Pre War Ribs

[Jim Herpst]

Tribe please anyone . Do you have some have some good (read airworthy) prewar ribs you would care to sell ? Thanks to all for a response. JIM

[lktiller]

Re: Pre War Ribs

probably not what you need, but I built my own. Cheap. Owner-supplied/engineered parts.
Constructed a jig (hammered nails in a board) using a good rib as a pattern.
bought cap-strip 't'-stock & bridge stock from Wag-aero & Wicks. (Listing for Piper rib stock)
Made a crimping tool from a large pair of pliers. Purchased hand-crimper was useless. Too big, not enough crimp.
Bought a rivet squeezer-tool w/dies from Aircraft Spruce.

Most difficult was the nose curve. All must be identical for the leading edge to conform smoothly. Can build up low nose rib with extra chafing tape, A high nose rib must be replaced/rebuilt before installing the leading edge.
Sure glad CG put screws in the leading edge.

A little practice with the home-made crimping tool, lots of practice with the rivet tool and everything fell into place.

Also the old ribs are easier to repair than you might think. Cut out damaged section of rib cap. Cut new stock three inches longer. Slip over old rib stock 1-1/2 inch at each end. Put four rivets per inch in the web of the 't'.
Bridge work and spar mount easy to replace if one is very gentle in grinding & punching out rivets.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Thanks Larry. I am still going to try to get some more good ones to add to what I have (ANYONE WANT TO SELL SOME ??) . Your info is very much appreciated and I will order some stock from Wicks and see what I can do with repairs.Your info is the kind of thing that keeps our site the greatest!
Thanks again.
Jim

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Try calling Jeff Paulson at Evergreen Aviation. He has lots of bits and bobs in the back of his hangar.

http://www.evergreenaviationservices.com/

Also, a few years ago (5?), I was at an EAA Chapter 105 hangar sale and some local guy bought a huge pile of Taylorcraft ribs and "stuff". If I recall correctly it was the wrap up of the Bogardis estate sale. You might try calling Bob Stark at Twin Oaks (7S3) he might remember who got the pile, or go through one of the chapter officers. They might be able to bring it up at a chapter meeting or through email to the members.

- Carl -

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Carl, Likewise the greatest. Much appreciate the lead on the ribs. ANYONE else please respond if you can. Thank you to all. It makes me thankfull for all CG Taylor did for the few of us privlaged enough to make use of his genius. the best plane flying and the best people on earth who fly it!!

Jim

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Jim -

I sent an email to a chapter 105 member that I know but I encourage you to follow up on your own.

- Carl -

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Will do Carl. Thanks again

Jim

[Ray36048]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Jim, I have a near complete set of ribs. I sent you an email with details.

Ray

[stormman]

Re: Pre War Ribs

i have a pile of them in Arkansas that i bought for my 1946 not knowing that they made both kinds that year! Split year, built up and stamped in 1946. But i wont be back in Arkansas for 2 months. i bet Forrest has a bunch.
On another note i see Bob is playing with my Terrorcraft skull and crossbones
I like it

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Pre War Ribs

Stormin, Thank you for the reply. I have some that I hope are here any day (like today).Based on what I believe is going to be in the box I can always use more of the built up type. (I have two projects going 1940 vintage) Thanks and please let me know when you return to Arkansas.
(You back out in California in liberal fruitcake land ??) scuse me Neverland , OJ land ,Minority speaker of the House land, anything get married land, Hollyodd lets celebrate our selves again land, Programs out the ying yang for the needy whoever land... damn boy come back to bubba land we miss you already and the skeeters are stillholed up anyway.
Jim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre War Ribs

I have designed a home built plane that I used the Taylorcraft rib on (what else?) and we are looking at making pre war ribs and the cost of tooling. If there was enough interest it would be worth making the tooling for riveted metal ribs or possibly the stamped post war metal ones (of course you all understand these would be for experimental aircraft use only, right?).
If there isn't enough interest we will be using stick built wood ribs.
Is there interest in replacement metal (stick or sheet) ribs for clip wing conversions and such? What about all the bits and pieces pre cut and drilled for the metal stick ribs and you just put the rivets in as an owner manufactured part?
Any interest? What are they worth?
Hank J

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Pre War Ribs

First off What are they worth? Well my experience is that the built up ribs SHOULD be worth more but it aint so... Simple fact is that there are plenty of both stamped and built up ribs out there in various forms of condition. The stamped go on the planes that were built in the largest numbers and alas the ole built up ribs go on the planes far fewer in number.... supply and demand.. do the math. Now The built up are lighter and I would much rather have them on my plane any day....SOOOO for the experimental crowd I would say build the BUILT UP ribs using similar material. Do not build em heavy keep em light as the orginals . What will they bring on the market? Do not plan on making more than cost back in my opinion!!! Best wing around but also still the best kept secret. One would think that after the success of the DC3 , Citation, Beech, Helio, and Vans aircraft the flying public would be more aware of the best damn wing flyin. Not to be. Build it and they will (maybe) come.