Fin sections or lack thereof

[Alan Simmonds]

Hi Tom

Interesting question.  I too like to have a proper airfoil for the
fin/rudder but I suspect that aerodynamically it's so close to being a
flat plate (in terms of % thickness), it makes little or no difference.

On the other hand... Having a fat L/E like the PL/ZN designs 
  A)makes it easier to join the two halves in the mould, and 
  B)increases profile drag a little to help slow the model in downlines.

Regards
Alan

-----Original Message-----
From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]
On Behalf Of Koenig, Tom
Sent: 18 December 2003 01:21
To: 'Discussion'
Subject: Fin sections or lack thereof



Ok Guys...since its quiet.....

First of all, Merry Christmas to you all...nice warm 86+ deg F here (
too hot actually)

Have any of you considered why so many late generation planes do not
feature actual airfoil sections on the fin and rudder?? It seems to be
prevalent on the European or any composite fuselages I have seen.

Since I've been designing  my own models for so long and only recently
turned to the "Dark Side" of building a couple of kits (ZN &PL).....I
was wondering why it seems to be the norm of not actually using an
airfoil for the fin etc. I have seen this on many other designs also.

To me it feels like flying a model with a flat ( non airfoil) stab.

Does anyone agree? Is it just that everyone is woossing out from a
little more building work?? Like I said, I find I get a better feel for
rudder, rolling, K/E by doing this.

Maybe I'm imagining this....maybe my model is just plain better <VBG>

OK...eyes ,ears and mind are open.......I'm willing to be educated

best regards

Tom



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