wing fillers

[Ray]

Re: wing fillers

Marty, not that I need them right at this moment but how long do you think it will be and how much, ballpark?

[M Towsley]

Re: wing fillers

Ray,

I would say they would be available fairly soon, David told me he should have an idea this week for completion and price. As soon as I get an e-mail from David I will let you know.

[jdoran]

Re: wing fillers

I have a better question:

What exactly do those fillers do?

They seem to me to be cosmetic fillers rather than aerodynamic. They sure don't offer any strength.

I'd like to hear thoughts from you all on why these things exist.

[M Towsley]

Re: wing fillers

My understanding is it makes the area more aerodynamic, more efficient. One reason the L-2 is a little slower is the redesigned rear window area with the cutouts causes aerodynamic drag. Plus, the bands that fill-in the area between the wing and fuselage on the BC-12 need something to screw onto. That would be my thoughts, I am sure there are more learned folks on there who can chime in.

[Ray]

Re: wing fillers

Thank you so much

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: wing fillers

The fillers support the wing band around the roots and keep them from distorting under air loads. You aren't actually supposed to screw the bands to the fillers. The fillers are only held to the fairings on the longerons by three little nails into the wood fairing. The filler floats between the wing root and fuselage side inside the band. The band wasn't originally screwed or nailed on either. There was a tensioning screw that pulled the one piece band tight through a hole in the trailing edge. If your bands fit smoothly, you have a rare one. Most have been cut into pieces and attached to the wood over the longerons and the root ribs with screws. If an inspector knew what he was looking at, he could give you a really hard time about those holes being added to the root rib. They don't belong there. There is also a chance of going through the wood over the longeron and making a hole in it. ALSO NOT GOOD!
That is one thing I still need to do on the 41. I wonder how much aluminum I will butcher trying to get those one piece bands right.
Hank

[Ray36048]

Re: wing fillers

Are you saying you need a pattern for 41 bands? My bands are in good shape. I could stretch them out on the flooor and send you a tracing.

How did you make out with the weather.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: wing fillers

If you have tracings of your 41 bands that would make a great start. My bands had been cut apart and riveted back together several times and really don't fit (especially with the original flat panel glass I put back in!). I have the original bands from the 45 but they didn't fit the 45 very well and don't fit the 41 at all. Maybe the ones you have will be closer to what I need and a combination could produce a good fit.
I will drop you a message off group.
Thanks
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: wing fillers

Ray,

David just got back with me regarding the wing fillers. With material and time to fabricate it will be $75.00 per panel. He will be sending the sheet metal out to cut next week and will be available soon.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: wing fillers

If he needs them, I have just made a tracing of all the parts to make a wing filler. Someone in the Tribe wanted them and by the time I got them traced I forgot who needed them. They better come up with a cure for Alzheimer's soon or I am going to be sunk. ;-)
Whoever needed the tracings I now have the trim mechanism, the lower front metal bands for the windshield (blown/curved windshield), the parts for the 4 piece flat pre-war windshield and the clip for the fuel cut off. Some of them are small enough I should be able to scan them and post them with a scale so you can take them to a copy shop and enlarge/reduce them to size. The wing filler and windshield stuff is pretty big and I will need to find out what copy cost and mailing will be for any new guys who want them.
Hank

[flybikefarm]

Re: wing fillers

I am interested in the fuel cutoff clip drawing if you can post it. George

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: wing fillers

I think the trim pieces and the fuel cut off clip will be easiest to copy and post. Be forewarned, the clip is a BUGGER to make without getting cut up! DRILL THE HOLE IN THE METAL FIRST!!! Then shape the clip. If you try to drill the clip after shaping it will spin on the drill bit on your drill press like a little razor blade propeller! I had it clamped in a fixture and it came right out. Glad the fixture was held down with clamps and my hands were NO WHERE CLOSE. It was MUCH easier to drill a larger piece of metal THEN shape the clip.
I will scan both of those drawings tomorrow and should be able to post them soon after.
Hank

[flybikefarm]

Re: wing fillers

Thanks for the warning. I use an old index mill for a drill press, has all kinds of good clamping surfaces and fixtures. George

[Ray]

Re: wing fillers

Great let me know