I have a Thunder Tiger Piper J-3 Cub ARF that has a 82.7” wingspan. The two piece wing is meant to be glued together to make a one piece. But if I do this, it will be too long to fit into my small SUV. So I would like to keep it a two piece wing for transportation purposes. But not sure what’s the best way of modifying it and how to securely attach to two pieces together. I was thinking about using a aluminum or carbon tube but the wing does have a little dihedral built into it so I think a straight tube would be a problem, I have no problem removing the covering and modifying the wing to make it work, I just don’t know what the best method is. Thanks for any help!!! Mark

You could always use a straight joiner rod and tube as long as you drill holes through the ribs in a straight line, i.e. not matching the dihedral. A cub shouldn't have much dihedral so that shouldn't really be a problem. The hardest part would be aligning the holes so that the wing goes together straight. Of course, as you have noted, this modification would require stripping the wing to perform the surgery. It's also not very easy to drill a single thickness of balsa without splintering it. Honestly, I would probably consider spending a few hundred dollars to build a trailer; especially if you will have other planes of similar size. Then you can store them in there and when you want to go fly, just hook up the trailer and go.

Brian

I had a sinmilar dilema some time back. I ended up getting a c/f tube with sleeve. I then got a piece of tube slightly larger than the sleeve approx 24 inches long and filed sawteeth on the end. I also got a block of 3x3 hardwood approx 6 inches long. I then set the wing up with the original dihedral brace and blocked it up on a straight bench and set it so it was sitting even and true and cut a pair of supports to sit under the last full rib of each wing half. while set up I checked where I wanted to rod to sit hieghtwise and there by figureing the hieght on the block to drill the hole for the pipe drill which I then drilled on my drillpress, making sure the hole was drilled straight and true. This I then clamped end on at the edge of my table, and using the suport I set the wing against the block and carefully drilled the holes for the tube through 6 ribs in total (depending on your rod length). I did the same for the other wing and did a dry fit . Youy will need to open up some bays in the covering next, 1 past the ribs with the holes. I then cut round disks out of 1/8 liteply with an inner hole that was a close fit but not too tight, just so you could slide them easily on the sleeve. you will need 2 disks pewr rib except for the joiner ribs and the outer ribs which will be a solid disk to stop the sleeve and tube sliding further in on the outer ribs. Then you cut the sleeve to fit to each wing. Now the fun part. remove the tube and sleeves, nmake sure everything is clean and dust free. Then take a sleeve and slide it in with 2 disks in each bay, and do the same for the other. I now wax the ends of the c/f tube and then slide it in to the sleeves and align the wing halves again. once thats done you glue in place all the disks and the end cap in each wing. Here I use 30 min epoxy and 2 spring clamps per rib on the disks.. after clamping all the disks, check the alignment of the wings and clean excess epoxy. I do not glue the wing joiner rib disks at this time, as any seepage will permanently join your wings. after glue has set you then seperate the wing halves and glue the joiner rib disks in, and all thats left is repairing or replacing the covering.

I have 2 ideas, 1 - get a bigger car or 2 - open a window or two!

You know, I thought about that...the window deal...lol In fact, it would just fit if I ran it up through the front seats and it just clears the dashboard. But if I do that, I wouldn't have room for any other planes or choppers. I'm thinking about shorting the wings a few inches to bring it more into scale anyhow so I figured if I was going to do that, I may as well modify the wings for two pieces. Thanks fireman7875 and qldviking for the suggestions!!!!!
PS. By the way, it is time for me to look for a new vehicle and I'm thinking about going with a small pickup but it won't fit into a bed of it either!!!!

I love my Town&Country mini van. Lots of room and the stow&go seating is absolutely great. I never thought I would want a mini van, but after looking at all vehicles on the market, this was the clear winner as far as mpg and general utility functions (can be a car or truck).

I am into my second Honda Odessy in 10 years. I love this van, back row folds in and disapears, middle row is two bucket seats that are now in my spare room as reading chairs. My airplanes are in the 80" to 100" WS and if I get creative I can fit 3... but I move away from the original question...

Given that you are willing to cut the wing open, get an aluminum tube with phenollic sleeve that is about half the thickness of the wing at the point where you want to install it. The length of the tube needs not exceed the length of the current wood joiner that you are going to replace. Place the wing on a flat table and prop it such that it is at the proper diehidral. Look at the wing from the front and place the tub in front of it (experimentation can be done with a wood dowel before you buy the aluminum tube).

Looking at the wing with the tube in front you will see where the holes in the ribs will have to be cut. Cut the holes bigger than the tube and cut one or two lite-ply disks for every rib that the tube will go through. These disks will have a hole in the center the same diameter as the wing tube and an outside diamater bigger than the holes that you cut in the ribs.

After removing the covering and cutting the holes in the ribs place the tube inside the wing with a disk on either side of the rib until you can prop the wing back to the original diehidral. Secure the wing as best you can to make sure that while you work on it you do not accidentally change the diehidral or separate the two wing parts. Glue each disk to the ribs with good glue (I like Titebond II) and wait for the glue to fully dry.

To hold the wings together open a small section of the bottom side of the wing to access a nylon screw that connects the two parts. The screw should be as close to the wing tube as possible while providing the best access to it. Also add a small short dowel on the back of the wing to maintain the alignment, this may not be necessary as I believe the Cb wing is attached with screws to the cabin top

Recover the wings and you have a two part wing, easy to put together and easy to carry in your small SUV.

How small is your small suv? I have a Honda CR-V that I have gotten 10' boards into. Just recline the front passenger seat and run the wing up onto the dashboard.

Of course, this doesn't allow you to bring a passenger.