Although we elected not to, it is quite possible that Ed used 1/16" sheeting for the wing. For example, I know that Don Lowe called for 1/16" sheeting on his original Phoenix 1, (see pictures of Don's and my Phoenix 1). In a situation like that, you have to be very careful sanding the wing skins.

I just went downstairs and checked the TWO KNOWN Kazmirski wings that I have to see what Ed did on those. The Taurus-II uses 3/32" sheeting. The other wing I have was the ORIGINAL wing for that Taurus, and made the trip to Belgium as Ed's back-up plane, (it still has the FAI sticker on it). This wing is no longer used because it has a semi-symmetrical airfoil...it was replaced with the Bosch airfoil in the 1964 season. Another distinguishing feature of this wing is its extreme thickness, (see attached of the original Taurus II before the wing was switched out, and comparison pictures of this wing).

Anyway, this wing is also extraordinary because of its unusual construction and its lightness...it is a 71" span wing that weighs only 1.1 lb including landing gear. On this wing, Ed used 1/16" sheeting. When you hold this wing, it reminds you of an eggshell, and you tend to hold it as you would a hollow egg.

I also looked at the Simla, and if you hold it to the light just right, you can see a hint of sheeting ripple, but you don't normally see it in pictures of the Simla, (see a couple examples). For all these reasons, I believe that in the original Simla, Ed used 1/16" sheeting because the ripple is so pronounced, (see the B&W photo). I wouldn't be surprised if it had a "superformed" L.E. like the Taurus, but maybe not because the L.E. is much more "sharp". Ed was VERY conscious of how to choose and use balsa for different functions. For a plane this large, it makes complete sense that he would opt for the more delicate, but much lighter 1/16" contest balsa. One more thing...I believe good quality lightweight contest balsa was much more available than it is now. Models were not competing with wind turbines.

Duane