Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Are the extra rivets required on the standard wing if the skin has been upgraded to .032

thanks, Everettt

My answer is Yes.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I asked John Thorp about this one time as my wing was originally built withou thee rear row of rivets. He also told me that it was ok to countersink them into the .032 skin even though the common advise is to not countersink skins of less than .040. This permitted me to finish the wing without removing the skin to dimple and countersink the spar. I still have the wing with no problems after about 1500 hours.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Where can I get a copy of the -537 print that shows the extra rivets in main spar? Is there an easier alternate method of compliance other than bucking the rivets. Wing is completed, has no inspection holes and has the extra rivets in the nose rib and .032 skin.

thanks, Everett

Everett,
Have a look at newsletter 49 page 4. As Bob mentioned above you can drill and countersink the second row, then if you cannot get in behind to buck them I'd go in with some cherry max. Make sure you get your depth measured right ... Cherry max aren't pop rivets.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Cherry Max rivets are your friend ! The cost is worth it...not talking about the entire A/C ! Only those hard to reach areas. If you can't get in there with a bucking bar or you have to do riveting alone, then these little Gems are the answer. Put them in a pneumatic gun or even a "Stanley Swivel Pop Rivet puller." Check E-Bay for both. On E-bay you can get 1000 CM rivets for about $100.00 plus shipping ? The guy is in Canada. Get the CM depth gauge to determine the correct length rivet. BADA BING, BADA BOOM !

RB