Thorp Air Command - T18.net

My airplane is supposed to have internal balance weights installed in the Stab. If it does, the short channel that would support the weights between the outer ribs is not riveted to the skin. There is no tell-tale evidence to prove conclusively that internal weights exist.

Before I perform any exploratory surgery I was wondering if anyone had any clever ideas. Would the 6 lb of lead make a detectable difference in static stick force, or force required to lift, say, the trailing edge of the stab? If so, does anyone have numbers?

D

Dick, I can flex my skin and feel where the lead weight is. I assume the tail tips are not removable. The weights are just inboard of the tip. Most builders used two AN screws to hold the weight through the leading edge skin. Use a #40 drill and drill a hole on the bottom skin, youj should hit lead, plug with a dab of JB and paint.

Dick,
I've been around your plane before and it was built by Bill Cox, the weights are there as is the doubler.

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Well, the weights ARE there indeed. The squeeze test was successful. So simple. Thanks!!

Another crisis averted.

Dick,

You have to stop trying to fix stuff that's not broke.

Jim :-)

Does this mean your working on it again,? Way to go Dick.

Lance