Hello Knetters! I have nearly completed the fuselage structure of my KR2SSXL. I say "SSXL", because the structure is 42" at the shoulders, inside dimensions, 44.25 outside (approximately 6" wider than plans), 41" inches at the firewall. I have constructed the bottom of the fuselage to conform to the shape of the AS5048 airfoil. I raised the top longeron 2".
I used all 14' of the longeron material that came with the kit, adding an additional station which I refer to as India-alpha, after station India, and also an additional station after Mike, that I call Mike-alpha. I had to cut off 2 inches of the length to fit the tail. I didn't have the foresight to layout the tail section to incorporate the 1" and 3/4 width of the tail post. By the way the tail post-vertical stabilizer section is poorly presented in the plans, IMHO. I do have the tail post fitted as of last night. I am not skinning the fuselage with plywood. I plan to make a composite "sandwich" of foam and carbon graphite. The reasons I chose to do this are, 1. SOUND. I believe the plane will be more quiet with the foam construction. (My plane will also have exhaust mufflers) 2. AESTHETICS. I think the inside of my cockpit will look better in carbon graphite than 5/8 spruce. 3. WEATHER PROOF. Every wood surface will be covered in epoxy, essentially sealing it forever. I think I might also have a small weight savings, although I'm not 100% sure of that. I am starting this week on the spars. I plan to built them with the dihedral bend at the fuselage wall. "Bent Spars" as they have become known. I have taken many photos and have been trying to make a web site (without success). I have a couple of Cd's with Hi res pics. If anyone is will to post them to the net I will gladly send them via mail. Building an aircraft AND a web site is TOO MUCH for me. I leave that to smarter people like Mark L. and others. Best wishes to all, Ron Smith Cypress, Orange County, Calif. 714-231-9605
