OK, this is a crazy "what if..." but seeing as how the -12 uses only pop rivets, what would be the implications of assembling a -7 kit the same way?
There would be more drag. The plane would be slower. It would be uglier.
Structurally, how significant is the difference? would it be equivalent? or almost equivalent? would it be safe? If a -7 is strong enough for aerobatics with solid rivets, would it be strong enough for more "normal" use if assembled in this manner?
What else would change?
I understand that this is a question that only the engineers at Van's can answer authoritatively, but I'm curious to know what the collective wisdom on the topic is here.
There would be more drag. The plane would be slower. It would be uglier.
Structurally, how significant is the difference? would it be equivalent? or almost equivalent? would it be safe? If a -7 is strong enough for aerobatics with solid rivets, would it be strong enough for more "normal" use if assembled in this manner?
What else would change?
I understand that this is a question that only the engineers at Van's can answer authoritatively, but I'm curious to know what the collective wisdom on the topic is here.