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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Wynn Robins on June 24, 2012, 09:51:48 PM

Title: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: Wynn Robins on June 24, 2012, 09:51:48 PM

is there any reason that the composite fuselages are made in halves split vertically versus horizontally?   Makes more sense to me to do them horizontally as you can put formers in, then controls, line everything up - wings stab etc and then glue the top half onto the formers.

any reason why that wouldnt work?

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: Chris Wilson on June 24, 2012, 09:56:41 PM

Joins are a lot less noticeable under the fuselage ...... and on top, well there is the canopy and fin to hide lines quit nicely.

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: john e. holliday on June 25, 2012, 08:49:37 AM

With did that with our F2C planes when I was still trying to play with them.  Yes it is much easier to get all the duct work in as well as controls.   But, you have to be careful that all is on zero alignment before putting the top shell on.   H^^

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: jose modesto on June 25, 2012, 09:29:04 AM

photos of SV22 top and bottom female molds. The top and bottom fuse molds were not a good as the side to side female molds.
The top and bottom molds are to narrow at the rear of mold.This makes it difficult to remove exess epoxy and the vaccum bab may not compress into rear of molded piece. This makes them heavier and may need filling of surface.
A couple of photos of the SV 22 fuse.
Photo #1 and 2 shows SV22 top and bottom molds
Photo #3 shows the side to side Impact mold
Top and bottom harder to work with,side to side wide open you can compress the piece in order to eliminate inperfections to outer surface. Balsa inserts, doublers,formers,motor mounts etc can all be installed into one half of molded shell while in the mold to insure perfect alligment.
Jose Modesto

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: Wynn Robins on June 25, 2012, 02:11:37 PM

so there is no structural issue? 


I see what you mean about space Jose.....  something to think about

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: jose modesto on June 25, 2012, 04:34:02 PM

wynn. additional photos showing,motor mount,battry mount and formers. All items listed were installed while fuse half was in the mold. for completion of fuse simply cover female mold with wax paper,insert fuse half with the formers and mounts and place other half of fuse on top and glue.
The fuse ready to install wing and tail was 5oz  that includes a glass cloth and epoxy outer surface.
Most fuse in electric weigh between 5.5oz and 6.5oz.
Jose Modesto

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: Wynn Robins on June 25, 2012, 05:17:10 PM

thanks Jose - now how do you glue them together?  they look lioke 1/16th sides - hot does that glue up?   

We have already made molds for a thundergazer but it is split horizontally...........

Title: Re: Composite Fuselage why split vertically?
Post by: jose modesto on June 25, 2012, 05:52:30 PM

Balsa is 1/32" with .5glass cloth in and out. Balsa is Aldo wet molded over fuse buck.
photo of premolded 1/32" balsa fuse sides
Jose Modesto