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Andrew Chaplin

wrote in message
...
In article Ad6gg.5190$771.1108@edtnps89,
(Ken Chaddock) wrote:

The predominantly wooden deHavilland Mosquito was
one of the first aircraft to be designed with this capability
in mind. Against World War II radar systems, that approach was
fairly successful, but it would not be appropriate today.

I think stealth came way down the list when the Mosquito was
designed, especially as radar was so secret those days. Design of
the Mosquito started in 1938 when German Radar was unknown. It
was more likely wood was adopted because De Haviland had far more
experience with that material than metal. IIRC the DH4 had a
monocoque fuselage.

My grandfather was the engineer in the RAE's timber mechanics
laboratory in Bucks in the 30s and early 40s. AIUI, the idea of low
observability just wasn't a factor considered when he did the tests on
de Havilland's plywood aircraft construction to prove the concept for
combat aircraft. What was important was durability and structural
integrity after aerobatic stress or battle damage. If you look up the
research in the archives you'll find much of it associated with C.J.
Chaplin, M.Sc.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)