Hi all-

I'm in the middle of building a Balsa USA Fokker Eindecker .40. For those who are not familiar, this is a sport scale kit that uses ailerons and split elevator/rudder. The original Eindecker had wing warping and full flying tail surfaces.

I read somewhere a while back about a fellow who modified the .90 size Eindecker with a full flying tail. I think he used aluminum tubing and wire landing gear mounting blocks for the pivots. I was thinking about doing the same for this model.

Specifically, what I'm looking for is ideas on what to use for the pivot on the elevator. The stock surfaces on this kit are 1/4 balsa sheet. My idea is to make framed replacements built around a 5/32 tube or rod that I can run through landing gear blocks in the fuse. I don't want to use music wire due to weight. Aluminum tubing would probably bend too easy under flight loads. How about carbon fiber pushrods? Or any other materials that might work?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Eindecker 40

K&S has what they call "tappable" aluminum tubing. It is a bit thicker wall than standard tubing, and seems pretty rigid. I bought several pieces of 3/32" for a future landing gear project due to it's rigidity.

I've seen some aileron controls that have prebent control arms running thru a sleeve that gets fiberglassed and epoxied to the trailing edge, leaving the control arms internal ... you might be able to find one or a pair big enough that will work.

Good Luck.

Ive thought about this idea myself,a 60" span model which i have on plan,uses ali tubes for pivot,and i agreed also,this would be not a sensible option due to flying loads,but the designer had built it this way with no problems,i myself have my doubts!!,and i dont think i would have much faith in it!!
I am still thinking of using piano wire,i have an eindecker 60" span electric,that uses a 10swg pivot,running in a brass tube bearing,and thats working great,it might be worth looking at that option still,and its really strong!!.
But i expect others will have other ideas!!!

Eindecker

Dear Fellow RCU'ers:

The PIPE Here yet AGAIN-and at

http://www.angelfire.com/indie/aerostuff/eindeckero.htm

is what I've found to be a GREAT place to get ideas on how to "kitbash" one of the Balsa USA Eindeckers!

Sure looks like it's ALL there-how to do the flying tail. MAYBE some help on wing warping, etc....just check it out and enjoy!

Hope this helps!

Yours Sincerely,

The PIPE!

ill try to include a picture or two of what i did. I purchased my first rc airplane 4 years ago with the intent on making a static display model. I purchased the 80" balsa usa eindecker. when i unrolled the plans i realized it was not to scale and just a close approximation. (my naivete). so i proceded to redesign the whole thing except for the wing (which i modified too). this took a couple months to draw out everything from three views i found and looking at old photos. The tail assembly i made should work for a flying model since my intent was to have all controll surfaces, propeller and rotary, moveable. I used brass tubing for the tail assembly. maybe this helps.

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