Laminated Spars

[Ray36048]

I bought a set of NOS spars that are laminated. These spars have a small plywood end cap on the root but end. What is the purpose of this cap? It does change the distance from the end of the spar to the first hole. This causes some problems with the holes lining up with spar fittings that have been modified per the Harter STC.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Laminated Spars

I bought a set of NOS spars that are laminated. These spars have a small plywood end cap on the root but end. What is the purpose of this cap? It does change the distance from the end of the spar to the first hole. This causes some problems with the holes lining up with spar fittings that have been modified per the Harter STC.

The end cap I have found on some of the later spars and is there to protect the end grain. If it is holding the bracket off from the bolt holes lining up, either remove the cap and leave it off, or plane the spar down the thickness of the cap and reinstall. Should be considered a minor repair or alteration.

Mike

[Robert Lees]

Re: Laminated Spars

The end cap is a requirement of the original drawing (and therefore the design, therefore the type approval, therefore your airworthiness certificate).

I would suggest that removal is not minor. I doubt whether any IA should sign that off. A bit of planing down might be OK. Watch for the nails...they will blunt your plane.

Just IMHO.

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Laminated Spars

laminated NOS WOW where did they come from? Rob is correct, the end cap is on the drawing, BUT , what is the problem? usually the butt fittings need to be gently tapped into place which crushes the end cap slightly. OR remove and trim spar to fit. Are they really NOS from 1945-46 or did someone do them recently?

[Ray36048]

Re: Laminated Spars

Nope, real NOS with shipping paper work dated 15 April 1946, shipped from Ohio to York, PA. I bought them last year, they were still in the original box.
Box had never been opened.

[Winston L.]

Re: Laminated Spars

Where did you find those? Winston
I checked on the end caps. They started doing that on later F models or something. Did your paper work have any dates?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Laminated Spars

They started doing that on later F models or something

My wing spars definitely had these on my rebuild, and they were definitely the original 1946 spars.

Rob

[crispy critter]

Re: Laminated Spars

Mine too...the new spars we made have them also.Kevin

[Winston L.]

Re: Laminated Spars

My wing spars definitely had these on my rebuild, and they were definitely the original 1946 spars.

Rob

I thought he meant at the extreme end of the spar, not under the butt fittings. Or, are you saying that your spars had the end caps in 46? Maybe they started that on the BC12D. Winston

[crispy critter]

Re: Laminated Spars

Winston,the spar cap is what I'm talking about.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Laminated Spars

The drawings show with and without end caps , without they recommend a goop that I will have to check on a send later. The idea is to seal the end.

[Ray36048]

Re: Laminated Spars

I removed them and install thinner plywood. They came off with little trouble. It does not appear they used anything other than vanish to glue them on.

[Winston L.]

Re: Laminated Spars

Okay, so they started that in the post war production. I remember seeing the goop that Forrest mentioned on the drawing but can't remember the name of it. I can try to find out also.

Winston

[Robert Lees]

Re: Laminated Spars

Is that "goop" the lionoil stuff?

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Laminated Spars

The drawings were post war that stuff used is "Endtite" ; I FOUND the drawings for the laminated spars, they are going for copying this week.