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Originally posted by Haroki
No, I believe you. I just found it strange that it's mostly steel.
STRUCTURE: Centre-section and centre wings form one-piece
structure from wing fold to wing fold. Portion that passes
through fuselage comprises a torsion box between the front
and main spars (at 15 per cent and 40 per cent chord) and is
sealed to form two integral fuel tanks.
Spars are machined from large forgings.
Centre wings also have forged rear spar. Centreline rib,
wing-fold ribs, two intermediate ribs forward of main spar and
two aft of main spar are also made from forgings. Wing skins
machined from aluminium panels 0.635 m (2[1/2] in) thick,with
integral stiffening. The fuselage is an all-metal semi
monocoque structure. Forward fuselage built in port and
starboard halves, so that most internal wiring and finishing
can be done before assembly.
Keel and rear sections make use of steel and titanium.
Double- wall construction under fuel tanks and for lower
section of rear fuselage, with ram-air cooling.
The tail unit is a cantilever all-metal structure, with 23 of
anhedral on one-piece all-moving tailplane which has slotted
leading-edges.
Ribs and stringers of tailplane are of steel, skin titanium and
trailing-edge of steel honeycomb.