3/4” Tailpost Question

[Shay King]

Hey guys, I’ve got the 3/4” tailpost welded into my fuselage. Only now that I’m making the vertical stabilizer do I realise that 7/8” would have been simpler.
I’ll have to add on that 7/8” piece shown on page 25.
Am I right in thinking that I’ll have to cut the top 2” of the 3/4” tailpost off and then weld on the 7/8” piece?
Picture below..
Thanks for all the help so far.

[Kamcoman77]

Great question. I'm not sure how I would try to add the 7/8" piece. From Leonard's drawings it looks like he cut the 3/4" post off level with the upper longeron and scarfed the 7/8" piece over part of it. FYI 7/8" x 0.058" tubing is a perfect fit for the 3/4" vertical stab spar. I discovered the 0.058" wall stuff earlier and just made my tailpost from 7/8" x 0.058". My vertical stab is a slip fit into my tailpost. I had some 3/4" x 0.49" 4130 on hand so that is why my upper rear longeron is not to plans spec.

[pappyadkins]

Also note, if you do the 7/8 tail post, you can use the 'upgraded' super lightweight tailwheel...

[Kamcoman77]

Pappy, that's a very good tip on the lightweight tailwheel and the 7/8" tailpost. Your modification of the original design is very nice!

[Shay King]

I’m sorry now that I didn’t pay more attention to that little note: ‘7/8” optional’.

[Kamcoman77]

You can always cut that 3/4" off and go with the 7/8"