HI Paul,

It's been a few years since I built my SSE, and I remember a bit of a gap between the fuse and the wing root. The gap was about 1/32" - 1/16" as I recall. It didn't seem to affect flight or the structural integrity. Tha gap seemed larger to me than it probably actually was. It was probably my imagination.

I have wondered since then if I could have put some waxed paper over the fuse/wing area then buttered up the wing root outline with something, then mount the wing. The squeeze-out could be trimmed flush with the wing sheeting. Whatever is used for 'butter' would have to be sandable and relatively strong.

Maybe an idea like this would be some food for thought.

As for the crash, well I considered the plane totalled - it would take too much work to get it to fly again. The engine has been torn down completely and rebuilt. No apparent damage. The bearings seem clean, and the crank seems straight, so no damage done. The frustrating part was that I had just found that 'sweet spot' on the low end. Tick-over idle and great response. Rob L would hate me!!

Bob

Bob