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I've been looking at the different methods used to construct aircraft during the Great War and I have a couple of questions.
The current method of building a wood airframe involves gluing the airframe together. Specifially, in modern construction *wood longerons are glued to cross peices, and reiforced with triangular pieces of plywood that are glued and tacked over the joint. This results in a strong, rigid structure. My research suggest that most wood airframes in WWI were mechanically fastened, using some sort of metal fitting, and adjustable wire cross bracing.
*My questions are, What is the stronger method? Are we gluing things now because its easier and cheaper?Did they use glue then as well? Wouldn't all of those adjustable cross braces need "regular" adjustment? Wouldn't that type of airframe get "loose" over time? What amount of tension would be on those cross braces, and how did they measure the tension? *That's enough for now, thanks.
Barry
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