Wing - Right Wing
Today, I did the scarf-joint, and dimpled all of the skins execpt for the bottom skins--I was just all dimpled-out.
I, also, finished preparing the leading edge for riveting. That's when I discovered a major screw-up on the inboard rib that holds the W423 splice plate. Apparently, when I drilled the splice plate, the top of the rib moved out of position, because the row of holes were almost on the inside edge of the flange. I remember that Scott Haskins also did this, and he ordered a new rib. I wondered how he had done that, and now I think I know. When you prepare the rib, you draw a line down the middle of the flange so you can drill the holes in the center of the flange. Then, you put the W423 splice plate between the rib and the skin and you get it positioned by measuring the distance that it sticks out. You have to tap the splice plate in or out a little before you drill, at which time, you cannot see the line on the rib because it is under the splice plate.
It is probably better to drill through the skin and slightly into the splice plate, but not through to the rib. Next, remove the splice plate, and finish drilling it. Then reassemble the rib/skin/W423, and align the rib, such that you can see the line on the rib through the holes. Now, when you drill the rib, the holes will be in the center of the flange. Or, you can just pay attention when you drill these pieces. See below how I fixed the problem (there is always a fix).
 | This is the scarf on the inboard top skins. |
 | Hard to tell here, but the scarf joint came out pretty good. |
 | Error What's all those extra clecos on the inboard rib? |
 | Error Here, you can see the row of bad holes veering towards the inside edge of the rib, as well as the new holes in the center of the rib flange where all the clecos are installed. Also, note that I drilled new holes for rivets half way between several rivets towards the nose and the rear of the rib. These new rivets carry the load for the original rivets, some of which are too close to the bad holes. |
 | Error Here's another picture of the rib without clecos. |
 | Everything all clecoed, ready to rivet. |