Lower Wing Rib Construct

10/2/2005

I have been routing out the lower wing ribs. I have been using a 1/2 inch trim router bit. However, after routing the spar apertures, I realized that the radius in the corners was 1/4 inch, this would mean that there would have to be a 1/4 inch radius on the spar edges...something I wasn't keen on doing, due to there being less substance left on the spars than the plan stated. So, I went back and re-routed the spar aperture corners with a 3/16 inch rout bit, thus giving me a much tighter 3/32 radius.

The lower main 'full ribs' are now sanded and basically ready for assembly...whenever that day comes. I made one extra rib as a back up...one never knows...

Regarding the 'less aileron ribs', I have taken the original full rib template, and cut off the tail end. This will now be the template for these ribs. I wasn't keen on cutting up my lovely template, but I wished to keep the same replication for these ribs as the full ribs - what better way than using 80% of the original template?..

Plywood for the upper wings is now on order, along with spruce material for the bow tips and ailerons, which I will be building next. After making the upper ribs and ailerons, I will be tackling the laminated bow tips.