I still consider myself very new to all of this. I have never seen this planking done before. Is this in the plans for the Stunt Rocket?
Also why is it no longer done? Does this add a lot of weight to the model?
I do like the round shape of it.
Paul,
Yes, the Stunt Rocket plans specifically shows to plank the fuselage with 1/8" x 1/4" strips. The Stunt Rocket is a Walt Musciano design from 1951. He published dozens of CL (and some RC) scale models over the years and his plans almost always showed the use planking, at least for models larger than his multitudes of 1/2 A designs (think Scientific as well as many many 1/2A designs he had in the the magazines). I would say that anything bigger than 3/4" scale as most 35 or larger stunt ships would be practical for planking as oppposed to carved blocks or molded shells.
For many CL stunt designs over the years, the typical fuselage construction has evolved to use sheet sides and carved blocks on the top and often the bottom. This type of construction can be light but good balsa (6 pound stock or less) is required and lots of hollowing is also required so that most of that block ends up in chips on the floor. In recent years, molded shells have been extensively used. This is a skill set that some have mastered to a high degree, but it is difficult and unless done properly, sad results can be experienced in that shapes and strength can be compromised.
I started planking from those Musciano designs back in the 50's and have continued to do so, using planking on my scale and stunt designs as well as other stunt ships I have built instead of the specified carved blocks or molded shells. Properly done, planking can be as light or lighter than carved blocks unless the blocks are really light to start with and then hollowed extensively. Also, when properly done, little or no filling should be required. If the strips are taken from the same piece of balsa sheet, the sanded fuselage shell will almost look like it was carved from a block of wood. Molded shells, properly done, are probably the lightest construction, but can be limited to the extent of accommodating compound curves. That is where planking is a usefull technique in that shapes with complicated compound curves can easily be done, particularly when compared to molded shells. Planking is considerably cheaper than carved blocks. (See above comment where blocks mostly disappear in the balsa chips on the floor.) When properly done, not only is the planked surface as light or nearly as light as carved blocks or molded shells, but will be as strong, if not stronger. A lot of these comparisons of strengths and lightness is dependent on craftsmanship, selection of materials, and amount of glue used.
When planking is used, it is advisable to use a cellulose based model airplane cement, like Sigment. Sigment is more compatible with a dope finish and less prone to show the glue seams. It should be preferred over Ambroid. The use of CA or even the "sandable" wood glues (aliphatic) are strongly NOT recommended in that these glues will not allow the planked surface to be evenly sanded to obtain the blending of the curves. The balsa surface will sand down, but the glue seams will not evenly do so.
Keith
Topic: Stunt Rocket - Fuselage Planking (Read 4201 times)