Hi, I don't mean to be contrary, but it seems to me that in flying we often use both elevator and rudder at the same time (i.e. how many of you use up elevator and rudder to hold a thermal turn?) In which case the X is fighting itself, and the V isn't. For rudder only, the X tries to roll the wrong direction too, but admittedly to a lesser extent. You also have a greater aerodynamical wingspan on the V, reducing induced drag (theoretically, if properly designed, etc) (I think)
So, personally, I come up with the opposite conclusion - V-tails for the purist. :) I think they look nicer, too. I'm not even sure if that's worth 2 cents. . . Paul --- Anker Berg-Sonne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Is that the best you could come up with? ;-) > > Aerodynamically the X tail is most efficient because > no surfaces work > "against" each other. When you apply up or down > elevator to a V-tail, you > try to spread the tails when giving up and push then > together when giving > down. Also, when applying rudder on a V-tail it > tries to work bit like > ailerons, applying a rolling force, unfortunately in > the "wrong" direction - > opposite the normal aileron. > > HOWEVER, the V-tail is less susceptible to damage on > landings and can be > made lighter, AND the forces mentioned above are > very small compaed with the > other forces. IN ADDITION, flying stabs seem to > develop a lot of slop over > time. ALSO, if it is a flying stab a little way up > the vertical fin, you > generate a bit more drag from the intersecting > surfaces. > > I think it boils down to pure and simple preference. > But for the purist, > X-tail is the way to go. > > Personally I prefer V-tails. > > My 2c. > > Anker ===== Paul Griebenow AD5OF HCR 74 Box 17 Ft Davis, TX 79734 (432) 249-0193 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
