Let me throw in my five cents: as a student pilot, I helped to rebuild
our club's Ka-6, Ka-8's and Ka-13, which were already pretty old back
then and had racked up some hours in a rough club operation. Apart from
one aft fuselage bulkhead separating from the skin on the Ka-6 due to
constant mishandling (lifting and pushing on the elevator), I have not
seen any structural problems with the glued joints. Very old ships
built with Kasein (a milk protein based glue, similar to 'Elmer's wood
and paper glue') have a problem if allowed to become wet over and over
again. This glue tends to dissolve or be eaten by a fungus. The factory
built ships were glued with a phenolic resin glue (one brand name was -
or still is - 'Aerodux'), and that stuff does seem to hold up very
well.
Personnaly, I would prefer a wooden ship over a metal ship when flying
the wave. The buying decision wood vs. metal has to be based on what
you are planning to do with the ship, i.e. tie down outside or derig /
store in trailer or a dry hangar.

Uli Neumann


F.L. Whiteley wrote:
Alas, resorcinal glues, unlike wood, have a limited service life.
Reportedly this is about 40 years or so. I seem to recall some issues with
a few K-6 aft frames at about 25-30 years. But that may depend on how they
were stored also. Regluing is an option. Each wooden wing recover process
I've had the opportunity to peak into has also involved the re-gluing of
several rib parts and stringers. Perhaps some of those who've restored
vintage gliders might comment further on the life of older glues and modern
glue developments.

Frank Whiteley

01-- Zero One wrote:

Bob, et. Al.,

The question remains... what about the glue joints and other
extra-material aspects of aging wood ships?

Larry
Zero One



" wrote in message
:

Bob Whelan wrote:
Matthieu wrote (w. snips)...


What would be a nice metal equivalent of the KA6E or Foka 4?

I am asking because those ships are 40+ years old now and I am
concerned about the aging wood... Should I be concerned?


Peace of mind would seem to incompatible w. structural concern of any
kind,
regardless of validity. (FWIW, I've never been able to talk myself
into
flying wood ships. Wood I trust...but those glue joints are another
mental matter!)
- - - - - -

SNIP

My experience - if it was done well originally you never have a problem
again. If I compare the loose rivets and other problems on the L13s that
fly at our club to the wood wing Scheibe ships there is no comparison.
Have seen a student land a Bergfalke on the main wheel and one wingtip -
the Scheibe survived a spectacular groundloop with the only damage to the
wing being a hole where the tip wheel pulled out - try that in metal...

--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.
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