Construction of the tailplane

I started with the tailplane (well you've got to start somewhere) and I thought this would ease me into the build.

The trailing edge of the tailplane (where the elevator is hinged to) is first cut and pinned flat down, the rib positions marked on from the plan and then the ribs are glued on using cyano acrylate adhesive (Super Glue or just Cyano) being very careful to keep them square

I photocopied the ribs from the plan (x2) and spray-mounted them onto the 1.5mm balsa.

It's the first time I've built using this "up in the air method", I'm used to pinning things flat on the plan, and I was a bit concerned when I started, however my fears were not justified and it all went very smoothly.

Also, there is a warning in the instructions that, during the copying process, an error crept into the plan and one side of the tailplane is shown slightly longer than the other. However, being aware of it, it is easily remedied.

The leading edge is then fitted and the centre section filled with balsa. This has to be solid as the tailplane will ultimately be bolted to the fuslage.

When dry, the tailplane is removed from the building board and covered top and bottom with 1.5mm balsa.

Balsa tips are added and the elevator is then built "up in the air" onto the tailplane. The leading edge (LE) of the elevator is marked out by drawing round the trailing edge (TE) of the tailplane and then taped on with masking tape during construction.




The elevator trailing edge is 12mm wide x 1.5mm spruce or similar hardwood with 8mm x 2.5mm balsa at either side enabling it to be sanded back to fine edge.

The ribs and tips are then added.




The elevator is removed from the tailplane and the true 12mm LE added, which fits partly into the shroud formed by the 1.5mm tailplane sheeting.





I cut back the solid tailplane tips and extended the shroud with thin hardwood to allow the elevator to enter the shroud better.




The elevator LE is then radiused and Robart hinges fitted (but not glued) and the whole assembly sanded to shape.

0.5mm ply gussets were then rebated into the elevator ribs.

¼ scale Minimoa step-by-step build

This is my Chris Williams designed ¼ scale Minimoa build.

A chap called Barry Cole, who I met on-line, found out I was interested in building this model and, out of the blue, last Christmas, two huge plan sheets and a construction CD arrived by post!

It turns out he's a friend of the designer and frequent aero-tow tug pilot.

I can't thank him and Chris enough for all their help and encouragement, without them this model would never have been built.

The model is to be based on the Japanese registered JA 2547 which was originally built in the USA and sold to Germany as D 1163

This is a recent photo of the full-size in Japan.