One Piece leading edge?

[TimHicks]

I plan to replace the leading edge on my 1946 BC-12 with prewar (13 rib, built-up ribs) wings. I found available material from airparts:

https://www.airpartsinc.com/shopexd.asp?id=304

I'll receive one 32' long roll of 12" wide aluminum. Should I cut it into 4 pieces per wing? Or can I use just one continuous piece per wing?

Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: One Piece leading edge?

You can put it on in one piece. Please document how you did it if you can find a way to get it on smooth and straight. I haven't tried it but have heard trying to put the LE on in one piece is a lot like wrestling with an angry python.
Anybody ever done it with good results?
Hank

[N96337]

Re: One Piece leading edge?

I've never seen good long term results from a one piece leading edge like you're talking about. That wing flexes and moves, so eventually a problem shows up, it seems. I just keep them shorter and never have problems.
John

[3Dreaming]

Re: One Piece leading edge?

I agree with John that it is a bad idea. The 1 piece leading edge will tend to loosen or break the nose ribs. Tom

[Mark Julicher]

Re: One Piece leading edge?

I did the one-piece leading edges a long time ago on the advice of several local geezers, (Who had never done any themselves as it turn out.)
Holy cow it was a PITA. Lots of motorcycle straps, hand shaping and special words. And it was not in conformance.
It did not look any better that the three piece, so next re-build it was back to the original method.

[TimHicks]

Re: One Piece leading edge?

Thanks to everyone who replied. I really appreciate learning from your experience.
I'll put it on in 3 pieces. My current LE's have one piece from the butt rib to rib 5. Then another from Rib 5 to Rib 8.
Then a third piece from Rib 8 to Rib 12.
I'll plan to go back on the same way.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: One Piece leading edge?

If you notice on any original LE pieces , late 41 46 they started out screwed down from the butt out; then the holes are slotted to allow for expansion & contraction of the aluminum ( later models) ...yes they will slide a bit with heat. Very early ships had one piece , very thin ,