For an LT-40, I've got just under 1/8" gap between wing TE and aileron LE- is this OK? Aileron was flush with TE before using CA on hinges- I deflected ailerons full before using the CA, but for some reason the gap seems excessive. Thoughts appreciated-

Brett

Brett,

1/8" is pushing the envelope for gaps. I've seen trainers fly with gaps this large, but they would be more responsive with less gap. Recommend you seal the gap from the bottom with clear packing tape, or covering.

There is NO acceptable gap in any hinge line,seal the gap with something.

Zero gap is acceptable.
If you have a gap, seal it from beneath the aircraft.

I agree with Geistware. I recommend sealing the gaps on *both* sides with strips of clear monokote. Standard clear ultracote is a little too stiff for this application, and lite clear ultrakote is a little too btirrle.

Thanks for the info- I'll figure this whole thing out sooner or later...
-Brett

And don't worry about HAVING a gap. The hinges NEED some room to flex. Just seal it as mentioned with tape or covering and you'll be fine.

how about the huge gap in my STUKA ailerons and flaps? Thought id throw that one out there fellas. lol
d

Morning bignasdy,that plane was on the losing side wasn't it?

isnt that a pity?! I think it was on the winning side of aviation!
d

One of my favorite old plastic kits was my Stuka-I was probably about 12 years old- I can't remember what scale it was, but at the time it was probably one of the bigger models I'd built- from a Revelle kit, if I remember correctly. How does the RC version fly? Can you build it scale? Anyways, I've covered the gaps- and thanks to you, MinnFlyer, for your most helpful diagrams- but it still seems that I've got a bit of a gap. By this I mean that while there is no "airspace" between the wing TE and the aileron LE, there's still the same spacing between the TE and LE. Sorry here for the newbie questions, but I'm assuming that the problem of a TE-LE gap (or any control surface gap) has to do with the "airspace" between the two surfaces and not the actual dimensions between the two.
Thanks,
Brett

Morning dinger2,you're correct,especially with ca hinges, there needs to be room for the hinges to flex without binding and trying to pull out of the wood,just seal the gap to keep a even air flow.