On my Taylor Monoplane the plans called for the spar face grain to be vertical for max bending strength. Has there been any reference to grain direction on the Eagle? Has Gaboon (Okoume) been used for spar webs? I have all the spruce cut and ribs made and am ready to order the ply for the spars and leading edge. A good article on butt joints versus scarf joints is in Sport Aviation December 1995 page 77 which require 20 T. for butt joint backing to transfer stresses.