I would guess that the construction techniques used
were similar to those used in boatbuilding.

http://www.albacore.org/USA/members/...g_albacore.asp
http://www.boats.com/content/default...contentid=1184
http://www.albacore.org/USA/members/...g_albacore.asp
May help.

There is a remarkable wooden flying boat hull in the RAF Museum
at Hendon that was built in the early 1920s. It has a 'moulded'
hull which appears to have been constructed using boatbuilding
techniques of the time.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/supermarine-southampton.htm

With its varnished finish it is simply stunning to
look at.