Upper Wings #7

It's been nice to get back on airframe work!  Got lots of capstrip formed and installed.  The top sides of both wings are done.  

To recap (no pun intended) the process...

The curvature of the ribs is too much to attach the capstrips without pre-forming.  I soak the strips (3/16" X 5/8") in hot water in a PVC tube for about 4 hours.  It then goes into a form to dry.  This sets a curve which allows them to be installed without splitting and breaking. 

I also tried something different this time.  I pulled out all the nails on the lower wings front the capstrips after they dried (the nails are only there to hold the capstrip in position while the glue dries).  I wanted to make sure the nails didn't work their way out and eventually poke through the fabric.  Pulling the nails out was a pain, so I used little nailing strips this time to make the removal easier.  A lot of you are probably saying "DUH"!  Well, sometimes I'm just a little slow...

 Pictures below tell the rest of the story.

Capstrip material being soaked

Soaked strips in the forming jig

Strips installed with nailers holding them in place while the glue dries

Strips installed on the top side - our mighty Funk in the background
patiently waiting to be flown!

Detail of capstrips

Next will be repeating the same on the bottom of the wings, then it's trailing edge, leading edge, wing tip bows and finally the ailerons.

One other accomplishment these past couple weeks, I built up another Berling mag as a spare.  I was able to straighten the first armature I had re-wound that had about .010" runout.  Here it is...

Spare Berling mag ready to go