Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

[NC22211]

New to the Forum, restoring a 1939 BL with corrosion and damage to the nose ribs. Is there a source for the "T" shaped rib material? Is there a source for replacement ribs? This plane hasn't flown since the 1950's, but is well preserved. We are going to fly it a lot, so are converting to an A-65. Will keep the 50 hp Lycoming for future owners/museum. Thanks for your advice. Bob Coolbaugh

[lktiller]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

link to this discussion on this forum and/or search on rib repair.

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?t=1966&highlight=pre-war+repair

Check with Wag-Aero, also Univair, for material (Piper stock).

[lktiller]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

Univair part numbers
-750-286 rib cap strip 6'
-750-287 diagonal strip 18"

[VictorBravo]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

Is the Piper rib stock the same as the T-craft??? I remember reading in Chet Peek's book that CG's father was a toolmaker and developed the roller forming machine (for making rib stock) from scratch.

If the available Piper stuff is the same, I'd like to buy a few pieces to repair some of my damaged or kluged up ribs when the time comes. I am certain that most pre-war airplane owners have a few mangled ribs in their airplanes.

If that stuff is available from Univair or Wag-Aero, it would seem that some enterprising Taylorcraft owner with the proper skills and experience could make up pre-war ribs for "owner produced part" orders. It appears that the only specialized tool needed would be a "fluting" machine to squeeze the corrugations into the material to form the leading edge radius. Homebuilders have a special set of hand pliers for this, but a pneumatic version or a set of rollers that do it would be more appropriate for production. Then, a relatively simple wooden jig could be made for actual rib parts assembly and riveting.

That way, they could make a few dollars, at the same time as writing their hangar and their T-craft and their toolbox off their taxes The Foundation might be able to offer this as a revenue generator as well, since I don't think the T-craft factory would concern itself with making pre-war ribs.

[lktiller]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

The Cap Stock is the same. Easily spread it somewhat to snap over the old stuff for repairs.
The new Diagonal strip is maybe 1/16" wider than the old. Just enough that they won't 'nest'.

Larry Tillery

[NC22211]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

Update on pre-war rib repair: I talked with Univair, they now only stock 12" strips of the repair strip, and at over $1.00 per inch, it is quite pricey. I emailed the Cub Club, asking if anyone there has the production die and puller capability, but no response yet. Anyone here with connections to the early Piper crowd to ask where they get their rib "T" strips? I have seen thin aluminum drawn to shapes similar to this before, using a series of 3 or 4 roller-fed formers. The cut strip goes in the first flat, comes out the last exactly formed. Then, you cut to length. Here's a thought - Univair is buying this stuff from some manufacturer - do we know whom? If we collectively dropped $2000 for a production run, I am sure we could get the cost down to a lot less than $1 per inch!

[Ray36048]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

If anyone would know, it would be Clyde Smith, "The Cub Doctor". I have a phone number of 570-748-7975. Address is RD 2 Box 545, Lock Haven, PA 17745.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

Clyde Smith is definitely "the man" on all fabric Pipers. As far as Univair, my guess is that if the Taylorcraft Foundation "special ordered" a dozen 5 foot lengths of the stock and sent Univair a long box or tube to ship it in, the problem would be solved.

How about it Forrest... The Cub Doctor meets the Taylorcraft Whisperer!

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

I like that addition to the bottom your posts, Bill Clyde & I have a lot in common, we visited a lot in the past ; Lock Haven & Carlson Aircraft to name two. WE are both second generation test pilots for our respective airplanes, Piper & Taylorcraft... Those repair kits for the ribs are still around, they use flat stock and the ribbed stuff. WE still have quite a few ribs here and pieces for repair. I WILL ask about raw stock.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

Who are the folk who produced a vhs video of the "good old days" of Piper production?
A complete rib, from flat stock, including forming, cropping, fluting and riveting in less than 60 seconds per rib?

Here we are...TM Technologies tinmmantech.com (530) 292 3506

"J3 Cub Factory Construction" and "J3 Cub Preflight"
...a tremendous historical record, especially the rib construction, since they are the same construction method.

[mgold]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

Hi not sure if this will help . But the place in kan. call The Yard may have discount stock. The phone # is 1-800-888-8991 and the web site is www.yardstore.com Lots a luck. I have bought there before.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

I have lots of old ribs to use for repairs. Good ones are almost impossible to find.

Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-War Wing Rib Repair

I have been offered two pre-war wings a fellow at my airport was going to throw away. They have bad spars but he says there are a bunch of good ribs and parts. I haven't seen the wings yet but if the ribs are good I will drop a line on the list. You guys know how fast I am so don't all rush in asking for parts. I don't even have the wings in my hangar yet, but it looks like it could be a good source.