[CR] Reynolds Aircraft (Airframe) Applications : did the plane PLANE ?

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot)

Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2010 11:44:38 -0800
From: "michael fabian" <emeneff@gmail.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Reynolds Aircraft (Airframe) Applications : did the plane PLANE ?


If Reynolds tubing was used in airframe applications it would almost certainly have been straight guage - controlling where the internal butts and tapers would end up in the spider-web of tubing that makes up an airframe would be just about impossible in a factory setting. I was also under the impression that the gauges, or wall thicknesses of airframe tubing are usually quite a bit thicker than what is used in bicycle frame fabrication. Different structures and different stresses for sure . . . at 20,000 feet a joint failure is somewhat more important than in your local time-trial.

One thing to remember also about airframe fabrication is that I believe the technique used for joining back then was all gas WELDING with a steel filler rod. I don't think there was much, if any brass fillet brazing done for structural applications. I remember reading a book from the WW2 era that detailed welding practices for aircraft and it was all about low-pressures, small tip sizes, Oxygen and Hydrogen gasses, and LOTS of skill and practice. There was no mention of TIG / Heli-Arc welding at all. I was told that one of the reasons TIG welding was developed (later in the war years) was to be able to produce more reliable joints, faster than the gas-welding method.

Over the years I've heard people say things like Reynolds 531 was what they used in the Spitfire fighters, and the Jaguar XKE. In some ways this strikes me as trying to compare apples to oranges WRT bicycle frame applications, but I guess it sure SOUNDS impressive.

Never flew a Spitfire or drove an XKE - bet it would be a hoot !

And finally, can't sign off without asking the all-important question regarding a Spitfire built with 531 tubing - did the plane PLANE ???

Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha ! (Apologies to Jan H. and BQ)

Regards,
Mike Fabian
San Francisco, CA