From what I remember from those days, it was also used for cross wind landings. It helped to keep the plane flying straight. I have a 90% built Curare that I am dieing to get in the air. I changed the material used for the Curare to liten it up a ton. The turtle deck is built up and sheeted instead of the 1/4 and 1/2 inch balsa. Mine is at just over 5 pounds with engine, main gear retracts less radio. There is a pic here of it. http://www.rcuniverse.com/gallery/ga...memberId=14276


Dru.