What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fuselage?  
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> ARF or RTF >> NitroModels Support >> What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fuselage?
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What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fuselage? - 10/25/2006 3:49:47 AM   
nitrostaff1



Posts: 836
Joined: 10/20/2006
From: LA, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Just wondering which type of fuselage is more preferred by people....so when we put planes into production, we will consider that point too...

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 10/25/2006 6:23:13 AM   
Kmot



Posts: 7732
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: online 		Depends on the plane. For scale warbird type planes, fiberglass is preferred because the details can be made in the mold. Such as panel lines, rivets, etc. A balsa fuse is fine, but it is all smooth with a shrink covering applied. So for example, a P-47 is very smooth with no details because it is a balsa fuselage. If it had a fiberglass fuselage it could have the detailing done while it was molded.

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 10/25/2006 4:34:48 PM   
treedog



Posts: 506
Joined: 8/26/2004
From: Midway, AR, USA
Status: offline 		Kmot i'm sure u didn't mean every last detail as there are others that like to do more or less of their own work but basically right on point

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 10/25/2006 7:18:18 PM   
opjose



Posts: 5795
Joined: 11/26/2005
From: Poolesville, MD, USA
Status: offline 		As Kmot said, it depends upon the plane.



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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 10/25/2006 9:57:30 PM   
Kmot



Posts: 7732
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: online 		No, I didn't mean down to every last detail. But at least 'some' detail can be added in the mold. I know there are dedicated "rivet glue ploppers" out there!

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 11/7/2006 3:21:48 AM   
EASYTIGER


 

Posts: 7676
Joined: 12/7/2001
From: nyc, NY, USA
Status: offline 		For scale planes...fiberglass.
The wood ones don't look very good, and don't sell that well.

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 12/8/2006 10:23:40 PM   
rollingrookie


 

Posts: 31
Joined: 2/10/2005
From: Rolling Prairie, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Fiberglass is great until you crack it up!

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 12/9/2006 12:35:50 AM   
opjose



Posts: 5795
Joined: 11/26/2005
From: Poolesville, MD, USA
Status: offline 		It's not that hard to repair though.

Color matching is much harder.

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 12/9/2006 3:01:58 AM   
jetboy2003



Posts: 96
Joined: 12/31/2004
From: Rapid City, SD, USA
Status: offline 		Fiberglass for all warbirds and large scale aerobatic planes (Extas, Caps, Edges, ect..). Especially if you make a pattern type aircraft.

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 3/31/2007 9:46:48 PM   
ram3500-RCU



Posts: 1815
Joined: 8/17/2002
From: n. canton, OH, USA
Status: offline 		2 cents worth.............I too like fiberglass for scale war birds for simplicity and also the farings are much easier in glass. I do have a scale Jemco P-47 that is wood but covered in brushed chrome Presto. Very good result and the panel lines are better because the panels of Presto are as scale in size and location as I could get them. The rivits were easy as well. But, for giant scale aerobatics, I still think balsa, light ply, stick, and covering is lighter, better, and easier to repair and maintain.

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fus... - 4/1/2007 5:14:34 AM   
tommytorino



Posts: 171
Joined: 2/17/2004
From: East Islip, NY, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: nitrostaff1

Just wondering which type of fuselage is more preferred by people....so when we put planes into production, we will consider that point too...


On smaller .25 size models I would stick with balsa. Reason being most glass fuses while greater in detail weigh a bunch more then balsa. I, myslef fly mostly electric so weight is a big consideration. A glass fuse weighs more to start, add a few repairs and it's a flying brick.

My Electric World Models Dago Red <glass fuse> is identical to my World Models Candy Man .46 Mustang. The model with the glass fuse is 1lb heavier.

Just my 2 cents from the electric guys.

Tommy D

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RE: What's Better? Fiberglass Fuselage or All-Balsa Fu... - 4/3/2007 8:31:41 PM   
pcsketch


 

Posts: 70
Joined: 1/20/2005
From: Salem, OR, USA
Status: offline 		I like building balsa. I like repairing balsa. I like modifying balsa kits. 60% of my enjoying the hobby is in the shop. I'm just a sport flying balsa cuting kind of modeler.

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