V-tail repair - guidance request

[dron]

I'm looking for some help with how best to approach a repair to an Acacia II v-tail. I've scanned the forums and not dropped on to an obvious solution I can latch on to although I guess it's out there!

One tail has taken what feels like a crush near the root. The surfaces are not broken but the top and bottom skins depress very easily. I've taken a 5 sec video which shows it better but can't find a way of loading it...

The leading edge (carbon?) behind the skin feels intact although it does look thinner near the damaged area. The root itself feels intact. Under vertical strain the damaged tail is definitely weaker than the undamaged one so I need to do something to repair/strengthen. The v-tail can be removed easily and I do have access to another Acacia II if a pattern is required. 

I'm not experienced in these repairs so go gently, please! I'm probably after practical more than pristine.

Cheers

Mark

[Phil.Taylor]

Easiest would be a simple external repair - wide strip of glass cloth & epoxy - from the LE to the hinge line. Maybe 150-250g cloth. Definitely use laminating epoxy - I get mine from Bucks Composites - they sell fairly small amounts.

Mask off the rest of the tail before you start. Sand off the paint if you can where the glass will be.

Phil.

[MikeE]

Hopefully this link will work.

I have used this method on several tailplanes and wing tips. It's very quick, light and works great if skins are ok.

  https://www.barcs.co.uk/forums/topic/8705-tailplane-repair/?do=findComment&comment=163323

[dron]

Excellent, thanks guys. 

Mike, the link worked, I'd seen various comments on other topics referring to this method but never found the source! The skins are a bit too damaged and I feel the need to reinforce the leading edge a little so I'm pretty sure I'll have a go with glass/epoxy as Phil suggested. Having said that, I've got a wing tip where the method would be ideal so I plan on having a go on this tailplane first as practice, that way I'll learn a bit and strengthen the skins prior to sanding the paint off.