KR-2 N6242 has Diehl wing skins. These are RAF 48 and extend the wing span to 23 feet 6 inches. The skins are made from Vinyl Ester Resin. You must use Vinyl Ester Resin for any and all glue work that touches the skins. You must not use epoxy to glue the Vinyl Ester skins. Epoxy will not bond to cured Vinyl Ester. As the Vinyl Ester Resin cures it releases Styrene fumes that will turn your workshop into a gas chamber. A charcoal respirator rated for organic fumes will handle that. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation and the fumes do not go into the house so the dog, cat, goldfish, significant other, etc. don't get gassed out. You have to build the spars with the taper to match the skins per the Diehl plans. If you have already built the spars according to the RR plans for KR-2, you will need to junk the outer spars and build new ones, or do some weird mods which may not be safe. If you build in wing tanks per the Diehl plans, be certain that you have at least two more helpers who thoroughly understand what they are doing when you put the top skin on. And if they use glasses for reading or bifocals, MAKE DAMN SURE THEY ARE WEARING THEIR GLASSES. Don't ask why I make a fuss about that. You only get one chance to put the top skin on and you got to do it right that first time. One of the distinct advantages of Vinyl Ester Resin is that it is fuel proof. This stuff was originally developed to coat the inside of fuel tanks in refineries. Epoxy will tolerate 100 LL but will deteriorate with automotive fuels. There are additives, such as ethanol, butane, TCP, etc., in automotive fuels that will slowly destroy epoxy; Vinyl Ester is totally immune to these chemicals. I had a brief conversation with Dan Diehl a few years ago regarding the KR-2S airfoil. He had thought about producing wing skins for the KR-2S, but decided that the new tooling expense was not justified for the limited sets that he could sell. I do not know if he has revisited that decision. You could contact him at Diehl Aero-Nautical, 1855 North Elm, Jenks, OK 74037 (918) 299-4445 for further information. Sid Wood Tri-gear KR-2 N6242 Mechanicsville, MD USA [email protected]
See http://diehlaero.com/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chad Stenson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 11:18 AM Subject: KR> diehl wing skins > Everyone, > > What are anyone's thoughts on the Diehl wing skins on a KR2S? I would > assume they use the original RAF48 airfoil rather than the new one > correct? Pros or cons? $1800 doesn't seem too bad to me. Does the > additional wingspan take away any on the cruise speeds? > > Thanks > chad > >
