Wing fit problem

[Champ Dreamer]

Okay, when I covered my wings, I made a "spreader" that connected to the wing attach fittings on the spars. I fabricate the spreader from 1 x 1 14 ga. steel and matched it exactly to the spar attach points on the fuselage. When I finished each wing, I was able to remove the spreader without resistance. Today, we attempted to install a wing and it is 1/8" too small to fit the fuselage . I tried putting the spreader back on that wing and it won't fit either! (doesn't fit the other wing either). Almost as if the wings shrank in the past year. Other than removing the fabric and re-trammelling the wings, does anyone have any suggestions?

Any help would be appreciated

Brian Walker
'46 7AC DC

[Paul Agaliotis]

Brian,
It sounds like the fabric is a little tight. The Butt rib is the only thing that hold the dimension at the wing root and it has a couple of braces for added support. Pull it to location and put the bolts in, make sure there is no damage to the wing structure. Once in place the attach will hold the spacing.
This is pretty common on the wood wing planes. Most of the Butt ribs have been curved by the shrinking of the fabric.
Paul

[Champ Dreamer]

Thanks so much, Paul. Any suggestions as to how I can pull it into position? I 've thought about loostening the bolts at the butt rib?

Thanks again,
Brian Walker

[Champ Dreamer]

I feel better now. I loostened the bolts at the rear spar attachment bracket where it connects to the butt rib but still couldn't get the spars any further apart. So, I got a couple of pieces of allthread and one of those long nuts. Placed that rig between the inside of each spar fitting, turned the nut a couple of times and moved each spar a 1/16th of an inch further awy from each other. My speader bar now slips easily in place. Will hang that wing soon, then remove the allthread contraption and re-tighten the bolts. Whew!! I will drink Beer and watch the debate tonight (and sleep better too).

BRian Walker
7 AC now DC

[Champ Dreamer]

We hung the wings today, zero problems. The darn thing's starting to look like an airplane! I can't wait.

Brian Walker
7AC now DC

[Paul Agaliotis]

Great job, Brian.
Don't get in a hurry now, because everything that gets installed at this point shows.
Paul