I'm fixing to start rounding off the Rudder and Elevators for my TF Corsair and curious about the process everyone used to create their scale hinged areas. I've searched the boards and found a few vague descriptions. I'm more curious about the tool/tricks everyone uses to get the rounded edges. I know it's one of the most sought after mods to make things look more scale.

I don't know of a trick to make an edge rounded, just some elbow grease will do!

For the skin on the fin and stab I use a metal ruler and a sanding block to make a 1/64" indent in the balsa skin.

Glue the 1/64" ply skin in place with medium CA.

When I glue the skins on I left a 3/16" overlap over the hinge area.

last picture shows the stab, notice that the hing point is set at about the end of the 1/64" plys edge. Also notice the centerline drawn on for proper hinge alignment.

After you round the edge of the elevator and rudder I use a dremel to enlarge the hole a little. Don't overdo this, the hole can be quite small. If done properly it will be completely hindden. Notice the line I use on the elevator to help with the sanding, don't sand the line off!

Dion

While it's applicable to giant scale efforts, the may be an item or two of interest on scale hinging on my web site, under "Photo Albums", "Scale Hinging".