ORIGINAL: invertmast
Jim/Oli,
would it not be better to use a solid material (such as end-grain balsa w/ ply inserts where bolts go through, or ply itself) laminated with carbon in these higher strength area's where the gear and wings are attached than the honeycomb? While the honey-comb technique is indeed cool and i'm sure makes some lighter parts, it seems like it would take more know-how and testing to get the perfect structure with the stuff than with more commonly used techniques.
Absolutely right Thomas.
A Balsa end grain/carbon sandwich would be appropriate for this former. Even better: traditional plywood that is so good at absorbing shocks and so resistant to compression.
Similarly I would like to see the spars made of a vertical grain balsa/carbon sandwich.
Building expertise is not about putting the lightest material everywhere. It is about putting the right material at the right place.