Hi all,
The tailplane of this aircraft could be adjusted to either increase or decrease the angle of attack (AOA) of the tail unit.
Lifting the tailplane leading edge increased the AOA and lowering decreased the AOA.
Bracing struts were fitted between the tops of the king posts on the tail booms and the fins and also between the fins.
As the fin/rudder assemblies were fixed to the tailplane, if the AOA of the tailplane was altered, it meant the fin/rudders would move up or down with the tailplane.
Although the centre strut between the fins could be fixed in position, the outer struts attached between the fixed king posts and fins must have been able to move with the change in tailplane AOA.
With the tailplane AOA in the neutral position, the three struts would most likely be parallel to the tailplane when viewed from above.
If the AOA was increased the fins and therefore the outer struts would move up and rearwards.
If the AOA was decreased the fins and therefore the outer struts would move down and forwards.
My assumption therefore is that the end fittings of the outer struts must have been able to pivot to allow the struts to move as required.
This is all conjecture, but based on the fact that I used the optional photo-etch adjuster brackets and have the tailplane secure in the brackets at a decreased AOA.
This means that the fin end of the outer struts are slightly forwards when viewed from above.
As the distance between the king posts and fins is slightly increased, the kit supplied struts do not fully span the gap between them.
To avoid any problems for those who have not yet built their Caudron, I would advise having the tailplane AOA fixed in the neutral position to allow the struts to fit correctly and be parallel to the tailplane.
