Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

I'm building a TF Corsair and am using Robart hinge points as well as rounding the leading edge of the control surfaces. I want to use a strip of 1/64 lite ply to overlap the gap by about 1/2 cm to give it a better scale look. I have already sanded down the balsa to have the ply flush with the top of the stab. My question is how to best orient the grain of the 1/64 ply? If I run the grain parallel to the seam will it curl down or up? Should the grain be perpendicular to the seam for more strength. Thanks, Pete

Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

I'd put the grain perpendicular to the hinge line, and I'd also use 1/32" plywood.

Doesn't this fall outside the 25/25 rule, though? If you can't see it at 25 feet and 25 mph, why bother?

Roger

Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

Thanks,
I'm still going with the 1/64 as I don't want to add weight in these areas. Plan on doing this for Flaps,ailerons,rudder and elevator. Pete

Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

I have 1/64 on the trailing edge of the wing for the flaps on a Yellow Cap 10 B with the grain parallel to the trailing edge, no warping problem.

Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

Thanks,
I'm going to glass this plane with lacquer based polyurethane and I wanted to know if anyone who did this had any warping problems. Pete

Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

Mine was covered with Monocoat so you might want to make a dummy piece and see what it does with the polyurethane. As you know, it depends on the shrinkage. This is the surrest way.

Scale Hinge Seams, How to run the grain ?
 

Rocketman612:

For what it's worth there was an article in RC Scale International about this a couple years ago on this subject written by a Top Gun competitor (I will not use his name without his permission). He said the grain of the 1/64th plywood should run the same as the chord of the wing. It is much stronger this way. If it is run parallel to the wing there is a greater chance of breaking it off even if it is glassed. I have built all of my warbirds this way and have never had a problem with the trailing edges.