Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

Does anyone have a favorite way they would like to share getting a nice tight wing/fuselage joint? I usually use wing tape to hide the small gap and make a nice tight seal but would like to get something a bit more structural / finished looking on my King Kobra. What is your method? Body filler, epoxy with balloons etc...

Dan

RE: Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

I like the epoxy with micro balloons method. Spread some on the fuse, then put wax paper on the wing and bolt it on. Let cure then sand the sides even with the fuse. Sometimes takes a couple applications to get all the gaps filled - depending on how bad it is to start with.

RE: Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

I like simple wing seating tape. Quick and neat looking.
Once I used silicon but that did not come out smooth and it stunk, but it did do the job.

RE: Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

Balsa fuselages:
I put the wing on the fuselage with a strip of sandpaper and pull out the sandpaper until the fuselage fits the wing perfectly.
Glass fuselage:
Pot it with epoxy and cabosil/micro ballon mix over plastic release film.

Lite ply fuselage:
Who cares, not a quality airplane.

RE: Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

I tape 80 grit paper to wing overlapping fuse wing area by about 4" each side. Then slide the wing very carefully side to side until you get a good fit. Not all designs will work with this method, but it is the easiest if possible. Another way is to use carbon paper and move wing slightly to get a mark on high spots, then sand using the trial and error method, not a lot of fun.

RE: Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

So a balsa fuselage is more quality than a lite ply?
:eek:
Edit:
Sorry, that is not the argument, I will try to add to the post.
I try to sand the joint until it fits snug. Putting sheet sandpaper between the fuse and wing works well. However, if you have large areas that need filling, then the epoxy/baloon with wax paper is the way to go, then sand that down to match the fuse sides and you'll be set.
Also, there is nothing wrong with wing seat foam tape. I've used it quite a bit. One thingit is often better to go ahead and CA the foam tape to the saddle, as that adhesive it comes with is usually poor quality.
BTW, this same foam tape can be had at Lowes or similar home improvement place for pennies on the dollar compared to the LHS.
As always, be careful when you are sanding the wing saddle as you can run into incidence troubles.

RE: Wing/Fuselage Joint
 

Yes. Better strength to weight.