Metal Skinned Fuselage

[NHolloway]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has built or seen a Kitfox with metal skins. I'm interested in the possibility, particularly for leaving the aircraft outdoors.

[Planesmaker]

I would not even consider it, just be too heavy! I removed the fabric off a skyfox ( same as kitfox 3) all fabric including paint, fuselage, wings, tail etc, rolled it up and weighed it, just 6.5 kg ( just over 13lb) keep it simple keep it light! Tom

[patrick.hvac]

If you wanted to go this route wouldn't you be better off with a Rans S21?

[Agfoxflyer]

I'm helping my brother build a Rans S21. I wouldn't recommend going that route also. To keep weight down the aluminum is so thin that we have had several dings in the aluminum. Some we could take out with cold-heat process. With fabric unless a sharp object hits it there is little damage normally. My plan has been covered 15 years and very little wear & tear.

[rogerh12]

I have had both all aluminum, and all fabric planes
Drop a tool on the all metal plane, and you have a dent, if it's a light sport plane (thin metal)
Drop it on fabric, it bounced off. Hail, same thing.
Drop a knife, or anything sharp, you have a hole in the fabric, maybe a big one.
There is no perfect solutions....pick your poison
Hope this helps
Roger