Fit Wings Now, Then Remove?

Karetaker · #1 03-13-2020, 10:14 AM

Howdy everyone. Planning ahead, I see the instructions have me fit/drill the wings to the fuselage. I am curious if I may fit the wings then remove them again to save space, or should I build as much as I can first, then fit the wings and leave them on?

Thanks.

RV7 To Go · #2 03-13-2020, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karetaker

Howdy everyone. Planning ahead, I see the instructions have me fit/drill the wings to the fuselage. I am curious if I may fit the wings then remove them again to save space, or should I build as much as I can first, then fit the wings and leave them on?

Thanks.

You can fit and remove. I didn't have room in my garage to install the wings when they said to do it in the manual. Did everything I could and installed the wings for the first time when I brought everything to the hangar. Still had to remove them to finish things at the wing root prior to final install. Removing them after installation is not too much of a problem. I used 2 standard AN bolts on each wing with a tapered end and the head cut off to form a pin. Save the close tolerance bolts until final install. Use light oil on the spar ends and the pins to help them slide in.

PilotjohnS · #3 03-13-2020, 04:23 PM

I have taken the advice of others and will fit the wings at the airport. I cant see trying to mickey mouse it in my garage.

DaveO · #4 03-13-2020, 05:03 PM

I talked to Van's they said to me, it does not matter. I did not until it was time to fit permanently Glad I did it that way. But each to their own.

aitor11 · #5 03-13-2020, 05:11 PM

I've been thinking about this too. If I understand correctly I can wait and do all the test fitting, drilling the rear spar and installing nut-plates later when I move the plane to the airport for final assembly?

Aitor

amaris · #6 03-13-2020, 11:12 PM

My tech counselor said it doesn't matter if room is tight (like mine). There's no reason to do it now.
I'm fitting the tail now only because I'm taking a break from the canopy. Once done I'll store it until later.

KayS · #7 03-15-2020, 05:25 PM

I fitted my wings just recently when the entire fuse was basically 100% done. No problem at all.

Larco · #8 03-15-2020, 10:13 PM

You will have to remove the wings to install nut plates after the test fit and drilling the lower fuselage skin and the top wing gap fairing so fit the wing now, remove, install stuff and final assemble at hanger?? BTW setting up the flaps and ailerons now will save lots of work at the hanger during final assembly. :-)

leok · #9 03-16-2020, 05:58 AM

I did one wing at a time in my shop. I only had enough room for one. After fitting one wing, I removed it and rotated the fuselage to fit the second wing. I used hardware bolts cleaned and oiled with the threads ground to a blunt point to help alignment. Made it easy, plus I was able to use the same bolts during final assembly as alignment pins.

It was a 10 and not a 7, but I am guessing they are close to the same with all of the chores needed. I found it much easier to do in the comfort of my home shop (with tools and heat) than it would have been at the new unheated hanger in January. My goal was to get as close to an 'assembly project' at the airport rather than fabrication. It worked extremely well with a fairly quick final assembly at the airport.

Karetaker · #10 03-16-2020, 05:58 AM

Thanks guys. Still have a lot to do prior to getting to the wings so I have time to plan.