acdii

What would I use for the ribs, grade, thickness of balsa, etc to build a better wing than what the kit has? I am halfway through my build of the GE kit, but not 100% satisfied with the wing build, I hacked it up too many times working on getting the retracts to work properly and making the wheel trays and wheel doors work. The skin is not smooth anymore and has bubbles in it. I also hacked it up to move the aileron servo from the middle to each wing. Now that I have a wing laid out and working, I think I can improve upon it by building a second wing where the center section is more structuraly sound and more scale like landing gear can be used. I have all the patterns for the ribs since I traced them all out when I started building. Just wondering if different thickness should be used or any other tricks for a better structure.

glazier808

My Feedback: (1)

I've used 3/32 on my ribs in the past few builds, works for me.

Casey

drl733

I was wondering if someone can answer a question about my P51. I built my arf and used the retracts it came with. Those things are real flimsy already cracked two sets with easy landings. I ordered E-Flites electric retracts. I ordered the 90 degree. I was talking to a Kit builder that I met and he said that I need 85 degree. Is this true? All the research Ive done on mechanical and air retracts Said they are 90 Degree. At least thats what I got out of it.

acdii

From what I understand, the 85* retracts are what should be used on the P-51.  IINM the 90* relates to the angle at which the strut is to the bottom of the wing, so at 85* they are more vertical to the ground than the 90* ones.  The ARF retracts are flimsy, and either should be replaced by wire struts, or beefier retracts, like Robarts.  I dont know the tough of the Eflites though, haven't tried them yet.

drl733

Ok , thank you for the info.

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

At 90deg they are more vertical to the ground.
At 85 deg it looks like it isn`t open all the way. Which is some what more like the full scale if you look at it standing in front the nose.

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Also another good less known material used to make ribs is foam board. Yes FOAM BOARD. Of coarse you would use light ply or balsa for the ribs that will have load on it like the ribs that the gears will be supported by.

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

This is my 80" Ziroli Stuka with foam board ribs. This is a scaled down version of the 100".

acdii

white gorilla glue used?  I see some foaming at a rib. Good idea though, what thickness foam is it?  Looks like that foam used for making sign boards, really dense and thick.

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Yes gorilla glue used and the same board the kids use for their science projects. It is 1/4 inch thick. At 99 cents a board at the 99 cents store or some places has it for $1.99, you can`t go wrong. Also good for bulk heads. So for about $10. you are about half way in building a plane, and I am talking about a 80" bird.

acdii

Thats what I thought that was. It is what I used to build the Kadet on, nice and sturdy and didnt even consider that it would make good plane parts!

91zulu

My Feedback: (2)

Oh yes indeed it can. That is why I get folks mad when I argue with them when they say that you cant build a giant scale plane for the price you could buy an ARF. I told them that is false and they don`t believe that it can be done.