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Wings...installing rib clips & ribs...running out of clecos! 05/27 - 05/28 - 05/29 - 05/31/03 - This past week, I spent just a bit of time in the evenings installing the rib clips in the left wing structure and today I was able to drill and cleco in place the topside ribs for the left wing. Hooray...it really starts to look like a wing now!!! Except, I've also run out of clecos. By the time I get to riveting anything together on the ribs, each wing will require 130 clecos and I only had maybe 125 to start with. Ok, I should have laid in a few more clecos! ;^) Not a big deal in any case. I placed an online order today for 150 copper clecos with Brown Aviation Tool Supply where I've been getting drill bits, assorted A/N hardware and things like clecos. Thanks, Mike for the information early on. Working today, I had a couple of nice visits from fellow Chapter 21 members (Jake Lamont and Jerry Euler) and I was able to get to where I could stop (before running out of clecos) without feeling I'd left something half-done and tomorrow Alyssa is visiting, so I'd probably not feel inclined to work anyway. I hope to have the clecos delivered by Tuesday or Wednesday and can get back to it. Following are a few photos from this week's work beginning with the FIRST RIB laid in place Thursday evening:
Clecoing-in the forward end of the left wing topside ribs:
With ribs clecoed to the leading edge spar, it becomes easier to see the taper built into the wings as the ribs are progressively longer over the trailing edge spar from root to tip:
Left wing topside root rib trimmed (thank the stars for DremelŽ tools!!!) and in place. Note, that I don't actually have a DremelŽ tool, I use a Sears CraftsmanŽ model of the same thing, except mine is BETTER! (just kidding all you DremelŽ lovers, both are EQUALLY great tools)
The next photo shows what we're shooting for with the aft end attached to the rib clip in a smooth transition in the profile moving from the rib to the spar. I double checked each before marking, punching and drilling:
Left wing topside with half ribs in place:
Finished! (and officially out of clecos at this point)
I'm actually at this point now, waiting to install the bottoms ribs:
I'm probably a good eight-plus hours from having the wings completed and everything ready for covering, but that's about how much time I lollygagged this month at fly-ins, driving out to look at hangars, working a bit on the weekends and taking my warbirds flight, so I'm still pretty much on the schedule I'd earlier given myself and hey, I'd have run out of clecos anyway! I have until June 19th before leaving for Rans Fly-in and still hope to be at the covering point by that time, although our local EAA Chapter has Young Eagles day activities on Saturday the 14th and I'm committed to be there to lend whatever assistance I can. More updates soon... |
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Last Update: 05/31/2003 |
