RV-10 #40237 - Wing Construction - Top Wing Skins

First  |  Previous Chapter  |  Next Chapter  |  Project Home

After hanging the outer wing skins, I did not like how wavy they looked.  Also, I did not like the ugly lap joint between the inboard and outboard panels.  I moved on to completing the outboard wing leading edge, fuel tanks and ailerons, while I contemplated fabricating continuous top skins of the thicker 0.032” aluminum.  After completing the ailerons, I ordered two 4’ X 12’ sheets of 2024 T6 X 0.032” aluminum from Aircraft Spruce for $162 per sheet.

I then carefully overlaid the original top skins on both new sheets. Using a 3/32” drill, I drilled and Cleco’d every other hole. I think I used every Cleco I had. After drilling was complete, I then cut the sheets, then filed and polished the edges. I hung the skins on the wing top and commenced match drilling with a #40 bit. Everything after this was per plans.
    Click on picture for a larger view & narrative.
wings38.jpg
wings39.jpg
wings40.jpg
wings71.jpg
wings72.jpg
wings74.jpg
wings74.jpg
wings75.jpg
wings76.jpg
wings77.jpg
wings78.jpg
wings79.jpg
wings80.jpg
wings81.jpg
wings82.jpg
wings83.jpg
wings84.jpg
wings85.jpg
wings86.jpg
wings87.jpg
wings88.jpg
wings89a.jpg
wings89b.jpg
wings90a.jpg
wings90b.jpg
wings90c.jpg
wings90d.jpg
wings90e.jpg

© William W. Curtis 2004-2005
All rights reserved.