Wood is the earliest type of fuselage and is still in use today. Constructing a wood aircraft fuselage is more akin to boat building than airplanes. Wood can be bent, carved, shaped and laminated into a variety of forms. These forms are then used to manufacture the fuselage frame and attachment points for the wings and control surfaces (flaps and fins). Wood is an ideal aircraft construction material because it will flex and give without breaking up to a certain amount of stress. Wood is also easily repaired if the fuselage is damaged.
Modern small biplanes (having an upper and lower wing) and some float planes (that take off and land on water) use some or all of the fuselage construction out of wood. The outer cover may be metal or cloth as with the earliest aircraft.
All metal fuselage construction began before the first world war but become the predominant fuselage construction method in the years between the wars. Metal can be cast or bent quickly into a variety of forms. Welding or riveting makes quick work of assembly.
One disadvantage of metal compared to wood is weight. As more power is needed to lift a plane with an all-metal fuselage, the development of the metal aircraft was slowed while powerplant technology worked to catch up. By the time of World War II and since, all commercial and military aircraft have had metal fuselage designs.
Composite fuselage construction is a relatively new industrial process but is being adopted quickly by most major aircraft manufacturers. Composed of plastic, graphite composite cloth and other flexible materials, the fuselage is constructed as a single piece. Composite materials combine the lighter weight of wood with the durability and strength of metal. Composite fuselage construction provides durability and long life to aircraft and thus increases the efficiency and profitability for the aircraft's owner.
