Originally posted by TOMAPOWA
I would highly recommend that if you shorten the rudder (originally designed as a "balanced" rudder), you should also implement a pull-pull configuration vice a single pushrod. Snipping off the forward leading section of the rudder (the part that attempts to "balance" the rudder) would then require more torque to properly control. I guess if you are a using high quality, high torque (pref. coreless) rudder servo (single pushrod), you could get away with it. Just my 2 cents worth.
The forward portion of the rudder over the fin is still there just 2.25" shorter. There is still 1.75" of rudder remaining above the fin even after modification which should serve as an adequate counterbalance. I'm not sure aerodynamically what the change has done to the amount of force on the rudder but it could be possible that it has actually taken some load off due to not having to fight all of the coupling (pitch & roll) issues that used to exist? Somebody smarter than me would have to figure that one out. I am using a Hitech 5645 on the rudder with a 4-40 push rod. This servo has 133 oz. torque and also should be adequate.