fholbert
Active Member
Yes. A DeHavilland Mosquito flew at my airport last month, I got a couple of pictures. Chino is know world wide for its war birds. IIRC, this wooden aircraft was the fastest bomber in WW II.Obviously, you don't know Baltic Birch plywood.
Historically, Baltic Birch plywood is stronger than steel or aluminum by weight and has been used in the original Wright flyer, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, and Howard Hughes "Spruce Goose." It use in the De Havilland Mosquito made it the fastest propeller driven plane in WWII.
All Higgins boats used in the D-day invasion and WWII PT boats were constructed of this plywood.
Plywood won’t split. The grains cross each other.Thanks for the history lesson. I don't claim to be an expert in wood, but thanks for the history lesson. I've flown Citabrias with fiber wings. That doesn't mean I'll jack my car up using a similar construction.
I'd be interested in seeing strength tests for that material. 0.25 thick? I can find something similar for aluminum and steel.
Citabria’s have fabric wings, the spar is wood. What wood has over metal is, it doesn’t fatigue. Many high loading aerobic aircraft have a wood spar and wings.