I have to agree with Graupner Fan - I do not see how you can get 18 of the #64 bands on to the dowels! Personally I fly a Hobbico Superstar 40 and my instructor told me 6-8 bands was enough. I generally put two bands on each side of the fuse (that's 4 bands) going straight up and then have another pair of bands going in each diagonal direction (thats another 4 bands). The first 4 have the most leverage and hold the wing down. The second set of 4 - the diagonal ones - have less leverage but serve to stop the first 4 bands slipping off the dowels. By the time I have done all of this there is hardly ANY room to add any more bands.

Anyway, I'm really sorry to hear about the crash I think you have a great attitude in that your main concern is that you want to learn something form the incident so as not to repeat the mistake. Personally, I would be wallowing in a pool of self pity and would be a miserable person to be around. I could learn a thing or two from your attitude.

Photoniq