I am always looking for ways to bring the cost of light aircraft down. After doing some research on heat-forming acrylic (Plexiglas) canopies, either by mechanical stretching over a mold or by vacuum molding, I wonder if the same technique could be used to create other parts?
In particular, as the thread title implies, I am thinking of the nose bowl for a VW installation using aluminum sheet to wrap around between nose and firewall, as well as wingtips, tailcone and perhaps other fairings.
I know acrylic is somewhat brittle and tends crack in service, so are their other plastics that would be as easy to form but more durable? Obviously, transparency is not really the issue.
In particular, as the thread title implies, I am thinking of the nose bowl for a VW installation using aluminum sheet to wrap around between nose and firewall, as well as wingtips, tailcone and perhaps other fairings.
I know acrylic is somewhat brittle and tends crack in service, so are their other plastics that would be as easy to form but more durable? Obviously, transparency is not really the issue.
