Almost finished a Westwings Toucan. The Fuse and tail surfaces have been glassed and are lovely and smooth and pretty stiff. However the wing doesn't look like its up to much. I added some bracing to the join but the wing feels like it will break apart with the slightest outlandish manourvre and has no torsional rigidity at all. Would sheeting the leading edge help much, and would the weight penalty be significant???
TIA
On mine the wings built as intended stood up to an awful lot, but what finally killed them was their tendancy to warp. Eventually it became impossible to completly get the warp out and flying it like that took it on a one way trip in to the ground. If I did it again I would sheet the leading edge and use batteries lighter than the 7xAR500 pack I used then to compensate.
seabee
The covering will add a significant amount of strength.
If there are not any there, yet add shear webs between the spars. You'll be amazed how much stiffer the wings will be with a minimal increase in weight.
Make sure the grain is vertical and you glue them with minimal gaps at the ribs.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required