Need help picking materials to build with ;) (Full Version)

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Daniel_M -> Need help picking materials to build with ;) (10/19/2009 11:21 AM) Hi all! I recently finished designing a 91 cm wingpspan electric aircraft (calm, stable flyer). I need help choosing materials to build with. The sides are 2.5mm thick and the formers and ribs are 3mm thick, the tail fins are 6mm thick and will be made out of balsa. I need help choosing materials for the sides and ribs/formers. A friend told me to make everything out of balsa, but I have my doubts. Please, basing your judgement on the attached CAD designs and that the plane is designed for stability and calmness- not continuous stunts, tell me what materials would usually be chosen for such an aircraft (out of a choice between balsa and birch plywood) Best of luck, Daniel.

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kdc -> RE: Need help picking materials to build with ;) (10/19/2009 5:44 PM) You need to study other designs of a similar size & type to know what will be light enough to fly and also be strong enough. The strength is crucial for safety and is achieved by strengthening certain vital areas only. The design as shown looks as though it is designed for lite ply construction not birch ply. Build plenty of kits or proven designs before proceeding. Study where the ply parts are and where balsa alone is used. The high tailplane will present strength & control run problems but there are special ways to do this. There are books & articles about designing models but they all say for your first designs use proven methods and merely restyle a model known to fly well

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Daniel_M -> RE: Need help picking materials to build with ;) (10/20/2009 11:08 AM) Thanks for the reply. I chose to go with ful balsa construction as suggested by the friend and have pine (I think?) longerons/stringers. Here are more pics...

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