model 4 rudder

[grdev]

I'm just getting started to familiarise my self with the model 4 project I bought. I notice on some of the photos I have looked at the fin &rudder have ribs that have a fiberglass edge where their hinged On other models.. The kit I have looks like you just wrap the fabric around the fin & rudder frame, is this the case?

[jtpitkin06]

Some kits were purchased with a speedster option which included airfoil ribs for the vertical, horizontal, rudder and elevator. Many are built without the option. Advantages are slightly more control authority and a tiny reduction in drag. Disadvantage is an increase in weight.

If you are building without the rib kit you are correct... The fabric just wraps around the frame.

If you want the speedster kit give Kitfox s call.

John Pitkin
Greenville, Tx

[Av8r3400]

With a IV-1200 and later models you will have rod end bearings for rudder hinges. If you do not fabricate some type of faring, you will wind up with a sizable gap (several inches) between the fin and rudder. This gap will dramatically reduce rudder effectiveness.