i really appreciate all the support abufletcher, thank you. i built the rudder today and covered it. i was going to use laminations for the rudder and elevator but decided to use aluminum tube. it's a little trickier to work with but looks better. before i cover any thing metalic i use some balsarite mixed 50/50 with acetone on the metal it keeps the covering in place when you go to shrink it with a heat gun. here are some pics of the rudder. BTW my hands and fingers are really beat up and worn down, split and every other darn thing so have mercy on the close ups of my fingers. i think if i went to a manicurist they would run out of the room screaming.