tclaridge:

I downloaded a Clark Y profile, and then ended up making it about half the normal height for the chord of my tail. It might have a bit of positive incidence, relative to the lower wing, but that's all.

Before I did this, there were two modes of operation:

1. With the CG at the H9 recommended point of 4" back from the top wing LE, it was unstable. If I let it slow down to normal approach speed, then tried to turn, the tail would drop and it would try to spiral off. It was very stable on the ground, tho, with no tendency to nose over, and slowed down really well for landing.

2. With the CG at 25% (about 3.5") it was stable, but it wouldn't slow down for landing and on the ground during takeoff and touchdown it did not track well at all. Constantly veering off and digging in a wing tip. (Twatting, I think someone called it. Happened a lot.) Using rudder was no help. It was so bad that when I did the E conversion, I had to buy a new lower wing set because the original was banged up to the point of not being repairable.

The lifting tail canceled out the instability at the 4" CG point, is very strong (a 1/16 sheet balsa bottom and 4 1/4" square spars) and eliminates the need for the flying wires. The best part is being able to turn into the wind and nail the throttle and not have it balloon up, which is so characteristic of WWI models.

Bear in mind that none of this alters the truth that if you don't take off and land into the wind with this bird, you'll get into trouble in hearbeat. Anyone who says they can do that in crosswinds is pulling your chain.