A strong fuselage is an important factor in a good flying model. If you use lighter wood between 5 and 7 pound density, then you can make a body from thicker wood and taper it down to reduce weight while maintaining its strength. This photo shows a balsa blank that is 14" long x 3/16" wide x 3/8" high and weigh 1.86gr.

Measure 4.5" from each end of the stick, and mark it with a pen.

Use a razor plane and remove the excess balsa from the body as shown below.

When you are done it should look something like this.

Then use the razor plane to shave some wood off the sides of the body as well.

You want to taper the wood until it is about 1/8" x 1/4" at each end. This tapering of the motorstick removes the excess material which is not needed. It also reduces the weight of the motorstick.

Now take the wire bearing you made, and cut the angle on the nose of the body to match that of the wire bearing.

Now take a single edge razor blade and cut into the front of the body to make a slot for the bearing to fit into.

Push the bearing into the slot, then place a piece of wire in the bearing so we can set the sidethrust and downthrust. Adjust the bearing so you get about 2 degrees of left thrust and zero downthrust.
 

The next step is to add the rear hook spacer and the rear hook.

And the finished product at 1.60gr.

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