This weekend I had some time to work on framing in the retract area.

On Saturday I cut some 1.5" x 9" balsa strips using very light balsa and some harder balsa. I put them in a large water bottle and let them soad for about 24 hours. I tried bending the strips to the 2.5" diameter that I need for the wheel wells. The soft balsa strips bent much easier than the harder balsa strips. I tried a couple of each type strip but each time I kinked the balsa strip.

The balsa strips on the nose of the B-36 bent rather easily but these were more difficult. It may be the width of the nose strips is about .125" and these are 1.5". In an effort to made it work with the 1.5" strips I throught to drain the cold water from the container and fill it with hot water. I let the strips sit in hot water for about 10 minutes and then I tried bending them. They bent easier and to my surprise the harder balsa strips bent easier too. I got the very light balsa bent to about a 4" diameter without too much effort but I got a bit anxious and kinked them too. I didn't kink any of the harder balsa strips but I didn't get them down to a 4" diameter. It was a bit tricky taking balsa strips out of very hot water and get them bent before they cool. They cool very quickly.

At this point I ran out of non-kinked strips so I made some new ones yesterday and put them in water. I still think I can get a 4" semi-circle made from 1.5" wide strips. The next time I try this I am going to drain the cool water, add hot water, and then place it all in the microwave until it boils. I will keep the strips in the water for about an hour and reheat it to boiling when needed. I think this will make the balsa strips pliable enough to shape and keep their shape.

Hopefully the second attempt will be a winner.

Mike Roerig
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