Quote:
Originally Posted by harrison987
I was invlived in this restoration, and I can tell you that no skins that I know of were re-used.
Aluminum age-hardens over time, and as such, becomes NON-AIRWORTHY quite quickly. Yes, there is an "Experimental" classification in the USA...but using 80-year old aluminum for the airframe is not something anyone would ever do.
All skins were replaced with new by the time this was done.
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Aluminum skins that are corroded or damaged will need replaced, otherwise they are fine to use. No requirement to replace skins based on age.
Just a few examples, there are hundreds of AT-6's still flying with their original 1940's skins, stringers and frames installed. The CAF's B-24 and B-29 retain the majority of their original aluminum airframe components.
The list goes on and on with many WWII aircraft. Sure some aircraft are 100% new builds, but most aren't.
26th October 2022, 02:10
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