Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I was reading an old post (I believe its out of an old SA article?) that says "....The use of lower aileron gap covers adds about 3 mph ...."
I don't know what aileron gap covers are or what they look like on a Thorp. Can anyone post a picture of their aileron gap covers? I wouldn't mind having another 3 mph.

Not sure if this matches the article but it's what's installed on my aircraft.

Basicly it is a piece of aluminum that runs the full span of the aileron and is fastened under the bottom skin and protrudes about 2". It seals to the bottom of the aileron when in the neutral position.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

Interesting. Lets start a pole.

How many have aileron gap covers?

I do not. Although I also wouldn't mind having another 3 mph.

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Matt Smith
Des Moines, IA
55RC

I do not have gap seals. I taped my hinge line once and detected no difference in speed or roll rate.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

good idea on the tape Bob. I'm going to start there.

I too taped my aileron gaps and noticed very little difference in airspeed. I did notice a difference in roll trim. Rate may have been slightly higher. While I was at it I also completely taped the flap gaps top and bottom. There might have been a ever so slight change in speed between the two, but not really worth losing use of flaps. I should note that speed checks were basically indicated airspeed at same altitude before and after the taping process. Landing without flaps not really a big deal, but certainly makes the process easier and with a steeper angle and lower speed.


Jim Borg
N180RG

3 mph gain ? I get that with parallax depending how I look at the AS indicator . Sometimes I get a 10 mph gain ! BOOM !

RB

Faster and Higher

A little off subject, but I made brake caliper covers for the Thorp after talking to a fellow Thorp driver that claimed it gave him 6 to 8 kts. I flew a course with and without the cuffs and using my imagination see 1 kt. The Thorp if built straight and rigged true will go about as fast as it will go as JT designed it with out any gap seals, etc. I flew over to GIF sunday morning and indicated 184 mph at 24/24 at 2000 asl.

Brake caliper covers ? You put them over the calipers then put on the wheel pants ? Or Sanz pants ?

RB

This is a fairing that attaches to the wheelpant and blends the gear leg fairing to the wheelpant and covers the caliper.

I have Aileron and Flap gap covers....Dan

OK...wheel pant cuff .

RB

Faster and Higher

That wheel pant cuff is a bugger to fit up....Dan

you aint kidding. I just put mine back on and it was a pain to get them closed up and tight. Still not perfect but acceptable.

Boy I struggled with those cuffs Ryan, I was at the end of my build and I wanted to fly I just wanted the acceptable that you mentioned. I got mine from Tom Hunter, Carbon fiber units, then had to fit em up to some pants I got from Spruce, I think I spent about 2-3 days on em......Dan