Channel Braces in Wings

[James L. Smith]

The wings of 271T (a PA-18-105SP) had about 15 channel braces in each wing, especially at the butts and tip bows. Watching Paul Bradshaw's DVD, I don't see him installing ANY.

The original ribs on this aircraft were in pitiful shape. They needed channel braces.

The wings will now have Dakota Cub ribs, false spars, LE, and TE-- all quite strong and rigid. Do we still need to install those channel braces? My guts reaction is no.

Anybody know for sure?

Gotta get official drawings asap.

As usual, thanks to everyone for your wonderful splendid advice .

 

[Flapman]

Yes, your do need to install the U channel braces to keep ribs and tip bow in place when the fabric is shrunk. The braces attach to the butt rib, the #4 tank lid attach rib and the tip bow. If you have difficulty in finding illustrations PM me and I can either scan and send you some jpegs, or send your address and I'll snail mail some install info.
Regards,
Flapman

 

[Fortysix12]

Tell me more about Bradshaws DVD- What is it and whats it show.

 

[James L. Smith]

Tell me more about Bradshaws DVD- What is it and whats it show.

Bradshaw lectures at Sentimental Journey in Lockhaven, PA every year. He's an authority on Cub rebuilding.

His DVD may be bought from Univair. It shows him rebuilding a PA-18-150 wing and it has been very helpful to me while rebuilding wings.

 

[Steve Pierce]

Put the braces in for sure. We cut fabric off a wing that had Dakota Cub butt ribs with no braces. The rib looked like a country road in northern Arkansas. Be sure and use 4 of the long braces between the tip bow and the spar. The early wings only had two and the wing tip bows always curled up.

 

[coder]

Put the braces in for sure.

I agree.

Who ever installed the Dakota Cub butt ribs must not have thought they needed brace channels.

We always put them in our wings. It's surprising how rigid it makes the butt ribs and tip bows by just adding a little aluminum brace.