Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

I`ve got about 3 EZ Pilot Cessna 152s that are "Built" But have been so bashed and thrashed over the years that they need a bit of repair,just to get them airworthy.(Non had ever flown),I built them just to have the experience,but am just now getting back into the hobby,and hope to fly soon.I have a Sig seniorita Built and about ready to go.

What I need to do with these Cessnas is rebuild the wings as They had been through years of neglect in a damp house with some mold.

Should I Dremel each Rib at the Spar and Make a Copy of them that way?I forget if the ribs were all the same size or different.
I have no surviving plans as they got destroyed in the Mold ridden house.

The fuselages and Tails are in OK Shape as they were covered,just need to glue them back straight.

Am I on the right track at doing this?

Thanks
Phil / Rt4957

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

Pictures please :D

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

I think I'd take precise measurements of outline dimensions, rib placements, and structural piece sizes, then "slice off" of each rib on my bandsaw for the rib outlines, making each slice maybe 3/16 wide or so. Leave all the sheeting and spars glued in place during the slicing operation. Once in possession of the gross outlines of a particular rib, the adjustments for sheet LE/TE/capstrips/etc can be penciled in later befor making the template(s) you'll be cutting from.

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

I scaned for you the ribs. I hope this will make the job easier.

Good luck.

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

Unless the wood is rotten you might be able to hit it with some bleach to kill the mold and cover it. There's nothing wrong with some discoloration if the strength is still there.

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

Wow,,thanks for the ribs scan,,Will definately help!!

The planes need a wee (Understatement)bit of work but should be able to be back together with a little work.All need the tails repaired and covering touched up.
One is done up in the Orange/Blue "Discover Flying" Scheme that Cessna had to promote flight training,another is in the "Take Off" White with Red and Blue Colors,and the other is a "standard" 1978 152 scheme ,White with Yellow.

I`m a bit ashamed of how beat up they got,took some pictures,but embarrased to post them until I fix the tails:(,I have 2 covered wings,but I think they both have a twist to them,plus I really want to try to make 2 sets of new "Good" wings,perhaps with lights.The uncovered wing has a bit of what could be mold residue,,I was going to use it as the "Donor" for the Reverse Engineering.

Shame these kits aren`t still around,,I`d buy at least 3 more as I like the Cessna 150-152,,Would like to do an Aerobat scheme,and maybe a 1978 White and Blck like the first one I ever flew in during Flight training.

Sincere Thanks to the Replys and the Scan of the Ribs,,they definately will be put to use!!

Phil

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

An update for anyone interested,,I took all 3 of the Fuselages and Tail Sections and Repaired Them Yesterday with Good Success,,I need to Recover some areas that were torn forom either the repairs or hole pokes from being bashed around so much.

I`m amazed at myself that I was able to find all the parts for all 3 planes after years of neglect,,Wheel Pants, Cowls, Windows etc.
I need to redo two sets of Pant Mounts as My early 80s attempts at soldering were not good so I`m going to use Sig pant Mounts but I ran out of the sets I had in the stash on One Plane,,the Discover Flying and the Take off Cessna need pants.

I`m going to get the wood for the New Wings to build Thanks Heavily to the Sent Scans of the ribs,,And these will be built in a Great Planes Wing Jig,,as 2 of my 3 wings seem twisted.

Hope to have pictures in a few days.

Rt4957

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

Here`s The Planes,Have to do seperate as I guess a few files are large

This is the "1978" 152

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

Next is the "Take Off" Scheme one

RE: Reverse Engineering a Kit?
 

Last one is My Favorite One as the Colors came out just as I`d hoped

The Discover Flying Cessna Scheme

Also shown is the Sig Kadet Seniorita that I`ve been working on

They all ned work,,but hope you like them so far
Rt4957