Leading edge spoilers

[n6346m]

After dismantling both wings, I find absolutely no indication or trace of where or how the stall strips were installed on the wing. The wooden leading edges which appear to be original show no marks of ever having anything glued or nailed to them. I'm wondering if the wings were covered first and had the strips glued on to the fabric and then covered them with wide finishing tape. I can see that if someone brought in a wing stripped of its fabric for recover that the person doing the job would never know that they existed. That could explain why mine were missing. Does anyone know how it was originally done?

Bob Picard

[Mark Bowden]

Bob, your premise is correct. If you look on the plan view drawing in the note, it says pinked tape. Glue on and cover with pinked tape. These are most effective aerodynamically if very the tip of the strip is razor sharp. Covering it with fabric will lower the effectivity. I suspect it was applied after the wing was covered. One, it would have been way easier and two, only one layer of tape would keep the shape as sharp as possible.

[n6346m]

Thank you Mark, that makes sense. I think that's the way I'm going to do them.

Bob