Ok...finally made it back. "Baby" has had my undivided attention for the last few days. Got her pretty much squared away and ready to fly again so back to the Dalton. It's just amazing to me that an airframe can withstand a lot of pressure and abuse and still be worthy of keeping. Wasn't it Joe
@Joe Hunt that asked the question, "When is an airframe all used up?" The Dalton truly was very close to used up. But after getting the Stabs/Elevators stripped this evening...I recognized that a lot of whether an airframe is "used up" is totally dependent upon the individual. I guess where there is a "will", there is a way right?
The stabs and elevators are in kind of rough shape. But not terrible to the point of having to do a total rebuild on them. Other than filling a hole or two and doing some restructure, they aren't too bad considering the "use" this airframe has had.
I will most definitely be upgrading this set up for the control horns on the elevators. What was used is a simple Phillips head 8/32 machine screw. As you all can see, they bent under the pressure of the power from the servos. I will no doubt acquire some stainless steel all thread or hardened all thread and thread it into the elevators.
Maybe those of you that have built Daltons can help me out to understand why there are two servo boxes so close in proximity to each other in the stabs? I can't say that I have ever seen this before. My guess would be for different servo specs?? Kind of lost here.
This arrangement is also going away. I do not like the stab mounting method and therefore will probably be building an extension rib out of lite ply with bolt down ears. As far as I know, most everyone is using this method to affix the stabs to the airframe. Since the stabs and wings really don't have a lot of side force that will pull them off, the added ears will work just like Pilot or any other airframe for that matter.
And since the stabs will have the ears on the root end of the stabs, this "hinky" method of securing the stabs will no longer be needed. I truthfully would "NEVER" use a bolt or a screw in a carbon fiber rod to keep the wings or stabs on. But that is just me.
Once the covering was completely off, I could see just what I was in store for regarding restoration and covering of the stabs/elevators.
Last year, Joe Mitchel
@Flyrcjoe and I had many conversations of why the yellow was just not staying down on his big CAP. That boy knows covering just as well as anyone I think. But darned if we could ever come to any conclusions. I know that the Monokote of yesteryear didn't have the same qualities as it now has. I still don't like Monokote, but I suppose it is better than it used to be. The Dalton will be recovered using Ultracote. It is easy to see the outer layer of clear film on this Monokote finish just lifting from the surfaces. Leaving the color embedded into the structure which required more work to get it off. But once again, I resorted to the heat gun and knife method. Seriously the quickest and easiest way for me to remove the residual color left behind.
I am not sure which servo bay will be used for setup. I suppose Bruce will have to decide that when the time comes. Again, if any of you previous or current Dalton builders and owners have seen this before, maybe you could offer your input? It would be greatly appreciated.
As you all can see, there is some damage and some simple "rash" that needs to be addressed. For the corners of the elevators, I will be cutting those sections completely out and refitting with dense balsa blocks. This should help a little in the event the elevators get knocked around again. For the knicks, scratches, cuts and dings in the rest of the structure, I will address each one as I come to it. Some I will fill and sand, some may need a little more extensive attention.
That's it for tonight....um, I mean this morning. Going to drink my coffee, eat my fritter and chill for a bit. I will get to stripping the wings later this morning. That is "IF" the weather man is right. I am hoping he is wrong...."AGAIN". "Baby" wants to go flying again.
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I just wish I had the same excuse you did this weekend. . . . 
