I've been kicking around the idea of redesigning some of the more classic designs (Ringmaster, Sterling Mustang, Twister, Magician, etc) using different building techniques, particularly, I-beam wings.  I'm talking full-up Detroiter-style I-beam wings in designs you wouldn't necessarily expect them to be in (mostly profiles).  Has anyone done this before?  More trouble than it's worth?  Thoughts?

I-beam wings have the advantage of fairly quick, easy construction- just one rib template, generally no cap stripping, solid trailing edge.  Downsides are the whole plan must be jigged on a flat surface at once.  Many, many glue joints.  Not very sturdy to mishandling such as trying to pick up by the wing with one hand, tend to be more warp prone and require a tautening covering for strength- not good candidates for plastic film covering, more prone to real "bag of balsa chips" in a crash, easier to rebuild if the fuselage and tail are mainly intact.

Berkeley even kitted a couple of I-beam combat planes back in the 50's.  Not really suitable for that event but would make good sport planes.  The Lancer was profile I believe.

I have not built one in several years but I think the way Tom Morris designed the Millennium wing was the best way to build a wing if it had flaps.  I never had a warped or twisted wing with this method.  You also did NOT have to build the wing into the fuselage during construction.  I made many a rib jig for different planes over the past years. 

Mike