inspection holes

[airacer]

Hi Gang...

I'm in the process of restoring a T-Cart and did not have the old fabric to use as a template for all them holes. Any info would help... thanks (she's a BC12D).

Jerry

[Hank Jarrett]

Contact me at my home email

[email protected]

and I will get you the locations. There are a couple on the fuselage that, if moved a few inches, make reaching the tail spring bolt MUCH easier!

Hank J

[lktiller]

"All them holes" Yep! Exactly 12 in each wing bottom. Positioned where the ends of the drag wires, the compression tube mounts and the spar can be inspected. Others are installed where the butt rib fittings and the strut mount bolts in the spar can be seen.

An additional 6" square hole in the top of the wing over the Aileron bellcrank is very handy. It's not a conventional round inspection plate. Held on with small pk screws.

Wouldn't hurt to have one under the wing tank. under the outlet. Difficult because it's right up against the root.

The tail has an inspection hole on the side of the fuselage near the rear to gain access to the bottom elevator cable linkage. Then one on the bottom to pull out that debris that always rolls to the rear! And allows access to the tail spring bolt/nut. And allows lubrication of the cable pulleys.

[Robert Lees]

Don't forget one (or two) under the port elevator for access to the trim mechanism, if so fitted.

[mhorowit]

Re: inspection holes

"

An additional 6" square hole in the top of the wing over the Aileron bellcrank is very handy. It's not a conventional round inspection plate. Held on with small pk screws.

Larry/Anyone: when you cut a hole like this, am I correct in assuming you re-enforce the edges with something like thin sheet metal or old fabric with all the coating still intact?

The inspection plate: constructed of what? - Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: inspection holes

Yes, Mike...like this..made from aluminium ...although mine are 3" x 6" or so.

Rob

[mhorowit]

Re: inspection holes

Yes, Mike...like this..made from aluminium ...although mine are 3" x 6" or so.

Rob

and you'll put a thin metal plate over that after you cut the hole, right? What will you do to the edges? Roll the edges down? - Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: inspection holes

Yes, basically.

I did pre-drill holes in both the covers and the frames before fabricking the frames in to the wing.

I hasten to add, in the post-war models, there is no need to have these frames...certainly not for lubrication purposes (as is required for pre-war models); it's just that I thought it was a good idea at the time. I hope never to have to pull the aileron bellcranks myself.

Rob