Can anybody explain me a procedure for sheeting fuses ( made of ribs ) with balsa?

Thanks in advance

Hi ogarrad,

I am working on a plane right now that has a built up fuse with formers and stringers, it's a scratch build Ryan YPT-16. I just started sheeting my fuselage the other night. I am using 3/32" balsa to sheet it with. I edge glue up three 36" long x 3" wide sheets of balsa, using aliphatic glue. After the sheets cured overnight, I was ready to apply them to the fuse. I made a 50/50 mixture of ammonia and water in a spray bottle. I sprayed the outer side of this sheeting with this mixture until it was pretty wet. I then applied glue ( I used aliphatic here, but you could use medium CA) to all the contact points on the fuse structure. I then applied the sheeting and formed it to the round shape of the framework. It forms very easily with the ammonia/water mixture soaked into it. I then wrapped large rubber bands around it to hold it in place and I pinned it in several locations. I got the right side done the other night. Tonight I'll apply the left side sheeting. I am making the sheeting piece come together in the top middle and the bottom middle of the fuse. It looks real good so far.

Hope this helps some.

Jon :)