I have just finished building a Gee Bee R3 Racer. I only bought the plane because it looks really cool (IMO). There have been many reports that this model (20cc 59 inch version) has numerous bad flight characteristics (ground handling, takeoff, snap tendencies, hot landings, etc). I have not flown the plane yet but I am very concerned about the maiden.

After checking all of the building issues pointed out by other modelers, I discovered I made a huge building error. The horizontal stabilizer has a slight curvature on one side and virtually flat on the other side, making it a "flying" stabilizer with some lift during flight. My problem is that I INSTALLED IT UPSIDE DOWN. THE FLAT SIDE IS ON THE TOP AND THE CURVED SIDE IS ON THE BOTTOM.

Although there is only a slight curvature on the upper surface, this stabilizer would be a lifting type stabilizer. The difference in the upper and lower surfaces are very minor which is why I did not notice it (dumb move in any case). I have been building and flying for over 20 years. This is a first for me and I am embarrassed to tell anyone about it. It will be an ugly job to remove the stabilizer and turn it over as I will have to remove one elevator half and cut out the stabilizer.

My thoughts are that, if I fly it as is, the tail will tend to drop as speed is increased. This may be offset by the 5 degrees of down thrust in the motor. In any case, some up elevator will need to be applied to keep the model flying level. This may add to the snap tendencies of the plane in turns and slow flight.

My question is, how will this affect the flight characteristics of the plane?