Pre-war Truss Ribs

[M Towsley]

Hey all,

I have no idea what I am talking about but a friend of mine told me to look for some pre-war truss ribs. Thanks!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Pre war ribs look like the photo attached. The later wings had 15 ribs instead of 13 and used stamped sheet metal ribs like the second photo. What do you need them for? Usually the pre-war ribs are used by more "anal" restorers (why are you guys grinning and looking at me?) since plenty of the stamped ribs are available and are a lot less damage prone. The weight difference is fairly insignificant.
Hank

Yes, I know the stamped ones are bent up and the stick ones are nice, but give me a break, the stamped ones in the picture came from my 45 after it was flipped on it's back. the built up ones would have been mangled after that.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

There is a couple versions. Some had the nose "X" braced instead of one diagonal brace. I think those were the later ones. Also the 15 rib wings were 1200 gross which was only on the DeLuxe prewar and the '45 postwar. All others were 13 as hank mentioned. BUT the '45 wing was still different and had a postwar style leading edge and wing tip bow.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Confused yet? Now you know why we were asking why you wanted them. We aren't just nosy (we ARE nosy, that just isn't the ONLY reason we ask) ;-)
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

He is attempting to build a very, very light plane to pull antique gliders with. He and his family have had extensive T-Craft experience, his mom had about 55,000 hours most in Taylorcrafts. And no, I did not typo that number. So I would assume by your comments that is why he is looking for the lighter ribs.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

He is attempting to build a very, very light plane to pull antique gliders with. He and his family have had extensive T-Craft experience, his mom had about 55,000 hours most in Taylorcrafts. And no, I did not typo that number. So I would assume by your comments that is why he is looking for the lighter ribs.

Well he is aproaching the hours and dollars I have in looking for these suckers!
All kidding aside I had no idea ribs were going to be this much trouble 5 years ago.
L

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

He is attempting to build a very, very light plane to pull antique gliders with. He and his family have had extensive T-Craft experience, his mom had about 55,000 hours most in Taylorcrafts. And no, I did not typo that number. So I would assume by your comments that is why he is looking for the lighter ribs.

The only one I know with those kinds of times, sounds like Robin Reid.

[cvavon]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Marty there are two complete wings on ebay all parts no spars $2000.00 that are pre war

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Been listed MANY times and unfortunately WAY over priced. If they are building up a tow plane they really should look at the stamped rib wings. Less expensive, stronger and MUCH more utilitarian. I have two planes with both types of wins and the stamped ones are better for any working plane. The weight difference is insignificant.
Use the money saved for a larger engine and good climb prop. Also make sure the cooling system is done to perfection. Tow planes burn up engines.
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Chuck, those wings are too much money. I already pointed them out to him. Thanks, though.

Mike, it is Robin. As you know he and his mom have/had a lot of T-Craft time.

Hank, I forgot what his weight goal is but it is super light. I will let him low about the weight difference, but he probably already knows. He is well aware of just about anything that flies. Especially Taylorcraft. He was here a couple of weeks ago and we flew my friends 1928 Stearman C3B and Ryan PT-22. He already knows what he is going to use for an engine, but I cannot remember the details. Thanks.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Tell him not to forget good mirror mounts. I flew gliders and always thought a skylight with a good mirror on top would be great for seeing a glider in too high a tow (the position that dumps the tow plane into the ground). To see low tow I guess you need a couple of extra strut mirrors.
Hank

Anyone ever seen a Taylorcraft with a window in the floor you could put a mirror under?
Now a SWEET deal would be a small video camera that looked aft from the fin and auto steered along the tow rope! You would need a wire frame behind it showing the "box" and a little mount in the glove box for a mini screen. I bet the whole thing could be built for less weight and drag than the mirrors. Anyone want to set up a little business with me to make them? With a passenger joy stick you could point the camera any direction when not towing. Make some GREAT videos!

[astjp2]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

I have been working on building the tooling to make the pre war ribs, Gawd its time consuming and expensive. TIm

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

For those of us who have an "originality fetish" the "T" section stick ribs are the way to go, but that is because we are nuts. Having one plane with each type of ribs I can't think of a single reason to use the pre-war ribs except that you can use rib stitching instead of the Taylorcraft wires (and having done both of those why would ANYONE ever want to use rib stitching?)
I plan to put built up ribs on Josh's plane because he had said he wanted to return her to original (which is a shame since I have plenty of ribs to go with stamped rib wing). If anyone wants to swap built up ribs for stamped sheet ones I am open to trade, and if ANYONE comes across a 1940 orphaned fuselage for the project please let me know. I KNOW there must be a pre-war fuselage gathering dust somewhere.
Hank

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Rumor has it that the ribs from Carlson Aircraft work perfect ; especially on an Experimental . they are the 23010 airfoil ; Mary Carlson will be a great help on their pre fabed ribs .

www.carlsonaircraft.com Buy a couple and copy will work too!! thank u Hank and the guys for being there this past month. Forrest
ps I sold a bunch of pre war last month to a gentleman from Nova Scotia . Hope he made it across the border okay.

[astjp2]

Re: Pre-war Truss Ribs

Rumor has it that the ribs from Carlson Aircraft work perfect ; especially on an Experimental . they are the 23010 airfoil ; Mary Carlson will be a great help on their pre fabed ribs .

www.carlsonaircraft.com Buy a couple and copy will work too!! thank u Hank and the guys for being there this past month. Forrest
ps I sold a bunch of pre war last month to a gentleman from Nova Scotia . Hope he made it across the border okay.

Ok, no 23012 listed.....