construction problem
 

I've made a monumental screw up.

I'm building a swoose, and have put the horizontal stabilizer on 3/8" too high. I put it on top of the main rail along the fuselage instead of cutting the rail and putting it in the centre. That wouldn't normally be a major problem, but the fuselage is now sheeted, and the rudder post prevents me from sliding the stabilizer out the tail. If I want to get the stabilizer out, I have to take the fin out and that involves major surgery of the fuselage sheeting.

This will be compounded, in a small way, by the thrust line. It should be at the top of the rail along the fuselage, 3/8" higher than the stabilizer, but because of the fact I'm using a 4 stroke with consequent heavier mounts, I can't get the thrust line to that far above the stabilizer (and because the stab is 3/8" too high!!).

How will this affect the handling? I have my views on it, but would like to hear from those more experienced with construction and aerodynamics that I am.

RE: construction problem
 

In my opinion I beleve the changes if any of the flying characteristics would not
be impacted, particularly on the Swoose which is not neccessarily an old timey floater its fairly quick and responsive. While I do not have one a float flying friend does and i have watched it fly many times.

Its such an attractive airplane I have considered doing one myself.

John

RE: construction problem
 

Guys used to move stabs up and down to trim out coupling. They were usually pattern flyers working on their own design. I wasn't one of them, but remember watching in amazement. From what I remember, the problem they were trying to solve was not one anyone other than a pattern flyer would have considered a problem.

Coupling usually isn't a big deal for most modelers. And you might even get less. In any case, it'll only be more or less, not a measurably different flying model.