Hatz Biplane Association

I am preping to order material for my center section trailing edge. The plans specifically call for mahogany, which was a surprise (I was expecting to build it out of spruce cap strips). So now that I am off balance, I am filled with questions....
Why are the plans so specific about mahogany in this one area? Are we talking mahogany ply or solid mahogany? 1/8 inch strips or 1/16? etc.

The question really is....What did other people do?

- Brad

Hi Brad,

We thought that mahagony is not mandatory and used just fine pine instead. It must be a wood that is easy to carve as there is no critical strength reason. According to the plans it will be sheeted on top and bottom with plywood anyway. Using a light wood is preferable, we think although.
Happy building

Hans & Sam, Switzerland

I did the same...1/8" strips of pine glued up in a jig, then sanded to shape with a hand held belt sander. Easy and fun! The biggest issue is deciding where to place the hand holds/ one at each tip, one in the middle with one at the left tip, just one in the middle??? I chose one in the middle and one on the left tip.

Mark T
#493

I used Mahagony and covered the center section with aluminum.

Michael
N838MM

That mahogany sure is pretty wood!

Mark T