Wings...rib channels, rib ends, leading edge wrap

07/04 - 07/05/03 - Friday evening and today I was able to spend some extended time in the shop and have gotten to the point of installing the leading edge wrap on the left side wing structure.

I was a little ahead from working on the right side earlier in that I had already set the templates and pre-drilled the channels for the left side and all that was required to use them was final trimming.  This was accomplished Friday evening (I worked from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM while everyone else was apparently celebrating Independence Day -there were LOTS of loud noises happening during the evening up until VERY LATE to keep the dogs and Kipper nervous!).

Here are a couple of shots from Friday evening working with the Channels:

Hey!  Here's the BUILDER again, working on the bottom-side of the channels:

and completed...

Working Friday evening was pretty hot, but today was like working in a bakery!  I'm VERY GLAD I don't have to work outside like some folks do.

After finishing riveting the ribs ends to the clips and the assembly to the spars:

Beginning with the leading edge wrap:

Clecoed in place:

Riveted and taped to profile:

I still have some work to finish this wing, but I jumped over to do the right side next.  It's doubtful I'm going to work again tomorrow as I'm having a very painful bout with tendonitis in my left elbow (from the past few trips out to the shop, most likely) so I'm probably going to rest it and wait until the following weekend or at least later in the coming week.  I also need to get out and pick up a few bar clamps and some strapping tape before I proceed with the next step on the wrap in any case.

More updates soon...

Last Update: 07/05/2003