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Thread: Different Rudder Profiles?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2023
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    Default Different Rudder Profiles?

    What's up with the different rudder profiles I'm seeing on the series 7 models? I'm not sure how I never noticed it before until now but some series 7 rudders are curved at the top rear and some are square. Does anyone know what the purpose if any this serves? I'm assuming the curved profile may be easier to cover. I was looking through pictures of other builders projects last night and I noticed that some were curved and some were square and I don't remember ever seeing this mentioned anywhere before. Anyone have any insight? I found one picture and it appears in the drawing on the Kitfox website where it shows tricycle gear vs conventional and it appears the tri gear has the curved profile. Is this actually something some people are converting when switching to conventional gear or does it not make any measurable difference?

    tri-tail vs con tail.jpg

  2. #2
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Oct 2008
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    St Paul, MN
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    Default Re: Different Rudder Profiles?

    Jared,

    Nope, none of the above...


    When John Mc Bean acquired kitfox, the squared off rudder was a modification to differentiate the aircraft from previous versions produced under skystar.


    Pure and simple
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  3. #3

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    Default Re: Different Rudder Profiles?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave S View Post
    Jared,

    Nope, none of the above...


    When John Mc Bean acquired kitfox, the squared off rudder was a modification to differentiate the aircraft from previous versions produced under skystar.


    Pure and simple
    Oh awesome, now I know and knowing is half the battle! LOL. I was completely confused because the original owner of my kit purchased it as a tri gear and I just checked and mine has the squared off rudder. That makes sense and now I know how to tell if an S7 is a Skystar or McBean version or at least the rudder. Thanks




  4. #4
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: Different Rudder Profiles?

    Jared,

    Some builders with the rounded off rudder have replaced their Skystar version with the Mc Bean version - keeps us on our toes, you see.

    As builders, we are a sincerely creative bunch!

    For giggles and grunts, the main difference between the tailwheel and nose gear is which end the little wheel is on <GRIN>


    Enjoy your plane & fly well!
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

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