WH Giles Wingtube
09-06-2005, 10:00 AM
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WH Giles Wingtube
Tom,
I have a Giles with about 15 flights on it. It seems that either the wing tube is shrinking or the phenolic is getting bigger beccause the tube is no longer snug in the phenolic and it is shifting during flight. I marked the tube to be sure it is centered when I install the wing. After flying I carefully slide one wing off enough to inspect the tube while being sure not to pull on the tube. The tube is clearly shifting to one side or another as much as 1/4 or more of its length after only a few flights. I'm assuming that the aluminum is wearing down because I'm getting a lot of black residue on my hands every time I handle it. Any suggestions?
Your help is most appreciated.
I have a Giles with about 15 flights on it. It seems that either the wing tube is shrinking or the phenolic is getting bigger beccause the tube is no longer snug in the phenolic and it is shifting during flight. I marked the tube to be sure it is centered when I install the wing. After flying I carefully slide one wing off enough to inspect the tube while being sure not to pull on the tube. The tube is clearly shifting to one side or another as much as 1/4 or more of its length after only a few flights. I'm assuming that the aluminum is wearing down because I'm getting a lot of black residue on my hands every time I handle it. Any suggestions?
Your help is most appreciated.
09-06-2005, 10:21 AM
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RE: WH Giles Wingtube
A hose clamp around the tube in the fuse will hold it in place. So will a small sheet metal screw through the wing bottom into the end of the aluminum tube. Never drill into the wing tube near the middle, but you can drill maybe 1" from either end without affecting strength.
Another idea that came from a customer, make a small block of wood, maybe 3/4" square with one face rounded (concave) so that it fits snugly against a motorbox side and on the wing tube sleeve in the fuse.
Glue it in place against the sleeve. When the glue is dry, drill a 3/16" hole through the block into the paper sleeve (but not into the aluminum tube.). Thread this hole for 1/4-20 threads.
Now when you put the wing tube into the plane you can screw a 1/4-20 nylon screw into the block and tighten against the wing tube to hold it in place.
TF
Another idea that came from a customer, make a small block of wood, maybe 3/4" square with one face rounded (concave) so that it fits snugly against a motorbox side and on the wing tube sleeve in the fuse.
Glue it in place against the sleeve. When the glue is dry, drill a 3/16" hole through the block into the paper sleeve (but not into the aluminum tube.). Thread this hole for 1/4-20 threads.
Now when you put the wing tube into the plane you can screw a 1/4-20 nylon screw into the block and tighten against the wing tube to hold it in place.
TF
