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Fabricating flying wires?

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Will V

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When I posted to the "hangar" a while back the response was that ( especially years ago)you could use 4130 stock and cut your own threads for drag / anti- drag wires but what about flying wires? Obviously you'll give up some speed due to the drag from not using streamlined wires ( how much speed? 10mph at 140mph?? more?) but you could powdercoat them to match your paint scheme and potentially save maybe a few thousand (?) dollars over using imported stainless streamline flying wires. This may be of benefit to those on a real squeaker budget. Besides when the view over the nose is all terra firma the slower speed buildup due to your increased drag might be comforting! ;)) So is this a dumb question? I know there will be the debate over cold-rolled vs. cut threads as well. Domost plans give the size of 4130 rod you'd need to use for flying wires and drag/ anti-drag wires? Surely everbody wasn't using stainless streamlined wire in the 50' and 60's or were they? The wires use to be available domestically years ago, right? I was thinking of building a Twister Co-ed to avoid all of this but I am starting to see the value in "known flight characteristics"! Is there value in making your own flying wires? Let the opinions fly!
 

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