<span style="font-size: medium">Am building the Top Flite 1/7th P-51 Mustang, am up to the area where fitting the Elevators to the Stabilizer.

I have followed the plan to every detail but am a bit concerned about the Elevators, I notice that when youattach the Elevators leading edge to the Stabilizer trailing edgethe Elevators are much thicker than the Stabilizer!!!!

Is this normal with this plan? Do I have to sand down the surface area of the Elevators to match up with the trailing edge of the Stabilizer!!!!!!

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!!!

dutchy50</span>

How much is "much thicker"?

Can you measure them?

And is the elevator made from tapered stock?

Yep that's just what I'd do. Lay both out flat on a table and sand down the Elevators till they are just the same thickness as the TE of the horizontal stab. Really it shouldn't take much. When I scratch build and I need to remove a lot of material I sand with 80 grit sand paper to get it close to the right thickness then switch to 150 and then finally to 220.

There is a school of thought that says it is good to have the leading edge of the elevator a bit thicker than the trailing edge of the stab as it minimizes the possibility of flutter. Something about airflow separation. So, this may be a deliberate design feature, at any rate, it will work well.

The stab is double tapered as is the wing. The elevators and ailerons are made from double tapered TE stock. The Aileron stock will be thicker. Make sure you didn't mix them up.

I built one of those years ago. I don't remember having that problem. I thought there were some raised strips on the elev halves to make a more scale look??? Maybe I am remembering a different kit???

david

About a one millimetre or about 1/32inch on the top and bottom and the elevators came as tappered stock for the kit!!
dutchy50

Have you beveled the LE of the elevators yet? If not, a 1mm difference will disapear once they are beveled

MinnFlyer
Thanks for your feedback, I have bevelled the leading edge and has made the difference in the thickness!!!!
Thanks again
dutchy50

Good observation Minn

Sometimes I just get lucky

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