On Aug 27, 10:34*pm, mike malis wrote:
It has been said of the SHK, *"You can trust a tree", *but wooden
gliders are made up of tree bits. The spar laminations are not
resorcinal, but modified casien glue typically. I have seen clear
adhesive failures in one case.

Knowledgeable wood and fabric mechanics do not grow on, ahem, trees

Would you consider a nice two seat metal ship instead?

;-)

Casein glues are known to fail after about 25 years. When I was in
the UK, the Duxford museum was re-gluing a de Havilland Mosquito.

From another (dated) thread
quote
Recently, I restored a 1939 British glider.
It was casein.
There was not one glue failure in the entire project.
Not one.
It had been maintained in a proper manner. Varnish and such.
I have found that if the Casein is bad , the wood is bad too. If it
has had
such poor care, the entire project should be in a museum and not
flown.
Regards,
Bob Gaines
Marietta, GA
/unquote

Resorcinol and urea formaldehyde glues are regarded as superior, but I
recall some comments that early resorcinols were showing some
mechanical losses.

My recommendation would be to ask Uncle Hank. Use the SSA Member
Locator and search Henry Nixon. He'll know who's qualified in the
area. Second choice would be to contact M&H or the Soaring Museum.
Peter Smith might know who to ask.

Good luck,

Frank Whiteley