Question re: plastic tail piece part

[coupe1942]

This is someone else's photo, but it shows the part I am asking this question about. I just want to know if the plastic piece identified with the yellow arrow is glued into place from the factory or not? I originally attempted to remove mine, but didn't try to put much force in doing so at the time and the part didn't come right off. Yes, I had the two screws removed at the time. :-)

The reason I ask is that I didn't want to ruin anything by pulling the plastic piece off if it will tear out the foam beneath it, but I wanted to do some strengthening of my tail area and thought that beneath the plastic may be a way to add in some support skewers or rods in the foam. Not sure if I'll follow through and do it at this point, but wanted the info just in case.

Thanks for any into.

[Crazy Horse]

Hi Coupe42,
With mine, I just inserted two wooden (Bamboo) skewers, parallel with the fuselage. The pointed end penetrates the foam easily and I just cut the surplus off. Then some clear packing tape around the area. On another, I cut a longer piece of thin plastic from a food container and glued that over the original piece. Had no problems so far. Remember to check C of G afterwards, everything makes a difference. The Cub is very forgiving but it only takes a moment to check.

[renard80]

The narrow tail area of the fuselage is notorious for breaking in a crash and you are wise to strengthen it.

Besides the admirable advice from CH, an alternative method is to carefully insert long carbon fibre rods from the tail end. That is my preferred method. Carbon fibre is strong yet light.

A friend strengthens that narrow area by gluing flat pieces of wood on each side. He uses flat ice-lolly (US = popsicle ) sticks. McDonald's wooden coffee stirrers would also do. I don't like this method, but only because it looks unsightly.

[iandhunt]

I also use Carbon Fiber but I get mine from those cheap arrows hunters use for target practice.