Mike, GREAT idea! Balsa is an excellent core material. I say do it and let those who can help. Balsa has been used for decades as a core material in boats. It's strength compares with most PVC foams if I recall right. I can appreciate you being nervous about making the decision, but if you have the means and wherewithal to do then go for it. You are bettering the sport if you complete it and tell everyone how you did it and how it performs.
I would really like to see it. My two cents worth... Fred Johnson Reno, NV -----Original Message----- From: krnet-boun...@mylist.net [mailto:krnet-boun...@mylist.net] On Behalf Of Mike johnson Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 9:21 PM To: kr...@mylist.net Subject: KR> boatless fuselage? I'm sure I will be crucified but here goes. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a bunch of smart engineers. Three of them are aeronautical. Most of them have numerous patents. Myself, heck i'm just a plumber. Anyhoo, I was talking to them about the kr2s plans I have and was asking them for any input about them. They said it sounded like a nice plane, and should be real nice to fly, etc,etc. We started talking about the boat or main structure. On a whim I asked this question, " why couldn't you just build it like a long-ez but use balsa wood instead of the foam?" Boy what a question! It was like kids in a candy store. At any rate, they became real excited and thought I should try and do it. By the way I was thinking of balsa wood because my father ownes one of the largest phenolic mfg. companies in the U.S. and has a premium supplier of top grade balsa wood that he uses for some type of substrate for General Electric. Now I have this problem of these guys calling me and pushing me to do this. At first I regretted bringing this up, now it almost sounds like a good idea. I really am quite lucky to have friends like this. Maybe I should try and do it, what do you guys think? Most of these guys are in there 60's and 70's, and own some type of composite airplane. They said they would do the engineering data for fun. Then build a fuselage, and destroy it for something called destructive testing. The catch is I pay for the materials. They seem to think, that doing the math is fine but we should also destroy it and analize the failure. After it is destroyed I would then start to built my own plane. It's not the money, I can swing it, it would just take alot of time. I must say I am a little nervous about it, But it would be sweet. Please give me your'e input, it would really mean alot to me. If I did do this, I could post the photos and info. to the group. What do ya think? Mike Johnson _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to krnet-le...@mylist.net please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
