WEDJ

Yea, so now the actual assembly takes place, a pretty quick process, actually. Here's a couple of views of the finished Right wing center section, note the inward cant of the center rib and the ply-faced outer rib, too.

WEDJ

The final step of the center section is the installation of the shear webbing of 1/32 balsa. Here's a couple of shots of the installation.

WEDJ

Yes, I'm back again. Had to sheet the center section, no small job, since the sheeting had to fit inbetween the ribs and stringers. 1/16 in the back, but 1/8 in the front because of the curvature of the airfoil. Here's a photo of the raw insertions.

WEDJ

And the very center of the wing will be the attachment point - here's the 1/32 ply rib with tabs that will hold the lateral 6-32 nylon screws......

WEDJ

And after sanding, the center section is nicely smoothed out. On the bottom, I will put card stock for the sheeting, it's purpose is to bind the spars to the center section. It will have some glass cloth and epoxy to hold left and right together,

Hueydriver

Very pretty! What airfoil is it (my A2 towline glider senses are coming to life)?

WEDJ

No airfoil was mentioned in the plans, remember this is from the 1930's.

WEDJ

OK, so now I have made the left center section. Of course, this is just a mirror image of the right, so it may not be so interesting to everyone. Here's a shot of how the temporary spacers keep the lower spars in their correct placement while the ribs get glued into place.

WEDJ

Next, I added the center section 1/32 ply rib that will hold the wing to the body with transverse 6-32 nylon screws.

WEDJ

Finally, a test fitting of joining the two halves together. I think it may still need a bit of tweaking, but it "looks right" - always a good sign.

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Very pretty looking in the bones, WEDJ. Keep the photos coming.

As for someone's question about airfoils, I've read comments about people even using the edge of their shoe soles as a reference line for some airfoils... I can believe that! Many airfoils used the TLAR method

Bob

WEDJ

Thanks for the compliment. At the reynolds numbers we fly at, almost any curved upper surface will generate enough lift to be interesting.

But I have been making progress. I put aside the left center section, because sheeting the middle is just a PITA job. So will be sanding the TE to a tapered section. Yech!

Much more interesting is to start making the wingtip sections. Here's a shot of the rough layout. I will add spars, like the center section, and also, I will be stopping some spars before the tip, they are just not needed.

WEDJ

Of course, the tip sections will plug into the center sections, but just the square aluminum joining tubes are insufficient to prevent the tip from twisitng around the tube. So I added a stub plug to help keep both wing sections at the same angle of incidence. Here's a photo:

WEDJ

And here we are, assembling the wingtip section, lower spars and ribs going together. After it is all done, I just HAD to put the two sections together and see what the final will look like:

WEDJ

I saw one of the spars a little crooked while assembling, but it didn't look too bad. Well, today when I looked at it, I just couldn't let it stay that way. So I cut the rib, moved the spar, and spliced in some repair scraps. Looks much better now. And, when I looked at the mating rib (#8) it, too, was cut wrong.

WEDJ

No, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, I've just been a little lazy about photographs and posting ....

Anyway, The two center sections are now permantly joined, and look just fine. Yes, the fitting of the sheeting was a PITA, if you know what I mean.

WEDJ

So it's been a few days, let me update everyone.

I actually have all four wing panels finished, now I have to (Ugh) sand them all down, and actually DO the tip joining that I have thaought about doing. Then I have to start the really difficult part, the body. Hatches, Access, wing hold-down, pushrods, etc etc.

But now that the wing center sections are joined and the top balsa sheeting is in place, let's look at the bottom of the wing, where I used card stock instead of balsa to firm up the sections. The photos are one side, and then both sides. The LE and TE will get sanded down.

aeronca52

Any more building activity or have you decided to wait till things cool off after the holidays?

WEDJ

I keep looking at it and walking away. I have to sand the TE, which I do outside, and it's COLD here in CT. I have the tip plug-in figured out w/ telescoping square aluminum tubing. I want to make sure the aluminum stays put to the shear web and spar, so I may stitch it in after epoxying.

Free Bird

As always Nic, you're doing a fine job! It'll be nice to see this one in the spring!

FB

WEDJ

Thanks, FB. I did use a mini-plane on the TE to start to cut it down. And, I noticed that the mini-Banshee is available now Hmmm........ Maybe a next project?

WEDJ

OK, a small rest from holidays, snowstorms and the like, and I am ready to continue............

Iwas a little nervous about actually building the tip plug-ins, even though I had the design fully thought out in my mind. Here's the first things, the parts, and then the center section base.

WEDJ

Now for the tip section. I used a #45 drill to go through everything, then tapped the tip plug-in for a 4-40 nylon screw. The tip plug was filled with spruce scrap so the tap would have a lot of meat to go through. Then I removed the tip and opened the holes with a 7/64 drill to clear the 4-40.

WEDJ

And, finally, here's the pieces ready to slip together, and then joined. Now I have to do the other side.

WEDJ

So now we tackle the body. Here's the pieces laid out. I'll have to cut the middle out of former#1, and then also figure out a canopy hatch to get at the battery connection. I think I will replace the wheel with a plywood skid as well.