| Franek Grabowski |
7th March 2005 12:45 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jukka Juutinen
Not so simple. First, we have to determine whther we use wood as such or as laminated structures. In general it is true that wooden structure of same strength takes up more space but necessarily weight. With wings this could be problem (e.g. dH Hornet) but usually less so with fuselages. Wood does have one excellent characteristics: very good fatigue strength (Finnish aircraft desgner Arvo Ylinen wrote several articles on this for Finnish trade journal "Aero").
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No doubt wood or plywood is very nice material but it went away not without reason. Apart of rather complicated treatment that must be done by a skilled labour it is very prone for atmospheric condition. They are also much harder in servicing, quite simple in the metal aircraft.
Technically, as noted, wood (in any form) takes precious volume - due to aerodynamic/mechanic rules (especially fighter) aircraft must be as cramped as possible - comparing to a metal aircraft there is much less space for internal fittings, eg. fuel tanks. This must cause increase of dimensions and subsequently weight.
If you look at Mosquito, it was quite a heavy aircraft comparing to similar metal ones. It was not so important as it was to fly straight and level and wood allowed to make very clean aerodynamic lines. I do not want to discuss Hornet, I simply do not know anything about the design but I am awared it was in use for quite a period.
Anyway, I think Soviets would have make better use of resources making Pe-2 of wood and La-7 of metal. ;)
Quote:
Another Soviet difference was that they often had steel wing spars (spar booms) if the spars were of metal. This may sound awkward, but it is not so. If we assume alloy steel treated to provide an ultimate strength of 1400 N/sq.mm, we get approx the same weight for the same strength if we use high quality Al-alloy (600 N/sq.mm max) with steel having better fatigue characteristics.
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Well, I learned that steel spar had less deflection and it was a major reason for use. I know P-39 had steel wingspar but I do not recall any such Soviet fighter, any samples please?
Quote:
So, if I were to design an aircraft employing maximum amount of wood, I´d probably do an all wood monocogue fuselage with a segment of the fuselage built integrally with an all wood wing centre section and outer wings with two steel truss spars with plywood covering.
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I am not sure of joint of the spar with the centre section. Perhaps a tubular steel centre section would be a better sollution? Just wondering, I have no experience.
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