Whatzit?

[rammon3]

After removing the fabric from the right wing, I noticed there is a paper like material on the inside of the aileron well between the aluminum well and the ribs it's attached to. It covers most of the inside, but is quite fragile. What is it and why is it there?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Whatzit?

Are you sure it isn't pealed varnish from when the spar was coated? If the varnish gets on the metal it won't stick well and will peal off in sheets and be trapped inside the surface.
Hank

[Robert Lees]

Re: Whatzit?

..Or is it decades-old linen fabric (fragile like an Egyptian mummy cotton covering) from the inside of the aileron cove?

[mulwyk]

Re: Whatzit?

That linen crap stuck in the aileron cove holes may outlast the mummy windings.
After cleaning and scrubbing and scotch-briteing my aileron coves for countless happy hours, I thought I was finally rid of the stuff. But come pre-cover inspection, my IA arched an eyebrow at me, reached over picked out yet another 1/4" fleck I had missed.

[rammon3]

Re: Whatzit?

I'll try and get some pics tonight and post.

[Doc]

Re: Whatzit?

The aileron cove lightening holes were covered on the inside with linen at the factory prior to assembly to keep insects out of the wing. I had to completely disassemble all of the metal parts to remove this very old material. Doc

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Whatzit?

Actually that could be linen or cotton or dartmouth (sp) cloth. the inside of the cove had a cloth lining so that the outside cover would BOND to it through the lightening holes to prevent the outer cover from pulling away from the cove and binding the ailerons by "bridging" the cove. Not really necessary with the modern cover and the sticky cement , but I still used it the last cover job.

[rammon3]

Re: Whatzit?

I won't bother with the pics. The responses make perfect sense. I might take the cove off and remove it since it is pretty ratty anyway. Any reason to replace it with anything? By the way, I plan to use Polyfiber process all the way.

[t30mg]

Re: Whatzit?

Poly-fiber huh?
Have you researched the Stewart's System.
I went with stewart's this time and no turning back now.
No nasty chemicals. Easy to work with. Easy to clean up. Fantastic 6 disc dvd intructional video. Dan will take call after call from you if you have questions or concerns.
There entire system costs a little less and is supposed to weigh a bit less.
Might be worth checking out if you haven't.