• The Biplane Forum is a large global active community of biplane builders, owners and pilots. From Pitts to Skybolts, to older barnstormers, all types are welcome. In addition to our active community, our content boasts exhaustive technical information which is often sought after for projects and maintenance. This information has accumulated over the 12+ years the forum has been in existence.

    The Biplane Forum is a private community. Subscriptions are only $49.99/year or $6.99/month to gain access to this great community and unmatched source of information not found anywhere else on the web. We are also a great resource for non biplane users, since many GA aircraft are built the same way (fabric and tube construction). Annual membership also comes with two BiplaneForum.com decals.



Making wing tip bows

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Neil

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Supporter
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
6,640
Reaction score
1,216
Location
Monroe, Louisiana
I got started making the replacement wing tip bow today. I still had the form from when they were originally built so that helped a lot.

I needed a way to form the wood. Before, I had soaked the 1/8" thick strips for a day or more so they would bend but I didn't want to wait until tomorrow to clamp them in the form so I was looking around the shop and found this Wagner Wall Paper Steamer. Along with that I had some 2" PVC pipe and a couple of tops from spray cans to cover the ends.The caps just sort of fit over the ends of the pipe close enough to not seal but let some of the steam escape. I cut a hole in one of the caps and stuck the steamer hose in there.

Once the steamer was up to heat it only took about an hour to soften the wood to the point where it could be placed in the form.

Many years ago I found a wing and fuselage from a Travel-Air Speed Wing in a shed. I really liked the shape of the tips so I adopted that shape for my Acro Sport.

Tip repair 1.JPG


Tip repair 3.JPG
 

Latest posts

Back
Top