Jim,
So, is less than 20 pounds doable on a span of almost 11 feet?
Keith
Howdy again! Well, I've read your post and the thoughts of Fred and the other guys and still, in all honesty, I believe it could be done and still be "grams" under the 20# rule
. At the same time, I love the idea of the hidden engine heads but I wouldn't want to tackle that level of complexity … not that it couldn't be done but in the words of Dirty Harry: "... a man has got to know his limitations"
!! I recognize mine, 'fer shur'
!! Yet, for the scale judging, I understand the nacelles could be in a configuration that would allow the engines to be hidden and then reconfigured for flight. So that's a possibility for nitro engines. As for the concept of electric power … I like it, I really like it BUT like Fred points out it would be a matter of selecting the right combinations so on the one hand … we may have "inherited" another team member, of sorts
! Removable wings would certainly need to be incorporated into the build. There's a number of approaches, sliding aluminum rods, dowels and even the tongue method that was used for the B-29, so I don't see that as a problem other than deciding for personal preferences. However, ONLY if you want to spend some serious money to have some "scale" gear designed by Robart or Century Jet, I'd say let's give up a few points and smile using some E-Flite 60 retracts
! Okay, as to fuselage and wing skinning methodologies, I'm sure you know there are quite a few. I planked my B-29 with all 3/32" square balsa, plank by plank. This project could also be planked or sheeted with 1/16" balsa, or even sheeted with 1/64" ply. Then topped with a layer of silkspan, I suppose, if it is to be doped or just coated with some Sig Stix-It and monokoted as I did with the B-29. Just so you know, I have no experience with Flite Skins and minimal experience with fiberglassing. However, I suppose if you wanted to go that route, one of the guys on this site could recommend another "team member to-be" who could take over the project and give it an immaculate world class FAI scale finish (I never pursued that skill level, sorry)
Well, I guess that about covers my thoughts for the moment. Let's see where this goes and what other thoughts come in, shall we!!