First look at the aileron

[mhorowit]

Re: First look at the aileron

At the trailing edge, the steel tube connects to an aluminum strip; I thought one didn’t do that with dissimilar metals; guess I’m wrong. - Mike

Ah - on drawing D-A803 we see the note "Use zinc chromate primer prior to assy of any steel parats that come in contact with Aluminum spars"; that's a good answer - Mike

[crispy critter]

Re: First look at the aileron

Mike,
If you want to use steel wool or wire brushes on of the aluminum you can do so "BUT" make sure you only use brass or stainless steel.

[mhorowit]

Re: First look at the aileron

Make sure the doubler plates are still attached well. I have taken alot of them apart and found although the spar was still good, the glue joint has failed around doubler. If those are still good, repair revarnish, and go on.

Mike

Got something going on this weekend, but I'll remove the various brackets ASAP and give the doublers (at first glance the appear to be three) a good look. - Mike

[mhorowit]

Re: First look at the aileron

Mike,
I might have an aileron tip bow and maybe even a good leading edge.I have several aileron parts and I think I even have a few servicable ailerons. You can have what you need if you want to pay shipping.

That's very generous Kevin - thanks.
Before I can take advantage of your offer, I need to evaluate where I stand with this part.
I know next to nothing about how to work with AL except that using steel wool to remove the white powder is probably not a good idea (embedding steel fibers in soft AL (jump in if I'm wrong).
I'll take a better look at it tomorrow. - Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: First look at the aileron

Make sure the doubler plates are still attached well. I have taken alot of them apart and found although the spar was still good, the glue joint has failed around doubler. If those are still good, repair revarnish, and go on.

Mike

[crispy critter]

Re: First look at the aileron

I took the fabric off the left aileron this afternoon. I see some white power (pic) on the metal (which I assume is corrosion), but don’t notice any pitting. The steel tube at the distal end is rusted thru (pic), but I can bend a new piece easily; it appears to have an interesting fitting where it connects to a wood end piece. At the trailing edge, the steel tube connects to an aluminum strip; I thought one didn’t do that with dissimilar metals; guess I’m wrong.

I was concerned about the possibility of a split spar (pic), but recalled that we’d discussed that in many cases we could expect to see the spar made of two pieces glued edge-to-edge.

The aluminum ribs all look good and the aluminum inside the ribs still looks shiny; I’m tempted to ask if I really need to take this apart, or can I treat it without removing all the screws and nails. Any opinions? - Mike

Mike,
I might have an aileron tip bow and maybe even a good leading edge.I have several aileron parts and I think I even have a few servicable ailerons. You can have what you need if you want to pay shipping.

[Winston L.]

Re: First look at the aileron

I would replace the steel tip bow as you said. The corrosion on the aluminum that I see in the picture could be cleaned when it is assembled. Look for any corrosion inside the leading edge on the aluminum. Check between the ribs and the leading edge as well as you can see. If all of that looks good you could prep and cover again from what I see. It is important to identify and stop any corrosion though. Any place you remove corrosion on the aluminum I would prime at least with zinc chromate. If you are covering with stits I would use the epoxy primer they call out for (on areas that will come in contact with the fabric). Look at the spars closely and make sure you don't see any discoloration or rot.


Winston

[mhorowit]

I took the fabric off the left aileron this afternoon. I see some white power (pic) on the metal (which I assume is corrosion), but don’t notice any pitting. The steel tube at the distal end is rusted thru (pic), but I can bend a new piece easily; it appears to have an interesting fitting where it connects to a wood end piece. At the trailing edge, the steel tube connects to an aluminum strip; I thought one didn’t do that with dissimilar metals; guess I’m wrong.

I was concerned about the possibility of a split spar (pic), but recalled that we’d discussed that in many cases we could expect to see the spar made of two pieces glued edge-to-edge.

The aluminum ribs all look good and the aluminum inside the ribs still looks shiny; I’m tempted to ask if I really need to take this apart, or can I treat it without removing all the screws and nails. Any opinions? - Mike