Balsa-sheeted foam core wing ?
 

Hi,
I see some ARFs that comes with balsa-sheeted foam core wing(BSFCW).
It seems ARFs with BSFCW seems cheaper and I understand because it's cheaper to make.
However, for users like us, What's the advantage & disadvantage of BSFCW ?
Should I hesitate to get ARF with such wing ?
Thanks !

RE: Balsa-sheeted foam core wing ?
 

BSFCW have an incredible amount of rigidity and torsional resistance. For a fast flying bird its one good way to go. The drawback is that they are slightly heavier than conventional buildup wings. Also when installing retracts, it can get tedious making channels and sliding plumbing inside the foam core.

RE: Balsa-sheeted foam core wing ?
 

Most all upper level aerobatic planes use foam sheeted wings along with tail-feathers and other items. A Carden kit has boxes of foam included and the 40% ones are over $1,000.00 today. They can be a little heavier than built up wings however some builders are able to make the built up wings come out heavier. Once you learn how to construct a plane with foam covered parts it will shorten the building time for most builders. It also makes for a wing that doesn't have dips so the airflow is smoother. A few smaller planes use this construction. Global's sticks are foam wings and they used to make a little pattern ship called the Hurricane that has plug in wings on aluminum blades that flies quite well. I find fully sheeted wings to be easier to cover as you can put the joints where you want them and not need to plan color schemes over the open framework. I wouldn't hesitate to get a plane with this kind of construction. RCM (magazine) has an article about lightening foam cores in the December issue if you want to read further.

EXCAP232

RE: Balsa-sheeted foam core wing ?
 

I have seen where the foam core had a [painstaking] honey comb pattern of holes cut into it prior to sheeting. The retract bays, and other mechanical systems in the wing were mounted on wood that you might think was too light to last long. Some carbon fiber was laid in across the inner 50% of the span prior to sheeting. The wing was sheeted with 3/32" medium balsa, and turned out very light, compared with other .60 sized pattern planes. The pilot never thrashed this plane, he only flew it like he was doing a pattern routine, so it didn't really ever get tested in a "real world", sport flyer application