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Building technique: Utilizing a Wing-Jig, Scale P-51 "Speed Wing"
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02-28-2015, 11:47 PM
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Iron Dog
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Sacramento, CA
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General Wing Assembly
:
6. W
hen satisfied with the accuracy of the rib orientations, and the alignment of the shear webs’ centering on the spars and the ribs, you are ready to begin applying thin CA to properly glue each joint. Please read the notes below, and steps 7 and 8, before doing so.
Additional Notes
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If using CF rods that will be glued permanently, don’t forget to CA the ribs to the rod, as well, to increase the rigidity of the entire structure. If using removable drill rod, be very careful not to allow CA to accidentally wick into the hole. Otherwise, the rod will be very difficult to remove, and may potentially cause some damage upon removal. Having a couple squares of toilet paper or a paper towel handy to immediately absorb unwanted CA is recommended, prior to gluing.
Similarly, stray drips of CA on a CF rod in-between the ribs are essentially a non-issue if gluing them in. But, as stated earlier, would effectively enlarge the mass (diameter) of the rod that must pass through the hole when the rod is later removed – potentially damaging any ribs this extra mass must pass through.
The speed and accuracy of quickly laying out all the ribs and shear webs and so rapidly gluing them down is one of the great advantages of this building method. But, one can get a little carried away in the heat of the moment. Do NOT accidentally glue rib W1 at this stage.
7. If using CF rod(s), glue the front CF rod to the ribs at this time. Skip this step for any drill rod(s).
8. Back the shear web that is against the spruce spars slightly away from them, so that wicking CA will not accidentally glue them before more accurately centering them from top to bottom. Doing so with an earlier shear web may prevent the spar from properly being seated at the next rib.
9. Due to the double-tapered nature of the P-51 wing planform
and
the “fatter” airfoil used by the stock wing, ribs W1 and W2 are significantly “fatter” than those used throughout the rest of the wing. This causes a necessary curvature in the spar as it approaches the root ribs. Therefore, carefully pinch the top and bottom spars together at rib R3 to fully seat them, and hold while gluing. (Pinch them just outside of the rib to avoid accidentally gluing your fingers.) Often, excess CA will run down and pool at the bottom of the rib/spar joint. Have something handy to absorb/wipe away this CA immediately – otherwise, it will have to be sanded off later, resulting in additional work, and/or could result in changing the shape of the airfoil.
Excess CA pooled at bottom of airfoil absorbed by paper towel
10. Do the same at ribs W4 and W5. In fact, be prepared to hold the spars for a longer amount of time and/or use a little extra glue, as the plywood ribs are more stubborn in their absorption of the CA and seem to take longer for proper curing.
11. Continue in this manner, working out towards the tip.
12. Carefully remove the extra rear shear web spacers and glue each rib to the rear CF rod.
(Assuming this rod is used, and will be left as part of the wing structure.)
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