Quote Originally Posted by AlanH View Post
When it comes in I'll cut off a 6 inch piece (it's longer than I need. anyway) and get you a slice. We'll chalk it up to research!

Hi all,

Of course if you use a foam core that doesnt have good shear/compression characteristics you need to make up for it. To say "you shouldn't use a RC plane foam core" is simply not reasonable. One simply has to engineer the composite structure properly. Here are techniques used: beef up the laminate structure, add stringers the length of the structure, use a composite outer core - example a combination of corex with an inner and outer laminate applied, and there are many other examples that can be properly engineered.

Having made other rudders the longest time spent on the project was fairing the foam to shape. With these foam blanks pre cut one can really accelerate the project.

Having said all that, two core suppliers supply cores in a variety of low density and moderate density cores. The later being typical of the foam used in rudder projects.

Thanks,

Brian