Giles 202 - 109" Construction Updates

Tail Feathers
The horizontal stab can be attached using the captive dowel method in the bottom of each half.  The front anti-rotation dowel must be at least 2" long and should be 3/8" diameter rather than the 1/4" dowels included in the kit.  The glass tube is very difficult to negotiate in terms of its alignment as you cannot get your hands on the two plywood pieces designed to hold and align those pieces. There is a hatch in the rear but it provides no access to this area.

To get more throw for 3D maneuvers, I sanded the trailing edge of the horizontal stabs (not the elevators) so that total throw would be at least 45 degrees. 60 degrees is probably the ideal.

Wing.
The wing anti-rotation pins need to be 3/8" dowels, each 4" in length (two per wing panel).  An easy but important fix.  I added a dowel on the bottom of each panel and tapped a 6/32 hole for an anchor into the end of the wing tube itself.

Fuselage.
The cockpit/hatch assembly provides terrific access to the inside of the fuse.  Modelers will come up with their own method of attaching this unit to the fuse. However, attaching the canopy  is another matter. Here is what I have done.  From the 1/8" plywood floor, I removed about 3/4 of this large piece, leaving a "framework" appearance.  I did this to reduce weight and so I could get my hand inside the canopy. I lined the canopy frame (exposed foam) with 1/64" plywood to give it a finished look. To attach the canopy, I have embedded five hard points and drill small holes through the clear canopy at these points.  In this way, the canopy is removable, the pilot can be attached, and there is no messy glue to attach and mar the canopy.

CG
The fuel tank must be over the CG so that when fuel is being used, the CG does not shift.  The CG should be 1/3 of the way back from the leading edge of the wing.