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Old 04-03-2013, 04:10 PM   #19 (permalink)
aerohead
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elastic structures

I'm suspicious of an elastic membranes ability to 'hold its shape' under aerodynamic loading.I think you'll see oscillations and flutter at road speeds unless you could provide extreme tension.
I would tend towards an inflated envelope.Even ballistic missiles and rockets with extremely thin skin section can withstand aeroelastic effects if the airframe is provided with a modest inflation pressure.
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