1/18 scale Flettner Fl-282 V21 Kolibri scratchbuil
Steering of the Fl-282 was achieved by a combination of the rudder and differential collective pitch change on the two rotors, but only the rudder could give steering during autorotation since collective pitch was then ineffective (another reason for the large rudder area). Rudder fin (of very generous area), was made of wood and covered by fabric, with max 40° deflection left or right. This large area was necessary because much of it was ineffective due to the poor aerodynamic shape of the fuselage causing rearwards flow separation and turbulence. The vertical stabilizer and the elevators were also made of wood, with plywood leading edge and fabric covering, bolted to fuselage frame.
As described into pages #29 to #32 of the ultra-detailed “
1/18 Fl-282 V21 kit building instructions” manual (which can be found
HERE as a downloadable PDF format file), the rudder fin’s slots should be aligned onto horizontal stabilizer's hinges as shown on the following pictures. I tried dry fit testing before the final gluing & part secured in place by adding a drop of cyanoacrylate superglue. Since the rudder fin can be instaled turned (with max 40° deflection left or right), the servo bars should be inserted into slots & placed as required. Notice that if the rudder fin is tilted left or right or neutral, the rudder pedals at cockpit area & nose wheel, should be also positioned accordingly.
The two horizontial elevator fins should be installed by inserting the 1.4 mm Ø pins through side openings of rear fuselage section as shown on pictures and securing in place with a drop of cyanoacrylate superglue. Keep in mind that if the horizontial elevator fins are placed tilted up or down or neutral, the cyclic / KG.13 control stick at cockpit area, should be also positioned accordingly.
Under normal conditions, each helicopter’s registration ID was duplicated under elevator fins. After all, there are many photographic evidences certifying this feature, just like the following picture showing the CJ-SK registered Fl-282 V17 helicopter, crashed at Travemünde on April 13rd 1944, while test pilot FliegerStabsingenieur (Luftwaffe Major) Gerhard Geike was attempting a “diving nose-down and then pulling back” technique landing.
However, there is a rare photograph of the already mentioned CJ-SN registered Fl-282 V20 helicopter assigned to Staffel 1/196 at Pillau AB as found & captured by the British Army, that clearly shows registration missing under the elevator fins. Luckily, the picture taken before helicopter been brutally disassembled, doped fabric ripped away & removed from fuselage, clipped rotor blades cut off & never seen again since that day and remaining framework wreckage with upper rotor transmission parts transferred back to UK as a War trophy and ended up as souvenirs.