Andy-H Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 Having finished off a couple of kits, I’m turning my attention to building a Ballerina as a first plan build, and would like to sense-check my thoughts on wood selection for the main components. Am planning to put in an order with Balsa Cabin, maybe ordering an extra 25% to give me a bit of choice (and setting me up for the next one….) Ribs & formers, quarter grain, medium density Fuselage sides - hard sheet Tail surfaces, wing webbing - medium sheet Wing sheeting - soft sheet Carved areas - soft Does that sound about right, in terms of strength & weight ? Have looked up a number of articles, but would appreciate any comments. Having looked at a couple of Chris Foss models I’ve built, the fuselage sides didn’t seem to be particularly hard, hence asking first. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outrunner Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 I wouldn't use hard sheet for fuselage sides unless specified, I would use medium as most fuselage sides need to be bent into shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 The designer - Peter Miller - said this back in 2015 - " Don't forget to tell them what grades i.e. hard, medium, soft that you want. You want one 3/32" sheet as soft so yu can roll it round the turtle deck and you want medium for the ribs and medium to hard for the fuselage sides. Spars quote "Rock hard" There was a materials list on this thread which may help. The prices were quoted at 2015 level- it will be a lot more now! Also a hardware list - Balsa Cabin sell hardware too. Note that someone found that 7 lengths of 1/8sq spruce are needed not 6 as first stated. Actually I used hard balsa for most of the 1/8 sq with just a couple of spruce strips. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-H Posted May 30, 2023 Author Share Posted May 30, 2023 Thanks, both. Much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 4 hours ago, Andy-H said: Ribs & formers, quarter grain, medium density Fuselage sides - hard sheet Tail surfaces, wing webbing - medium sheet Wing sheeting - soft sheet Carved areas - soft Ribs light, no loads, formers light or medium, you can reinforce with small sticks transverse sticks. sides, soft tails, soft, or medium for transverse stuff, soft, fore and aft. wing sheet, carved, soft. Build light, fly well. When you get to the balsa bits, the only hard needed is the spars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 I recommend just using soft sheet for the tail parts rather than built up. I had to add a little lead to mine at the tail anyway so use that weight usefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted May 30, 2023 Share Posted May 30, 2023 Sorry. Ignore my last post Senility galloping in.I was getting mixed up with my Ohmen build....I can't help it if I am thick!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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