I thought this would be an interesting topic...not only that, I'm close to cutting out my elevators for my 1/4 Lanier Extra 300S. From a percentage standpoint, the plans call for approximately 30% of the horizontal stabilizer to be used as the elevator with no counterbalances. I am assuming this would be inadequate for 3D flying. Does anyone have any suggestions for control surface sizes for the average 1/4 scale plane?

Rougly 60/40.

60 elev
40 stab.

In your opinion, what is a good percentage for the rudder?

Proably close to the same. 60/40. Rudder - fin.

How much do the plans call for?

Plans show approximately 60% rudder/40% stabilizer, which includes the counterbalance. Visually, it appears as though the entire surface is cut down the center. By the way, thanks for your input!

Generally I would trust the designers. They pretty much know what people are going to be doing with their planes and design accordingly..

grebner1......Im doing the same thing but on a small scale. Im doing it to a .40 300. The rudder was bearly 50/50 and the elevator was 75//25 stab/elev. Now the elevator is about 50/50 and the rudder is 25/75 fin/rudder. Its a little hard to see but look at the tail and tell me what you think.

heres another.

Looks nice!

What motor for it?

I am putting a os 50sx in there. I might try to put a tune pipe in it. Dont know yet. Plus i did abunch of stuff to get the wieght down. I dont think theres any thing in it stock. hehehe.

click on the www on the bottom and you can see a lot more of it. Just go to ITS HERE.

Is it the GP .40 sized?
I had one. Nice plane.

I did.

Very nice.
Whats it going to be covered like?

ya thats the gp. Cant wait to see how it does with the sx tail on it. I didnt change the ail at all. If it flys real good that i will have to make a new wing. I made the wing diffrent that the kit. Cut my own ribs and used 1/4 x 1/8 spruce spars. The wing is REAL light. Still trying to get some more wieght out of the fuse.

I still dont have a scheme. Im lousy at thinking up scheme's. Got any idea's?????????

I was trying to find a pic of mine. I dont know what I did with it. If I find it I will post it.

I had one too and built it stock except for replacing the built up elevators for solid. I ran a saito .80 4c and didn't take ANY additional measures to lighten, so I ended up with a squirly, overpowered plane. I covered mine just as Great Planes did on the cover of the box using monokote for everything. I printed stars from my pc and laminated them onto red monokote, cut them out, and applied. I did the same with the blue stripes running the span of the wing, stab, and fuse. I prefer regular monokote over decals and adhesive-backed colors because it (in my opinion) is much more permanent. I've never had a problem with my trim delaminating. Boy, did I love that plane!