ORIGINAL: ekfinch
Still working to finish the seamaster. I have just been flying this spring and I wanted to get some more flying time before I take the Seamaster out. Two questions. The tail brackets are hooked using wood dowels. Do the dowels go through the fuse and then you attach the brackets to the two ends?
How does the spring loaded rudder drop down when you land?
I am looking forward to flying the plane, but I want to get it built right before I take it out. I broke my TT46 in and the elevator really did shake. So, the braces are a good idea.
Thanks for you help.
Keith
Hi Keith, yes, the dowel did go thru the fuse as an anchor point for the tail brackets. The rudder stays down unless it hits something to make it pop up. Then back down it goes to help control taxing.
I am putting together another Seamaster now - this one is an electric - and did the tail brackets a bit different. I ran a 1/16 brass rod thru the fuse, CAed in place, bent the ends up for the proper angle, and slid a carbon fiber tube over them. Secured with epoxy and microballons. Seems quite secure. Used a bit different angle. Brass rod also on the horiz stab trailing edge.
The rudder spring is quite flexible - made from thin MW.
HTH,
Joe