Both the kits had die-cut balsa. The blades must of had been dull - the cuts didn't got all the way through on both sheets.
This is why you had to stack and sand fins!
Look at the die-crush on the trailing edges.
One set of instructions mentions rounding the leading edges. The other instructions imply the leading edge is left square. The fins are thick, I decided to make them a bit sleeker.
I checked Peter Alway's Rockets Of The World to see how the original fins were shaped. That looks like a very complicated profile.
But, the taper from the root edge to the outside edge could be added.
To better visualize the taper width when sanding I marked the outside edge.
A good wipe of CA glue seals the outside edge so the ink won't be absorbed deep into the open end balsa. The CA glue also strengthens the thinner outside edge of the fin. Don't do this on any area that will be a glue joint later on!
After the CA glue is dry, I did a quick pass with a Sharpie.
Using my Great Planes Easy Sander with 220 grit sandpaper the fin was tapered.
On the right is the before, on the left is the after.
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