Extended Leading Edge rib stitching

[bob turner]

Wow! Ten years ago! Anybody notice the guy who went from 85 mph cruise to 110 mph with extra tin leading edges the only change? LoPresti should have hired him!

When you spend lots of money on a performance mod you are guaranteed to feel you have made a significant improvement in performance.

[skywagon8a]

My leading edge skin is extended 12-1/2" aft of the spar on the top and stops at the spar on the bottom. How is everyone attaching the fabric to the bottom cap of the rib in this area where you can't get a full stitch in place. Do you just run the stitch around the lower cap? or do you glue it in this area and start the stitching at the 12-1/2" location?

I didn't remember starting this thread. I glued the fabric to the extended leading edge using the Stewarts system with a thin layer of felt between the fabric and leading edge aluminum. I had no reservations in doing this as fabric has been glued/doped to wood wing surfaces for decades without issue. The lower fabric was installed and shrunk first. Then the stitches were tied to the bottom rib cap back as far as the trailing edge of the extended leading edge. This made it easy to get my hand inside to maneuver the needle. Then the top fabric was installed and shrunk with normal stitching completing the attachment. I can't say whether this was the proper way or not, except that it worked and has been satisfactory. The Cub flies great.

[RaisedByWolves]

Saw this on Facebook








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[Gordon Misch]

My -12 today, in steady-state level flight. The sun is low, so it's easy to see the contours on the top of the wing when zoomed in. The fabric is very slightly convex. Maybe 1/4" Maybe? I would argue that the fabric scallops we see on the ground are a non-issue. I did a hard turn (2 g?) to the left and Andrew, the photographer in his -12, saw very little if any change in the fabric contour from that in level flight.

Edit: Wrong thread. I'll reference this post from the correct thread.

[Hardtailjohn]

I glued the fabric to the extended leading edge using the Stewarts system with a thin layer of felt between the fabric and leading edge aluminum. I had no reservations in doing this as fabric has been glued/doped to wood wing surfaces for decades without issue.

Yup, amazing how that's worked for some really fast aircraft for a long time with no issues! I did the same, substituting a layer of heavy fabric for the felt. Been doing it that way for years.
John