[geeks] Re[2]: [rescue] Boats?

[Mike Nicewonger]

On Fri, 25 Jan 2002, you wrote:
> On Fri, 25 Jan 2002, Mike Nicewonger wrote:
> 
> > Most Zero's up untill the very latest models were made extensivley from wood.
> >
> > The Hurricane was all metal frame with most of the fuselage and all of
> > the tail surfaces covered by fabric.
> >
> Since the A6M1... all aluminum alloy.  Maybe the dash and certain finish
> parts were wood.
> 
> http://www.j-aircraft.com/main/newkits/a6mdesc.htm
> http://www.j-aircraft.com/main/newkits/a6mdesc.htm
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/087938915X/inktomi-bkasin-20/103-0024926-7868677
> http://www.aviation-history.com/mitsubishi/zero.html

I will of course have to consult my aircraft library regarding the Zero. I am
sure I have a cutaway view of the Zero showing um, 'wood' :)

> 
> The only page I found that backs up the "wood" thing is
> http://www.concentric.net/~Twist/airwar/zero/zeke.shtml
> The data is woefully suspect.

this page is more opinion than factual it seems. I agree suspect. 
> 
> A quote from the aviation history link,
> "Extreme care was given to structural weight as manoeuvrability was
> directly related to wing loading, and extensive use was made of
> Extra-Super Duralumin (E.S.D.), a tough, lightweight alloy developed for
> aircraft use by the Sumitoma Metal Industry Company. "
> 
> Here is the best Zero site I've seen so far with links to surviving
> aircraft.
> http://mitsubishi_zero.tripod.com/

Very interesting indeed.
> 
> On the hurricane, you're totally "spot-on"... I think I was thinking of
> wood and fabric planes from WWI and I said wood when I meant fabric.

Right! no worries.

Mike N