Yes, those are pics of my broken tail!
I'm from the St. Louis area not Chicago. Man, that hurts being a Cardinal fan.
So here is the scoop on the tail:
1) It broke..............
2) Was not a glue joint failer
3) Were the hinges glues in well? No, but I don't think they caused the break.
4) Do I think I caused it from hitting trailer? No, I don't think I did, but you never know. Never hit it hard. Occasional tap. I've abused my SD Yak and other planes a lot more.
5) It happened right after doing a blender.
6) If you look at the bottom of the fin you will see where the wood stops and the foam starts. Mine had a gap between the wood and the foam and I believe that void could have been the weak point that failed. Just my opinion.
7) Dietrich stepped up and sent me replacement parts.
8) If I was building another one I would drill two 1/4" holes from the top of the fin and through the top of the fuse. Would need like a 12" drill bit. I would gorilla glue 1/4" dowels through the fin and fuse. Again, my opinions.