Leather patches for rudder cable holes

[Joel Severinghaus]

I just ran across the 1939 factory drawing for part number A-729 "leather patch - rudder cable." It's a teardrop-shaped piece of "flannel back leatherette", 4 1/2 inches long, with a 1 inch radius semicircular front, tapering back to a point.

Would the 1946 BC12-Ds have had those leather patches glued on where the rudder cables exit the fuselage fabric, or just a fabric patch reinforcement?

I also see the same leather patch on the left elevator drawing from 1941, reinforcing the hole where the trim tab actuator rod comes out of the fabric on the underside of the elevator. Did they put a leather patch there too in 1946?

Thanks for your help guys -- the collective wisdom and institutional memory of forum members never ceases to amaze me.

[cpirrmann]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

My 1946 BC-12D has them. Don't know if they were on the original fabric from the factory though.

[mulwyk]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

The A-729 patch looks a bit crude to my eye. I modified it as follows: I kept the 4 1/2 length, but used a 1 1/4" radius in front and a 1/4" radius aft (instead of tapering to a point) And the top and bottom lines are not straight, they are slightly convex...about .3" camber on each line.

I got some soft "glove" leather from HobbyLobby and cut out the patches with my pinking shears. There's a 5/8" long cable slot that I cut with a Xacto knife. 5/8' is just long enough to allow pushing the cable end fittings through while still giving a pretty good seal around the cable.

I glued my patches on with Poly-Tak.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

Looks a LOT better than what was on my plane (big ugly race track ovals). I would suggest making a small round hole at the ends of the cable slot to keep the leather from tearing.
Hank

Now I need to find some nice maroon leather and take those nasty patches off my plane.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

Now I need to find some nice maroon leather and take those nasty patches off my plane.

Hank, send me a photo of the maroon color you want. I MAY have not thrown out the whole box of leather swatches I had in various colors. I may have thrown it out, every once in a while I have a hangar purge. 50-50 chance, but if it's still there chances are I have a couple of pieces in the color you want. Same for anyone else wanting colored leather.

[wmfife]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

Leatherette is NOT leather. It is a very realistic synthetic copy.
The original product apparently is UK based with at least one company's factory in the U.S.

http://www.fabricuk.com/fabrics.php?fabric_type=169#dataform

http://www.automobiletrim.com/vinyl-leatherette.html

It (currently) comes in fabric-, foam- and (evidently once at least) flannel-backed.
...Good to know for doing original upholstery trim on the Deluxe models.

[NY86]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

Leatherette is NOT leather.

OK, now I bet you're going to try to convince me that Naugahyde does not come from Naugas, too...

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

That's "Naugies". They look like big leather worms. When you skin them you get these perfect rectangular hides. Really pretty in nature since they come in several colors.
Hank

[rammon3]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

I'll bet we could find a congressman to introduce a bill to ban the "senseless slaughter of naugas". Based on what I see in D.C., it shouldn't be hard at all.

[Doc]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

I pinked out some leather stock and glued the material to the fabric...very easy job. I also did this to the rudder wiring outlet. Doc

[wmfife]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

That's "Naugies". They look like big leather worms. When you skin them you get these perfect rectangular hides. Really pretty in nature since they come in several colors.
Hank

Yes, but the metallic ones are really rare now.
Seems they were hunted for a popular fashion fad that nearly wiped them out. . . . .

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

They are still out there, they hide around Nuke power plants.
Hank

[wmfife]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

...We'll just have to build more plants, then.

- Let's hope they don't go extinct on our watch.
. . . . . . . . . .

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

Quit it I need to get some stuff done this morning then off for some Snipe huting this evening....

[wmfife]

Re: Leather patches for rudder cable holes

FWIW I've ordered four samples of the real thing all the way from the UK.
- Hope they can do the money exchange ok as I charged it in USD.

Forrest I need to find out what color scheme mine was originally so I can match the trim.
The FAA cd records didn't have that info.
Do you need any paperwork?

Just let me know.
(Re-covering due in three y and counting..)

NC29885
S/N: 2736
Mfd. 4/41.