marwen1

My Feedback: (6)

i am working on an old AIRHOPPER sailplane that was (in the 1940's). It was FREE FLIGHT.

I am installing all the goodies to make it a total RC. the plans call for stringers. everytime I even look at one of them, they snap. So, I have taken the task of adding triangulation girders The section(s) I have done are now really strong. No snapping the twigs there! needless to say, I have added a pile full of more weight.

Q. Looking at the strengthened areas, do you think I could simpy cover with a MonoKote and eliminate the obligitory balsa covering, or not?

marweb

tonyc

My Feedback: (4)

I would cover with balsa. I know where you are going, target weight and actual weight will not match. And we all know tha lighter flies better, but for how long?

The balsa will add a ton of strenght with only a small weight gain. You could even use the lighter weight balsa, it will cost you more per sheet but will save you some weight.

If you don't cover with balsa you will snap a stringer the first time you pick it up, or the first time some one else picks it up.

tonyc

dicknadine

I agree, cover with balsa, even 1/32 and if you really want further weight reduction-- lots of lightening holes- will show up as small flats, but adds strength with all the exrta labor and little more weight. dick.

D Bronk

These are rubber band freeflights first one is a twig and tissue[:'(](nephews).Had to fix every flight.Was (is),a SIG kit...The sheeted with balsa kit,and getting a 0.049 BABE BEE ,all my mods.It was also supposed to be a twig kit.A Guillows S.E.5A.At least,you can look at this plane with out it crumbling to slivers.SHEETED in 1/32`nd balsa and reinforced here and there.GO sheeting, at least it`ll fly more than once!![8D].......DAVE B..

marwen1

My Feedback: (6)

I'm beginning to see the trend. However, every single time I add a couple of strengening bars, the overall strength is awesome. As you can see the difference between todays work and yesterdays. I'm gaining a lot of completion as far as the builup is concerned. A new question is cropping up as I near the tail end area.

Q. Should I continue ALL the way down the complete fuselage?

tonyc

My Feedback: (4)

If you are going to sheet, I would not continue. You want the back to be light without adding weight to the front for balance. The balsa sheeting will add the strength you want.

tonyc