WING CONSTRUCTION
Starting with the right wing panel


The wing of the Tower Trainer 40 is designed with simplicity and ease of building in mind for the first-time builder. The build of the wing is so simple it basically holds itself together to make gluing easier and quick. Here are the steps to building the right wing panel:

1) First pin the 3/8”x3/8” bottom balsa spar over its location on the plan.
2) Slide ten 3/32” balsa R-3 wing ribs into place on the bottom spar.
3) Place the shaped leading edge against the front of the ribs and pin in place.
4) Place the shaped balsa trailing edge against the rear of the ribs and pin in place.
5) Lay two pieces of 1/16” sheet scraps for shims under wing rib R-2 to position it properly to allow for the sheeting later. Place R-2 into position.
6) Carefully insert the 3/8”x3/8” balsa top spar into the notches in the ribs.
7) Make sure all the R-3 ribs and the leading and trailing edges are resting flat on the building board. The guide tool is used to check that the ribs remain vertical.
8) Apply thin CA carefully to all the joints involving the ribs, spars, leading and trailing edge (PHOTOS 1 – 5). Be very careful that all the pieces remain perfectly aligned during the gluing process, and always be wary of the straightness of the wing at all times. Be extra careful also when gluing the spars to R-2, making sure to keep the spars centered between the dihedral brace notches of R-2.
9) This step is NOT mentioned in the manual but I find it very necessary to reinforce ALL joints in ALL areas of contact with wood glue, being sure to leave fillets at all joints (PHOTOS 6 – 8).