LBarron
Well-Known Member
Looking at the Loehle 5151 wood frame/cloth covered plane, I've seen several people cover the wings and fuselage with 1/16" (or slightly thicker) plywood. I'm sure some do it because they prefer that look to fabric stretched over the frame but does it also strengthen the structure so the Vne and cruise speeds can be increased? The difference in weight - cloth vs wood and fiberglass - ranged from 30 to 60 lbs for those who commented about it, a lot of wood, so does it significantly increase the structural integrity or is it just a circular case where the added weight requires a more solid structure so the two offset? Or is this a case of "it's impossible to say" so you just go do a new stress analysis on the "new" design? (or don't fly any faster than what the original plane was designed for).
I don't own a 5151, I'm just curious about what that type of change would do (other than add weight).
I don't own a 5151, I'm just curious about what that type of change would do (other than add weight).
