My most interesting flight so far

[Hagar]

If the front clips gave away, you'd expect to see more tear-damage at the end of the segment, if it was blown away. Now it just looks like it lifted away from the wing in one blow... strange thing... keep us posted if they find out what caused it...

Probably my fault but I think we're in danger of attaching too much importance to those clips. They're fitted along the wing ribs & intended to prevent balloooning of the fabric, not to secure the fabric to the structure.

Once again... glad you made it down allright...

Indeed. I think another pint is in order. [smiley=guin.gif]

[The Ruptured Duck]

You were doing a steep turn when it happened?  Maybe there was some movement in the wing structure that shouldn't have been there, and popped the staples out?

[C]

Once again... glad you made it down allright...

Indeed. I think another pint is in order. [smiley=guin.gif]

Or eight? [smiley=guin.gif]

[Hagar]

You were doing a steep turn when it happened?  Maybe there was some movement in the wing structure that shouldn't have been there, and popped the staples out?

The staples don't hold the fabric on.

[The Ruptured Duck]

[quote][quote]You were doing a steep turn when it happened?

[Hagar]

You were doing a steep turn when it happened?  Maybe there was some movement in the wing structure that shouldn't have been there, and popped the staples out?

The staples don't hold the fabric on.

Then would the dope do that?

On traditional fabric covering yes. With modern heat-shrink covering materials they use a special adhesive. The point is that the fabric should wrap right round the front of the leading edge & be securely glued in place underneath. If this was done according to the book I don't see how a complete section could possibly have stripped away like that.

[The Ruptured Duck]

This wouldn't be the origional fabric on the airplane would it?

[Hagar]

This wouldn't be the origional fabric on the airplane would it?

According to Sean it had been recovered 'fairly recently' whatever that means. Whether this was a complete renewal of the fabric or a repair is not certain. If I had done the work I would be a worried man right now.

[The Ruptured Duck]

This wouldn't be the origional fabric on the airplane would it?

According to Sean it had been recovered 'fairly recently' whatever that means. Whether this was a complete renewal of the fabric or a repair is not certain. If I had done the work I would be a worried man right now.

If I had done the work, I would neeed a new pair of shorts when I found out.

I never actually knew that there were planes that used more than one piece of fabric (besides patches).  As I recall, to fabric the old planes, one would stretch the piece across the entire wing, then apply the dope and such.

[Hagar]

This wouldn't be the origional fabric on the airplane would it?

According to Sean it had been recovered 'fairly recently' whatever that means. Whether this was a complete renewal of the fabric or a repair is not certain. If I had done the work I would be a worried man right now.

If I had done the work, I would neeed a new pair of shorts when I found out.

I never actually knew that there were planes that used more than one piece of fabric (besides patches).  As I recall, to fabric the old planes, one would stretch the piece across the entire wing, then apply the dope and such.

There are two approved methods of covering a wing. The standard width of a roll of fabric is 70" which is not enough to wrap right round the chord of a wing from trailing edge to trailing edge so you have two choices. Cover the top & bottom separately or use a pre-manufactured wing bag that slips on the wing rather like a huge condom. The latter method is more satisfactory apart from being more expensive & having unsightly fore & aft seams 68" apart along the wing.

[The Ruptured Duck]

I see...kind of.  

So it appears this 140 was covered using the first method?

[Hagar]

I see...kind of.  

So it appears this 140 was covered using the first method?

We have no way of knowing that. Both methods are completely safe providing the work is done properly. I could be quite wrong but suspect the section that was torn off was fitted as a separate 'patch' rather than part of the original wing covering.

[The Ruptured Duck]

At the risk of being out-knowledgefied by you again (lol, ), I'm gonna say that looks like a huge area that would have been patched.  Caused by rotting or something?

[Hagar]

At the risk of being out-knowledgefied by you again (lol, ), I'm gonna say that looks like a huge area that would have been patched.  Caused  by rotting or something?

I've said far too much already. What I'm suggesting is that the covering job might not have been carried out according to regulations. I have no idea why that would be & only have Sean's photos to go by. Call it a hunch.

Ceconite is probably the most widely used modern covering material used on everything from microlights to DC-3s. The company website tells you all you could possibly want to know about using it. Scroll down & read the section headed ATTACHING THE FABRIC

[The Ruptured Duck]

no please continue, I'm a sponge for airplane info