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Folding the fuselage instead of the wings?

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cluttonfred

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Splitting this off from another thread so it doesn't get lost....

In the context of discussing biplane folding wings, @flitzerpilot asked, "Ever thought about a folding fuselage behind the wings? Didn't some examples of the 'Ship's Camel' feature that?"

To which I replied, "The best example of a folding fuselage biplane that comes to mind is the funky immediate post-WWI Parnall Panther with a laminated veneer fuselage like an Albatros. Though, to be honest, unless the fuselage half can hinge around close to 180 degrees (tough with wires and struts in the way) and the overall length is under 16', I don't see how that could make a package as narrow as folding wings. It does seem like a good system for a cantilever monoplane if you keep the length intentionally short though I don't know of any planes designed to be folded and unfolded daily that way."

parnall panther (2).jpg parnall panther (1).jpg

And @Dana added, "The SNS-8 Hiperlight has a removable aft fuselage for transport."

sns8 hiperlight.jpg

I think this idea has merit and is worth exploring so I created this thread for that. Any other examples, and not just biplanes? Pros and cons? Neat ideas?
 
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