2M Lil Bird Wing Construction

[Dave Moore]

I am building my first Bird and have some quesitons:

Ray's instructions say to leave out the inboard rib of the tip panels (#7B) until after the tip is joined to the inner panel. I don't see how this is possible without whacking the rib to pieces and gluing the pieces in.

Similar issue with the center section: Ray says leave out the inboard (#1) rib form one inner panel until after the two inner panels are joined (one piece wing). Again, it seems I would have to cut the rib to pieces to get it in.

Finally, the top sheeting on the trailing edge of the tip panel has to bend over the "elbow" at the trailing edge. This seems like a real difficult joint to make. Could anyone offer tips to make this easier? Should I join the two trailing edge pieces before I attempt to glue them in? Should I steam the pieces to assist in bendiing?

Ray response to these questions has been of no help, IE: "Cut #7B, do not cut #1." I need a bit more detailed information.

Dave Moore

[daveh]

Dave,
I purchased my 2m Lil Bird kit back in 1/01 as my first balsa kit, and upon opening the box, was absolutely terrified of the number of parts, and the instructions clearly written for an experienced builder. Needless to say, I did not start building until 3 years later, about 10 months ago. I have just covered the wing this weekend and am about 75% done with the fuse. Unfortunately I did not make notes as I built, so I cannot answer your questions specifically. I do remember leaving a couple of ribs out, and at the time it seemed quite strange, you will use those "left out" ribs later in the wing construction. I have made several errors along the way, but I think my bird will fly fairly well in the end. Hang in there, and when you get frustrated and lost, walk away for a day or two.

Any "Lil Bird" builders out there please chime in.

Daveh

[CoastalFlyer]

Ray response to these questions has been of no help Write him again - he's very helpful. ;)

[skybenchone]

Sorry if I don't get everyone's questions answered, I have to be busy and my wife says I'm taking this "Keep busy" retirement thing a bit far (I'm almost 70) and looking at my Procuct List she might be right.

It takes a lot of work (meaning time) to handle my sales volume and with all the varying levles of building experience my customers represent, I will admit some of them will receive short e mail answers that may not work for them.
The phone is a much better way to comunicate, but I spend a lot of time at the wood machines. Laser cut full kits take a ton of time to produce.

A couple of weeks ago at my club's contest we flew three 10 minute rounds of 2 Meter. I flew my very old and beat up 2M Lil'Bird, it is rudder/elevator only, my landing scores were 93-93-94 and I placed 2nd among a hord of composits.
Just thought I would pass this on to give you younger guys something to shoot for. I love to fly and I love to build, enjoy.


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[Dave Moore]

daveh,

When it came time to put in the ribs that were left out, do you recall if you cut the ribs in two to install them?

Do you recall what it took to install the sheeting on the trailing edge?

Ray,

Come on Ray, your post was long, but did not respond to my questions.
Do you understand my questions? Can I clarify my problems?

My club members advise me to just whack the ribs and glue them in as best as I can.

The reason for my confusion regarding the ribs is that t seems a shame to cut up such a fine laser-cut rib. If the rib has to be cut up to be installed, it seems as though you would have supplied it as individually cut pieces.

My concern over the trailing edge elbow sheeting is that the two sections don't line up at the elbow. To get them to line up it seems like the joint will be under significant tension, assuming I can get it to fit at all. I feel like I am missing something.

Dave Moore

[Cyph3r42]

Dave,
Are you referring to the bending of the curved section of the trailing edge over the largest rib on the tip panel or just the alignment with respect to notched sections on the ribs?

As far as the hacking up of laser cut ribs goes: On the Big Bird you frequently have to cut into the ribs to install ply spar webs. I would not be suprised if you needed to cut the ribs in two to get them in place.

[johnsocj]

Holy Sheet Batman!

That's a huge product list. Producing that much would send me to the madhouse, and I'm sure I would piss off a few customers along the way.

Running your own business is a unique and challenging experience. It's not for everybody.

Dave- Cutting ribs is a pretty common technique, don't be afraid of it. Run with the information you have. Sometimes you just have to sit and stare at a problem for a while, maybe with the sage advice of a heifeweisen- it'll come to you.

Ray- I'll be ordering a 2M Bird when I can scratch the cash- way to go at the contest!

[daveh]

Dave,
I recall the trailing edge sheeting took some manipulation--ie sanding cutting, etc; mine ain't perfect to say the least. As far as the ribs, I think your club member had the right advice, "just whack 'em and fit them as best as possible". Sorry, I should have taken notes, I do remember this issue being confusing and frustrating. I will say this though, after having just covered my "most likely, slightly flawed" wing, it does look really good. Keep plugging away, you can do it, just don't worry about it being "perfect". Very few out there build absolutely "perfect planes".

Daveh