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Why fabric covered control surfaces?
Posted:
Thu Jun 26, 2003 4:46 pmby DJ Hipply
A B-17 flown into town this week, The control surfaces were fabric covered...why. The flaps were metal.
Re: Why fabric covered control surfaces?
Posted:
Thu Jun 26, 2003 11:44 pmby Calb
1 - lighter
2 - cheaper
3 - saved valuable aluminium that was needed elsewhere
4 - easier & quicker to make field repairs
5 - every bit as safe & effective for slow flying aircraft
just a few off the top of my head
Cal
Re: Why fabric covered control surfaces?
Posted:
Fri Jun 27, 2003 5:26 amby Ivan
the control surfaces aren't load-bearing surfaces as the fuselage is, so they don't need the extra strength aluminium gives if mounted on a metal frame
Re: Why fabric covered control surfaces?
Posted:
Fri Jun 27, 2003 10:40 amby Felix/FFDS
control surfaces - ailerons/elevators/rudders - were subject to more stresses, especially at high speed/high G maneouvers. Before construction techniques improved, metal surfaces could buckle under the stress, leading to fatigue, cracks and possible disintegration in flight (not a good idea). Fabric surfaces provided for a certain "give" to the stresses.
As materials and construction techniques improved, fabric surfaces gave way to metal surfaces all over.
Re: Why fabric covered control surfaces?
Posted:
Fri Jun 27, 2003 10:48 amby Hagar
Also to save on valuable resources. Metal was in short suppy in most countries during WWII, especially of aircraft quality. Wooden fabric covered parts could also be manufactured in any carpentry or joinery workshop. The later Bf 109s had a wooden tailplane for this reason. It turned out to be stronger than the original metal structure.