Hi everyone. My question is how to properly taper an S1 Ringmaster fuse. I've seen some profile fuselages twist a lot. So, what's a reasonable amount?
Thanks.
Kevin

   I wouldn't taper the back end at all. Depending on what you will be using for power, it will most likely be nose heavy anyway and you can use the weight at the tail, and the plus side of that is better stiffness. I would just round off the top and the bottom and make the very rear end rounded off also. Leave the spot where the stab will glue on flat, of course. You'll get a better joint there also. I just don't think that it's worth the few grams of weight that you will remove only to replace with that and more in lead later on.

   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Quote from: Dan McEntee on February 07, 2026, 11:46:46 AM
   I wouldn't taper the back end at all. Depending on what you will be using for power, it will most likely be nose heavy anyway and you can use the weight at the tail, and the plus side of that is better stiffness. I would just round off the top and the bottom and make the very rear end rounded off also. Leave the spot where the stab will glue on flat, of course. You'll get a better joint there also. I just don't think that it's worth the few grams of weight that you will remove only to replace with that and more in lead later on.

   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Thanks Dan, I was dreading the sanding process. I will go with your advice!😁
Kevin.

As Dan says don't taper the fuse as shown.   I just rounded top and bottem and flew.   

Quote from: john e. holliday on February 07, 2026, 06:42:20 PM
As Dan says don't taper the fuse as shown.   I just rounded top and bottem and flew.   

Thanks for seconding that John. Nobody likes a flimsy flyer.

Kevin k

You can glue a piece of CF laminate down each side to greatly stiffen the fuselage behind the wing. If you put it on an angle it will help with bending and twisting. Just start it from below the trailing edge of the wing and go to the bottom of the stab.

MM

Kevin,
One addition you should consider is adding a large radius fillet (I like a carved 3/8" balsa angel stock) to fit under the stab and secure it to the fuse. This helps secure the stab and keeps it from twisting.

Best,   DennisT

Quote from: Motorman on February 17, 2026, 04:56:32 PM
You can glue a piece of CF laminate down each side to greatly stiffen the fuselage behind the wing. If you put it on an angle it will help with bending and twisting. Just start it from below the trailing edge of the wing and go to the bottom of the stab.

MM

👍

Quote from: Dennis Toth on February 20, 2026, 09:58:22 AM
Kevin,
One addition you should consider is adding a large radius fillet (I like a carved 3/8" balsa angel stock) to fit under the stab and secure it to the fuse. This helps secure the stab and keeps it from twisting.

Best,   DennisT

thanks Dennis 👍