Fuselage structures and construction

Model Airplane News, Mar 2002 by van Mourik, Dick

Advantage: very easy to build; allows ample space for cockpit interiors, radio gear and fuel tank.

Disadvantage: labor-intensive, especially strip planking the formers.

Remember, one of the best ways to learn which construction methods work best with various aircraft types is to see what other successful designers have used. Look at plans, read magazine construction articles, and ask questions. Like many scale designers and builders, you may find that collecting plans is a hobby in itself! 4

by Dick van Mourik

Editor's note: guest columnist Dick van Mourik is a noted scale designer and competitor from the Netherlands, where he also serves as a judge in scale events.