FlisKits Space Raider Build, Part 4, Fin Covers

An observation:

On the Forums I see a lot of builders papering fins. They'll paper on side, trim off the overhang edges. Flip over the fin and paper the other side. This leaves squared edges and open balsa grain on all sides. 

Try this:

TIP: Round the leading edge of the fin before papering. 

Lay a "mirrored" skin (shown in the second picture below) and roll it over the leading edge. 

You'll end up with a rounded leading edge, a cleaner look and less exposed balsa to seal!

   

The low (exposed) side of the fin leading edges are rounded.

220 grit took off the corners, 400 grit rounded and smoothed.

I wanted a rounded leading edge to roll the centerline of the printed fin cover over. 

I use a glue stick to attach the paper fins. Apply glue stick to one side and the centerline of the skin.

I don't recommend liquid white glue. It can oversaturate the 20 lb. paper.

Center the fin down the rounded leading edge and smooth one side. Pull and roll the centerline over the rounded leading edge.

Apply glue to the other side and burnish.

Here's on fin with a cover skin in place.

Don't worry if the paper overhangs the other edges, the covers are drawn up a little oversize to be trimmed off after the glue dries.

I used a single edge razor blade to shave off the overhang.

After that, a sanding block smoothed off the edge.

The fins on the available PDF are orange with yellow stripes, the reverse of what you see here.