Van's Air Force
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Wind tips warped
- Thread starter pilot7
- Start date
Kyle Boatright
Well Known Member
Is the flange warped, or is the trailing edge out of alignment (a common problem) or is the problem something else?
A picture would be helpful.
In the end, you can probably make the tip fit nicely if it is only slightly warped.
A picture would be helpful.
In the end, you can probably make the tip fit nicely if it is only slightly warped.
robertahegy
Moderator/Tech Counselor
You could try reshaping it with a heat gun. I have gotten some errant bends out of fiberglass parts by heating up the area and gently reshaping. Be careful not to burn the fiberglass or your hands.
As Kyle mentioned, the trailing edge could also be out of alignment. This can be checked using the airfoil template provided in the plans. Cut out a cardboard airfoil using the plan sheet. Check the airfoil when the tip is attached to the wing with clecoes and prior to attaching the sub rib to the tip. If adjustment is necessary, the trailing edge can be slit, moved up or down, clamped and reglued, and then the rib installed. This is best done when fitting the wing to the fuselage, when you line up the flaps and ailerons. Then the tips can be adjusted to match the control surfaces.
Roberta
As Kyle mentioned, the trailing edge could also be out of alignment. This can be checked using the airfoil template provided in the plans. Cut out a cardboard airfoil using the plan sheet. Check the airfoil when the tip is attached to the wing with clecoes and prior to attaching the sub rib to the tip. If adjustment is necessary, the trailing edge can be slit, moved up or down, clamped and reglued, and then the rib installed. This is best done when fitting the wing to the fuselage, when you line up the flaps and ailerons. Then the tips can be adjusted to match the control surfaces.
Roberta
Wing tips warped and how to store?
Thanks Roberta,
I will give that a try. I think what I will do is clamp a 1x4 board to it and with the clamps get it to the right shape then apply heat. Once cooled it should be ok.
Doug, I have heard the way to store would be to hang up by the trailing edge. Put a 16penny nail in the wall then shave the head off and let it hang. At least that is what I think I learned a couple of years ago.. Maybe others have better ways but for long time storage i think thats the best way but could be wrong..
Doug B
Thanks Roberta,
I will give that a try. I think what I will do is clamp a 1x4 board to it and with the clamps get it to the right shape then apply heat. Once cooled it should be ok.
Doug, I have heard the way to store would be to hang up by the trailing edge. Put a 16penny nail in the wall then shave the head off and let it hang. At least that is what I think I learned a couple of years ago.. Maybe others have better ways but for long time storage i think thats the best way but could be wrong..
Doug B
Norman CYYJ
Well Known Member
Cut yourself a rib out of strofoam and insert that into the wing tip. This will hold the required shape then try fitting it to the wing.
mannanj
Well Known Member
wing tip
Hanging the tips by the trailing edge for storage is a good idea. Norm has the right idea when you go to install the tips. Take styrofoam or the blue insulation foam from your builders supply, press it hard against the wing skin at the outboard end. Cut the foam out along the lines impressed into it by the wing airfoil shape, then insert the foam into the fiberglass tip. This will hold the shape while you match drill the holes for the tip attatchment.
Smaller ribs like this or false ribs, or even spar extensions of foam into the tip can help hold the shape as some have reported tip distortion in flight.
Mannan Thomason
RV-8 N161RL No. One Girl
Hanging the tips by the trailing edge for storage is a good idea. Norm has the right idea when you go to install the tips. Take styrofoam or the blue insulation foam from your builders supply, press it hard against the wing skin at the outboard end. Cut the foam out along the lines impressed into it by the wing airfoil shape, then insert the foam into the fiberglass tip. This will hold the shape while you match drill the holes for the tip attatchment.
Smaller ribs like this or false ribs, or even spar extensions of foam into the tip can help hold the shape as some have reported tip distortion in flight.
Mannan Thomason
RV-8 N161RL No. One Girl
