm attaching a picture, and more will come shortly. Sorry for multiple posts, they don't all fit on one!