Wing Fittings

Since the wing fittings are so tedious and time-consuming, I decided to start knocking some of them out over the last few days.  Besides, the wings cannot be assembled until they are made.

Photo of original fitting on spar

I started with the easy ones first...  these are small brackets that go behind the fittings that the drag/anti-drag wires attach to.  Made from .062 4130.

These are the ones I made (plus the original) - 20 pieces required for all wings

Photo of original

I then tackled the more difficult fittings - the ones that attach to the drag/anti-drag wires. These required multiple bending forms and since there are tight bends involved, the parts had to be heated to prevent cracking. They are also made from .062 4130.

Here they are - all 20 of them.  Just need to be drilled - the easy part!

Detail shot showing all the bends. Once formed, the part has an autogenous TIG weld down the edge to hold it all together.

OX-5 Swallow wing drawing

I also got the rib locations marked on the spars for the lower wings.  I was able to use what pieces I have of the original spars plus drawings.  The drawings are worth mentioning.  Apparently no Lincoln-Page drawings exist.  They were destroyed in a flood - this even confirmed by a copy of a correspondence I have from Ray Page's wife.  (Ray was founder of the Lincoln-Page Aircraft Co.)  Fortunately, when Victor Roos joined Lincoln-Page, he brought with him all the drawings for the OX-5 Swallow which the LP-3 is a copy of.  I do have some Swallow drawings of the wings which do agree 100% to the LP-3.

Location of ribs marked on spars