RE: How much strength does balsa / ply add?
its a bit too light for my reckoning. I want a light airplane but not so light it comes apart in a few flights. In the past I have over strengthened some airplanes but they were testbeds for various things so needed to be that way. Here I have a tested model already- my buddy's airplane is around 5KG and his 120ax doesnt have the pulse power (I think he means he doesnt have the pullout) with his reinforcement.
I wont sheet everything as I was thinking when I posted first. Sheeting would be only for the engine box and that extends all the way upto the wing tube outer. Plus I will ply the fuse side where the wing attaches so that it becomes stiffer. My buddy used 1/8" birch ply (I think). Like speedracerntrixie said, I will put in a truss structure. I will be likely using 1/16 ply with CF stringers. For the fuse part behind the canopy, I will add thin balsa (whatever thinnest I get) simply because I wont be able to add in stringers accurately (you have to put your entire arm into the fuse to install them). Then I will CA wherever I can get to. Also, I found the wing to be a bit delicate, so I plan to run some epoxy along the wing tube side with a brush. Thats about it
With the engine, I will do a temporary install with the 20cc and then take it from there
Ameyam