I've not used anything but 3/32 for fuse' sides since the early '90's. I have two Crosswinds with over 500 flights each, one with soft mounts and one with maple beam mounts and they're both still in good shape. The one I pancaked inverted at this year's nats is back in one piece with little effort, ready for finish.
All fuse' parts are molded with 6lb balsa, both are TP based areodynamically, and both use PA 65 or 75, whichever I'm in the mood for at the time. Both weighed 61 to 63 oz. (Note: I only used 1/32 ply for doublers, just enough hardwood to hardwood joint for the motor mounts. We all tend to overbuild. I do glass the nose back to the wing le.)
My old Sierra was molded balsa fuse with light 3/32, weighed 62 oz and, as far as I know, is still flying down Nashville way. It's on it's second fuse' as I also managed to pancake it inverted. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm??? What gives here?

Will