 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rudder |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The rudder was the first piece of the tail I started working on. Most people start on either the vertical or horizontal stabilizer, but the necessary jig was not available at the time. When the jig became available I shifted my efforts to the stabilizers. It wasn't until both of the stabilizers were complete that I was able to finish the rudder.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The top of the rudder houses a counterweight to improve control feel and prevent the onset of flutter. It was necessary to complete the vertical stabilizer before mounting the top of the rudder to ensure that adequate clearance existed between the two. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Once the stiffeners are riveted to the inside of the skin and it is all primed, the skin is placed in a jig comprised of two uprights with V-shaped cutouts to ensure it is not twisted. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The leading edge of the rudder is closed out by curling the skin around and riveting it down the middle. This proved especially difficult given the thickness of the skin and the general lack of easy access. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The rudder spar is then placed inside the skin for fitting and riveting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nearly complete. Only the lower half of the leading edge needs to be riveted and the counterweight installed in the counterweight holder at the top. The fiberglass fairings will be installed near the end of the project. On to the elevators! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The rudder horn at the base of the rudder spar is the attach point for both the rudder cables and the tailwheel springs. It wasn't until after I had drilled it in place that I noticed it was at an angle. Sooo.... I ordered another one and did it again - straight this time. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
back to main page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|