[ProfLooney]

here is a tip on something like the Pfalz. I just designed a Pfalz DXII which is about to be started by 2 guys for the UK Dawn Patrol Display Team. Because I wanted it easy to be sheeted and built even though it is a highly detailed build, I designed the fuse to be built in the half shell.

that way it is real easy to sheet right there on the building board and will keep the fuse straight. this will make it easy on the novice or experienced. the reason the Pfalz can be built this way is because the pfalz had a monocoque fuse ( ie wood cloth wood premade in a mold with resin kinda like a fiberglass fuse would be) then after it was nailed onto the formers it was covered with fabric and glassed using varnish.

This means that you can sheet both sides on the board and after you glue the 2 halves together you glass the fuse like you would for a heavy metal plane which will hide the seam.


so certain planes are already designed to be built by a beginner easily with a little patience. whether the DIII had a monocoque fuse i am not sure but would be worth checking into