Gary,
This sounds like a non-issue. In the 360 kit, the horizontal and vertical stabilizers are not connected to the kit, so either way you’d have to “graft” it to the fuselage. The vertical stab is the same, the larger tail adds a larger horizontal stabilizer and matching elevators. The vertical stab and rudder are identical between the two tails.
There are several people who have cut the small tail off of their 360 and added a large tail.
There will just be some cost with buying a new tail kit and using those components instead of whatever is missing out of the purchased kit. I see no problems with this approach.
-Rob
From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Gary Casey
Sent: Sunday, May 15, 2011 8:05 AM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Re: 360 Project for sale
I'm assisting someone that wants to buy a 360 project in my area. The uncertainty centers around the tail. I haven't looked at it yet, but I'm told the (small tail) elevators and rudder are missing. These parts are apparently unavailable from Lancair, so the theory is to buy a new (large) tail section, which apparently is available, and graft it to the fuselage. The buyer, who has built only metal airplanes, is nervous about the magnitude of the project and how the structural integrity is affected. I told him that while it is a significant project there is no reason to believe it couldn't be done and done well. Am I out to lunch on this? I think the price is right, or otherwise it would probably not be worth the effort..
Gary Casey
ES 157