Maybe there's a VW powered version.
The original Squirrel design is for a VW powered airplane, but I think I've pushed the weight a little too high for VW power. I guess I'll see when I get the fuselage finished and weigh it. Marvin's airplane weighs in at 850 lbs, but I expect MOASI to push 1000 lbs due to the increased size and a different construction method.
Marvin and Oscar are building their aircraft out of wood, foam and fiberglass.
I read a couple of magazine articles on the many hours of sanding out fiberglass finishes and the temperature requirements and decided to take a different road.
I increased most of the wood structural components, (other than the 3/4"x3/4" stringers) at least 50% in size. Most of my back ground, (30 years) has been wood construction. I just felt that the airframe should be able to take a lot of punishment.
I then placed foam between the wood members and covered them both inside and outside with Aluminum sheet. I could remember enough from high school shop class to bend the Aluminum. I actually made all the bends using a old piece of angle iron and a rubber mallet. (see construction pages)
I later found out that this method is similar to the method W.A.R. Aircraft Inc. uses on their airplanes. The only difference being that they finish the outside with plywood rather than Aluminum.
The Aluminum is bonded to the wood and foam using polyurethane glue and then riveted at the joints. So far this method has produced a material as strong as the fiberglass composite without all the hassle of sanding for an eternity to get a smooth finish. Basically I have ended up with a fairly easy method of producing the fuselage.
This is a photo of the cabin standing on its back and getting the Aluminum covering.
So far, the fuselage has made it through 6 months of 100 degree days and cold nights without showing any signs of flexing or separation. This winter it will get the 20 below zero test.
The cabin is nearly complete.