Wood wing ribs?

[Warren]

Looking at a BC12 project, I am wondering, what years wooden wing ribs were used?

[NC36061]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

Warren,

No wood ribs were ever used on any B models, those are model D tandem/L2 wings, or someone's "experimental" rebuild effort. All model B ribs are aluminum, built-up riveted truss type on pre-war and early post-war production, and stamped three-piece ribs on all other post-war airplanes.

Dave

[Warren]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

That's what I was thinking too. Haven't seen it in person yet, but they say "logs since new". I may have to see those, out of curiosity. He's asking
$3500 for "complete" airplane

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

There are some stamped metal ribs behind the fuselage tail in the third photo. If he ever replaced the ribs with wood ones there should be a pretty detailed log entry with all of the approval data from the FAA. There are a LOT of undocumented modifications out there. Some pretty unsafe. Not saying wood ribs aren't safe, some acro planes have them and are VERY strong, but they also may not be under normal certification any more. If something as major as replacing all of the wing ribs isn't logged you can bet you will spend a LOT of time finding everything else!
NOT that it can't be done. I have plenty of stamped ribs and spare parts are pretty easy to find for us, but if the ribs are not in the log I would plan on doing a COMPLETE rebuild of every single part to look for other "discrepancies".
Just based on the photos I would pay that much for her if I was looking for a post war plane to rebuild (assuming no major problems I don't see), but you are looking at a real basket case and if the ribs aren't logged it is NOT complete.

Hank

If you buy her and the wood rib wings are good, just not legal, you have the makings of a really neat Breezy after the Taylorcraft!

[astjp2]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

Detailed log book entry? HAHAHA, it probably says repaired wings by replacing ribs, or just wings recovered with >>>><<<<< insert brand....or just forgotten about.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

Actually it "might" say "repaired wings", but most likely you won't find a word anywhere. That does NOT mean it wouldn't be a good project, just that you need to be darned sure you figure out what the log book configuration is and what the ACTUAL configuration is. Make the logs and airframe/engine match and you are golden.

Hank

That means if you miss too much on the pre-buy it may take a lot of Gold to get her right.

[Warren]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

You are correct Hank. The wings are a previous owners attempt to go experimental. Like you said, maybe a "Breezy". I'll take a closer look after the holiday week.

[Marv]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

Is that an A Model wing? Looks like one to me, from what i remember.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

The photos of the wings look like they are well built and a nice set. I would definitely keep them! You could even build a plane around them like a Breezy or even an "aerodynamically" equal Taylorcraft or even a "sneaky" Cub. An aluminum tube Cub "look alike" with those wings would probably fly circles around a "real" Cub. There are also a LOT of classic designs that would be fun to build a replica of. As an experimental there are also a lot of the old struts that are PERFECTLY serviceable that failed the FAA test because of minor corrosion on the insides, although it I was doing a light weight replica I might design aluminum struts and save a bunch of weight.
I need to dig through my old books and see if there is an interesting plane that is extinct now. Any idea how much the wings weigh?

Hank

[Warren]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

Not sure how much they weigh, sounds like they have been handed off as a project once already.

[Bigdog]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

Is that an A Model wing? Looks like one to me, from what i remember.

It's not an L-2/D model wing, at least not a pure one. It's got aluminum tip ribs, leading edge and aileron bay covers. All were wood on the wood wing L-2's.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wood wing ribs?

They look like the ones you saw on Acro mod Taylorcrafts years ago. I am betting someone wanted stronger wings and the common accepted word then was that the wood ones were much better. Never heard of anyone proving it. I wouldn't want to! They are probably just as good for a "Standard Normal" plane, just not certified designs.
I bet someone got her and wanted to "improve" the design. What are the last log entries where she flew? Any chance someone tore up the wings and a rebuild never happened? Was it flown with the wood ribs?

Hank