Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Craig R. Lawler"
Glad to see some traffic from my favorite news list. Sorry to say myproject is waiting for me while I work away in cyberspace.I did buy an underway antique project a few months back, if anyonerecalls my question about the Piet with a Franklin hanging on it. Anywaythere was excellent work done on the Fuselage but it appears to be theshort length fuselage that someone decided to make 2 inches shorter fromthe back of the rear pit to the firewall. I plan to remove the coveringas it was the old heavy Stits fabric with an automotive enamel finishthat was applied about 10-12 years ago and is now cracking. I want touse the newer lighter process - this way I can get a good look at theunderlying structure at the back etc.Also the wings consist of ribs on spars (solid with no routing per plan)there is no TE or LE. The problem I see is there are ply gussets fromthe main spar to LE on almost all the ribs (both side in some cases).This adds weight and may also be hiding other problems with the way theribs were built. I was thinking I may want to remove the ribs, clean upthe spars and route them according to plan etc. then build a new set ofribs. Any thoughts along these lines?This group has always inspired me to move along as does the Grant's BPAnewsletter. This has been a long winter and I guess I need another shotof encouragement again.Larry* E-Mail glhuber(at)mail.wiscnet.net Procurement Services Div. *-- * E-Mail glhuber(at)mail.wiscnet.net Procurement Services Div. *________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Craig R. Lawler"
Gerard "Larry" Huber wrote: Also the wings consist of ribs on spars (solid with no routing per plan) there is no TE or LE. The problem I see is there are ply gussets from the main spar to LE on almost all the ribs (both side in some cases). This adds weight and may also be hiding other problems with the way the ribs were built. I was thinking I may want to remove the ribs, clean up the spars and route them according to plan etc. then build a new set of ribs. Any thoughts along these lines? I don't understand what you mean by no leading edge. It would be anaweful problem if you didn't have a le on a wing. Do you mean there isno sheeting? Do you have a 1" spar or a 3/4" spar? As far as tearingapart the wing, it sounds like a great deal of work. I know that itwould be less work in my case to build a whole new wing if I were goingto build new ribs anyway. With the plywood doublers already in placefor fittings and such I don't see how you would be able to slide theribs off the wing. I saved about 16 lbs by routing the spars. Mine are1" Douglas fir. With regard to the forward gussetts on the ribs-- Does the gussettcover the whole rib structure from the front spar forward? Even withthe slopiest of building this should be stronger than a properlygussetted structure unless some parts were missing on the inside.Heavier - for sure. A little more detail on what you have would helphere. If the airplane has been flying for a while it may not be worththe effort to rebuild. Getting the heavy fabric replaced could be yourbest route for weight savings. It also lets you get a real close lookat the structures workmanship.Good Luck,stevee________________________________________________________________________________