Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I have finally started to build my new outer wing panel. In the interest of saving some time,I purchased a center punched skin, new full flanged ribs, and a new rear spar from Richard Eklund and I'm really happy with what I received from him. I am using my original spar as it was undamaged. I drilled everything #40 and bent the leading edge radius in the skin (which is not as spooky as I thought!), and loaded it onto the frame. The top skin matched up and clecoed in well. My question (and the reason for this long post), is what technique do you guys use to pull things up snug to get clecos in the other side? The holes are close and I know there has to be a better way than using a punch to pull things up tight.

Thanks for any input!

Scott Saver

I used some furniture strap clamps. You need to make some spar spacers that will hold the main and rear spar apart. Can just be a couple of 1x2's that are cut to length. Refer to the plans and your actual fitting spacing on the plane for the exact size needed. These spacers will prevent the wing from crushing as you draw the strap clamps tight. You will also have to put a two by four in the mix by placing it along the rear spar to hold the strap clamp off the over-hanging top skin at the rear.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

If you look under my picture under the Member Photos (Steve Peirce)you will see the wing skin stretcher tool I design to help locate holes in the rear spar. I built two of these units and attached them to the aft center rib hole located on the back side of the spar.
You turn the handles and

Image Insert:


Put File Caption Hereline the holes up.
If you have any question please give me a call 256-327-6151.

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Stephen R. Peirce
S/N#078 Ph 256-461-0233
Rocket City
Huntsville, Alabama

Thanks Bob,Steve, and Rich! I'll be home tomorrow night and will be getting things worked out this weekend. Will let you know how it turns out.

Scott