ORIGINAL: Ilikebipes
Okay. I've been thinking- which is inexcusable. I know.
After studying the parts and the plans, I can see the whole fuse is constructed of light ply. I'm thinking this is where the extra 2lbs are coming from in everyone's builds. I'm thinking about cutting out some of the ply and using balsa. I haven't weighed the ply turtle deck, but that ply is heavy! Why not use 1/16in balsa sheeting? Yes it is fragile, but this is a competition aircraft. I'm considering making balsa ply formers, and debating on using balsa fuse sides with doublers.
The ply in my kit is heavy.
??????????? I guess you could, I just never tried it or felt the extra weight was a problem, mater of fact i always thought it was a good thing. The turtle deck is very light 1.64 or 32 ply but I can't see why you couldn't build it with changing the wood the way you want.
I don't buy into the idea of building ultra light planes, if I did I could just buy an ARF of build the plane like an ARF with a few sticks and sheets held together by the covering. Then again I would be building a new plane every season or buying another ARF like the other guys I fly with do. Kit built planes are with us for decades for reasons, strength. And with strength comes weight. Ever wonder why this plane has such a good rep as a great flying plene? It fly's so stabel and smooth without getting pushed around in wind.
Just a thought. Like one of my old instructors once told me, it's your plane, you can do what you want to it!! Who knows, maybe it will fly better if you lighten it up??
Gene