ORIGINAL: Bax
If you fly with the gap, don't be at all concerned about ''air pressure'' getting inside the fuselage and causing problems with the wing bolts. That's just a non-starter. You won't get such a thing happening at all...whoever told you that didn't really know much about how things work. The only thing you need to worry about making sure the holes in the wing are properly-aligned with the holes in the hold-down plate. For best fit, you want zero gap between the wing and the hold-down plate. A gap there will allow the bolts to flex side-to-side, and could cause them to fatigue and weaken. When you have zero gap, the bolts will shear neatly if the wing is struck and tries to pivot...unless the bolts are much too big.
Bill,
I think the point you're making is the same one I was trying to make - perhaps not explained well on my part (at least the second sentence in the second paragraph). As you state, a poorly mated wing will cause the mounts and bolts to fatigue (~my third sentence). I said "air pressure" while you say "a gap there will allow the bolts to flex side-to-side". The underlying idea is the same. If a gap exists at the mount points, in a snap (for example), air pressure would be responsible, at least in part, in causing the joint to flex unduly.
Perhaps you interpreted my comment as
air pressure affecting the bolts directly, which is clearly not the case. As someone with two degrees in physics - I have some basic understanding of mechanics and fluid dynamics. In any event, I'm sure Tim will do a great job on improving the situation on his SK.
David.