Pitbull 2 vee tail joiner repair

[Hugh Graves]

While looking carefully over the model I noticed some slight movement of the left vee tail.

The 5mm square section joiner that the tailplane slides over has a partial fracture just where it exits the fuselage.

My plan is to replace the 5mm square section, the problem is getting it out of the epoxy encapsulating it inside the fuse.

As it has not broken off yet I was thinking of getting some heat inside the tail in the hope that the epoxy will soften enough to allow extraction just by pulling. My concern with that is the risk of damaging the surrounding structure with the heat.

The other alternative is to physically dig it out with a small drill and a flat needle file.

Anyone out there done a similar job and can share some do's and don´ts

cheers

[Mikeb52]

I’m sure that the tail joiner is just one piece.  If so, you will need to get out what remains of of the broken side internally, including the good side. 
There is a post on here somewhere about this, but I can’t seem to find it. 
I would wait until you get one of the more knowledgeable flyers on here post some advice. 

[satinet]

The tail joiners are usually made in one piece in a vee shape.

You can get them out but it's a fiddly job. You can probably ordera new part from baudis but you'll have to realign it carefully.

Assume its a solid peice ?

[oipigface]

As an experienced destroyer of Pitbulls, I can confirm that replacing the V-tail joiner is not the sort of thing one would do willingly, but if it's bust I think replacement is your only option.

i) Order spare from Baudis.

ii) Remove old joiner. The first time I did a replacement this turned out to be really easy because the glue joints on either side had both given way. A little bit of wobbling and the what was left of the old joiner came out leaving a clean hole. Later attempts were more difficult, but all involved little drill bits, and square needle files. By the way, you say that your joiner is 'encapsulated' in epoxy. Unless Baudis have changed the way they build, I think you will find that it is just glued to the faces of the holes. In fact, I know that the glue is not entirely necessary. I have successfully flown a Pitbull with the joiner unglued, relying on the incidence pins and careful taping, just as one would with a wing joiner. The problem with the V-tail joiner is that doesn't settle naturally into the correct orientation to the wing, even though it keeps the tailplane halves at the correct angle to each other. In fact, I'd be prepared to bet that the only function of the glue is to keep the joiner at the correct angle relative to the wing.

iii) Tom's right then that careful alignment is needed when installing the new joiner. However, this isn't difficult if you've got space somewhere to keep the assembled plane in one position long enough for the glue to go off. First make a V-shaped foam support for the tailplane out of foam. (Baudis' packaging is perfect.) This is only needed to keep the tailplanes at the right angle to the wing, when viewed from the front - that is, symmetrical. Assemble the wing onto the fus, and put it on a table with the wings perfectly horizontal (viewed from the front). [Yes, I know there's dihedral, but I'm sure you all know what I mean!] This can easily be achieved with two foam blocks of equal height placed under the wing each at the same distance from the fuselage. Using slow epoxy (Araldite, maybe?) coat the eight faces of the holes with glue. You may want to add a little to the joiner itself, but since most of it will be wiped off when you push the joiner through, it's not entirely necessary. Now thoroughly clean any excess epoxy off the joiner and spray with a good release agent. (I use R5.) 

Once the joiner is in place, fit the tailplane and put the V-support in place under it. Make sure that the incidence pins are fully located. Tape the tailplane on. Leave it alone until you are sure the glue has gone off. 

That's it - except that you may want to add an extra fillet of glue to the joint inside the fus. You can do this if you take care with a cocktail stick manipulated through the rear aperture of the fus. Just make sure you keep the glue away from the pushrods!

The voice of experience has spoken!

[oipigface]

P.S.  Don't use heat! 

P.P.S. Best of luck!

[Hugh Graves]

Guys, thanks so much for taking the time to answer this. I did not realise the tail joiner was one piece. Yes i will get in touch with Baudis and get a replacement on order.