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Building Tips and technical articles. => Building techniques => Topic started by: Curare on February 27, 2013, 12:42:02 AM

Title: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: Curare on February 27, 2013, 12:42:02 AM

Hey guys, just throught I'd sling this one in front of you, (sorry for all the questions, one day I'll have enough knowledge to stop asking!)

If we were to be building a very quick build (scratch built) airframe, what would be the quickest way to knock out a good, effective wing?
Strip rib & beam?
D-box
Full rib & spar?
Egg crate?
Foam?
Other?

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: Steve Helmick on February 27, 2013, 01:36:19 AM

Two questions I'd have to ask would be 1) Do you know how to do each of those, or would there be a considerable learning curve for some & not for others? B) Would these be built from plans or would you be designing your own? I believe the answers would have a considerable impact on the time requirement and success/failure ratio.  H^^ Steve

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: ash on February 27, 2013, 03:54:56 AM

You also need to consider whether procurement of materials is a factor and whether the total time includes glue or dope drying periods.

Sheeted foam could be quickest if the above are not a factor.

If it's a non-stop race from plan to covering, possibly Millennium construction.

Laser cut kit (of any kind) + CA could win under other terms.

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: john e. holliday on February 27, 2013, 09:49:52 AM

I would say that if you are starting with a set of plans, it would be about equal time for each wing construction.   You have to make the templates or cutting jigs.   I have done sparless wings,  D-Tube and I-Beam plus lots of stuff in between.   The difference between the I-Beam and the others is that the fuselage must be mostly done before ever starting on the wing construction.  Another thing is I have some wings that were built in my lap without a jig or bench.   

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: Curare on February 27, 2013, 03:26:58 PM

Doc, I suspect you're right, most of my wings these days are done over glass. I prefer D box for it's torsional rigidity, and if the wing is constant chord, knocking out a set of ribs takes an hour, tops.

I'd like to give the split rib style a go, but I'm a massive spaz, and I fear I'll probably break every rib before I can get it covered!

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: john e. holliday on February 28, 2013, 09:23:32 AM

Well, read and reread the posts of strip rib or I-Beam construction.   1/8 firm balsa for the ribs.   Once the cutting jig is set up and adjusted you can cut ribs all day and all night.   I lost count of how many ribs were in the Sheeks Staggerwing.  Then there are the ribs that are doubled up in some areas, like next to the fuse for coverings to attach to.

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: Howard Rush on March 01, 2013, 12:23:24 AM

Have Bob Hunt make it.

Title: Re: Quickest way to build a wing.
Post by: MarcusCordeiro on March 01, 2013, 04:32:10 AM

I second that... D>K

Marcus