I'm intalling a bigger wheel, the problem is that i have a rip on each side of the wheel well. is it ok if i just cut the ribs, i really want to in stall this wheel. do you have any idea how to make this fit

thanks D.T.

Hi Dave,

The image you posted is too dark to make out the detail. However if you make a well of balsa for the wheel to retract into this will both restore the integrity of the cut rib and stop nasty exhaust residue, gravel, grass clippings etc from entering the wing structure.

Cheers,

Colin

thanks, now just to convince myself of putting a large hole in my plane.

Dave,
The advice about lining the hole is good and for another reason.

The picture shows that the "rib" just inside the wing and inside the hole is wide open. It is worthwhile to close off the inside of the wing so big openings like that don't allow trash into the rest of the wing.

There is another benefit and it'll help you when widening the existing hole. If you line the existing opening along the strut slot, and along the existing wheel opening that you aren't going to need to enlarge, it'll stiffen the wing for the rest of the work needed to open the wheelwell.

Also, after you line all the holes, the wing's skin is going to be LOTS stronger around the edges of the holes. The picture shows that the skin edges have already broken down some. That won't happen after the skin is supported by the lining.

The lining also strengthens the entire wing against the flight stresses. A lot of the wing's strength comes from an intact skin. When you cut a big hole in that, it weakens the wing's ability to stand flight loads. And if the wheelwell is front-to-back as would be for a P40, Corsair, F6F, the cutout REALLY weakens that wing. With those type cutouts, it's really a good idea that once the strut cutout has been lined, that you place a filler piece in the slot. The filler should be just deep enough in that the strut is unhindered, but as close to the surface as possible. That gives back a bunch of lost strength.

The good thing about all this lining??? It's easily done with 1/16" balsa and that thickness is light, strong in those short lengths, and simple and quick to do.

That's a pic of the retract liner from a Nitro Planes Corsair 50 size ARF. If you could buy the correct size set of these liners for the plane you are doing it might make the installation a little easier to do & would give you a nice clean look when you are done. I would still do the inside lining that Darock & the others are talking about with the sheeting & use these to cap it all off. If they are available, your LHS may be able to run them down for you. Might be worth checking out anyway. Good luck!

If he cuts the ribs he will probably need to repair/supplement the structure in some manner. Difficult to say exactly what with what we know so far. [sm=confused.gif]