Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
In Greg's position, I'd zero-out the dihedral and build a 'false leading edge'extension onto the fin, keeping the rudder as is, or maybe adding a fixed ruddertab, to provide a bit moe bite perhaps. The 'false leading edge' would be fittedtemporarily, but of course, very carefully and safely so it doesn't comeadrift, and see what happens to the handling.Ultimately a new fin could be fabricated as you've suggested, which would stillconvey the character of the Pietenpol. I think the 'drooping' effect createdby the zero dihedral wing, while not uncommon among straight winged biplanes,parasols, an high-wingers, is partly due to the airfoil section which near thetip, due to the high undercamber and parallel chord with a squarish tip, createsa 'downswept' effect from some angles.I don't see anything wrong with this, which is anyway redolent of so many classictypes from that era, the Ryan NYP, Brougham, and American Eagle being excellentexamples.Cheers,Lynn________________________________________________________________________________Date: Wed, 01 Jun 2005 11:57:54 -0400