Vertical fin leading edge

[Chuck in Indiana]

4130 for use with the Verner?

[Kamcoman77]

From what I've read over the last year or so, the 4130 is recommended as V. Stab LE. I used it on my XL and it seems very strong. I also used a 5/8" 6061 tube for the bottom rib since I read people were having trouble with the U-bend type rib bowing when shrinking fabric.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Excellent. Thanks for that..

[Mark Kramer]

So, I’ve pretty much completed my LEXL plans set I-77. Live in Maine and am waiting for spring for first flights. As far as the vertical stabilizer leading edge goes, I went per plans and used aluminum. Missed your post Kamcoman about using steel instead. I’ve since called Leonard about it he said as long as I built it per plans and rig it correctly, it should be fine. I am wondering if anyone out there has flown one with the aluminum leading edge. Or maybe I should ask has anyone experienced any cracking or failure of the aluminum one? I’ve been told that my Mosler CB40 will only produce 37 hp, so maybe it’s all good. How’s the build going Kamcoman?

[Kamcoman77]

Mark Kramer: Build is going slow but steady. Fuselage is tacked and hung up till warmer weather for final welding. Empennage completed and covered (no paint). I was going to assemble my ribs on the spars but I stopped to help a buddy build his XL empennage. Side project is building my 37 HP 1/2 VW (92mm x 78mm). I bought the case and rotating assembly from Scott Casler, am doing my own heads and assembly.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I am wondering if anyone out there has flown one with the aluminum leading edge.

Mark, *many* have flown with the aluminum leading edge as designed. I wouldn't worry..

[Tom H]

LE Treehugger, with Verner engine, still has the alum vert stab leading edge, as per plans.  The bracing wires from vert stab to horiz stab, both top and bottom surfaces, if adjusted to be fairly tight, will tie all these surfaces together.  The airplane speeds are about the same as before.  I see no issue with the alum leading edge.

From memory, I remember someone taking video of the tail group when flying, and the video seemed to show the vert leading edge "wiggling", not straight.  That could have started the preference of using 4130?  Seems the video distortion was later explained as an issue with the video frame rate, or something about not using the proper lens filter.

The bottom vert stab rib can easily be bent/bowed when the fabric is shrunk.  Some have added an additional brace from about the center of that bottom rib to the joint above (triangulate).  Something like a 3/8" dia alum tube would probably be sufficient.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The bottom vert stab rib can easily be bent/bowed when the fabric is shrunk.  Some have added an additional brace from about the center of that bottom rib to the joint above (triangulate).  Something like a 3/8" dia alum tube would probably be sufficient.

I had a piece of .025" 4130 laying around from a long forgotten project, and made the bottom rib out of that.


FWIW, I ran to HF and bought their cheapest pneumatic rivet puller. As usual with HF stuff, I took it apart and had a look at manufacturing and assembly, because that's what I do.  Normally with anything that comes from China that is "built to a price," design and machining are good. Assembly may be a little shaky.. so it never hurts to make sure it is torqued properly, etc. There were a couple of nuts that weren't tight, but other than that, it is excellent, and no doubt from the same manufacturer that makes the expensive ones. IMHO, they just paint them a different color so the reseller knows how much to charge for them.  Recommended.