Lightening the GP Skybolt
OK, I got this sexy biplane for an Xmas gift, and have the tail feathers built, and the fuselage started. I have read that this plane builds tail heavy (an understatement by some), and needs to be lightened in the tail section; aka, get some junk outta the trunk! I hope to fly mine with a Saito 100 (Magnum 120 would be nice, but cannot come up with the cash right now). Can a guy cut two large rectangles out of the rear fuse to lighten it up a bit? Just remove the balsa rectangles on the fuse sheeting that the doublers have removed already? Would I compromise strength that way? Any other suggestions? I have read every thread I could find on the subject, but nobody has done what I have proposed, near as I can tell. Only other mods I have planned is to go with a Sullivan tail wheel. I look forward to a response. *cough* Minnflyer...