F
fly scared!
OK, I know, why changing a true and tested configuration for an unsupported one ?
BUT, I never covered a wing with cloth, while I'm more confident to achieve a neat surface with plywood.
So, where should I start to check if the mod is possible ?
In my case (P.130UL, a shoulder braced wing) the plans call for small 1.6 mm birch strips above the ribs.
They have little structural motivation, they mostly provide a larger area to glue the Dacron cloth (1500 Kg).
Extending the band to completely cover the wing would then be geometrically straightforth.
a) would the plywood covering be too stiff for the wing (spar) to take loads properly (even if designed mainly for compression) ?
b) if so, would applying indipendent, small (rib to rib ?) panels aproximate (structurally) a fabric covering ?
c) what is the equivalent thickness for birch to get the same resistance (traction) than Dacron ?
d) how large a weight penalty may I expect ?
Needless to say, ingenious Mr. Pottier leaved us many years ago, so no way to seek advice from the designer here.
BUT, I never covered a wing with cloth, while I'm more confident to achieve a neat surface with plywood.
So, where should I start to check if the mod is possible ?
In my case (P.130UL, a shoulder braced wing) the plans call for small 1.6 mm birch strips above the ribs.
They have little structural motivation, they mostly provide a larger area to glue the Dacron cloth (1500 Kg).
Extending the band to completely cover the wing would then be geometrically straightforth.
a) would the plywood covering be too stiff for the wing (spar) to take loads properly (even if designed mainly for compression) ?
b) if so, would applying indipendent, small (rib to rib ?) panels aproximate (structurally) a fabric covering ?
c) what is the equivalent thickness for birch to get the same resistance (traction) than Dacron ?
d) how large a weight penalty may I expect ?
Needless to say, ingenious Mr. Pottier leaved us many years ago, so no way to seek advice from the designer here.
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