ORIGINAL: buzzard bait
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Increasing stab area allows one to move the CG back, and that can be very useful on scale models for two reasons:
1) Models land at much higher speeds relative to their size than full size planes and their wheels are smaller relative to the bumps on a typical grass field, and therefore models have a greater tendency to nose over on the ground. Moving the CG back decreases that tendency.
2) Scale models often have short noses, making them hard to balance. Moving the CG back obviously makes that easier.
I think that changes in stab area, within limits, are one of the least noticeable deviations from scale and also one of the most useful.
Jim
I disagree with you in points 1 and 2:
1) In exact-scale modelling maybe the nose over tendency represents a big problem, but in stand-off scale the usual trick is to slightly advance the landing gear axis a little, avoiding the nose over landing danger
, better and neater solution than oversized tail surfaces. Only trouble arises when the LG geometry is unusual (modification of fairings, size of wheels).
2) Never had encountered serious problems in balancing short-nosed fighters like the FW190 or the I-16, just a little "crowded" nose area......
Jose Antonio