Driftless
Donor
The predominant structures of most early aircraft incorporated extensive use of external struts and wires to achieve stability, especially for wings. While this concept worked well to a point, there was a significant penalty in drag.
To my knowledge, while there may have been other proponents of cantilever construction to achieve structural strength and reduce drag; Hugo Junkers was the engineer who first achieve production success. Even then, it took a number of years for the method to fully take hold.
Was there a practical POD for making this shift in design be accepted as a better answer, at an earlier date?
*edit* What might have been some impacts of an earlier acceptance of that construction method?
To my knowledge, while there may have been other proponents of cantilever construction to achieve structural strength and reduce drag; Hugo Junkers was the engineer who first achieve production success. Even then, it took a number of years for the method to fully take hold.
Was there a practical POD for making this shift in design be accepted as a better answer, at an earlier date?
*edit* What might have been some impacts of an earlier acceptance of that construction method?
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