Restoration of 1934 Beechcraft B17L, NC12592, serial number 12
Horizontal Stabilizer
Old stabilizer.
After two coats of varnish, looks to nice to cover.
Fin attachment hardware and rudder cable pulleys.
Fin Rest. Notches in rear spar are for the elevator control horns.
These links are at the strut attach point. They distribute the load to an addition bolt. These bolts are
under the fabric. The head is rounded to help smooth the covered structure. The cotter pin hole is drilled
very close to the end of the bolt so very little bolt is protruding below.
The link is held in position by two #0 X 3/8 wood screws. This is the
first time I have seen #0 screws used on an aircraft. These screws prevent the link from moving before or
during the fabric covering.
Large image
Large image
1/16" plywood covers the outer rib bay.
1/16" plywood skin ready to install. Temporary strips are glued to
the leading edge so that the spring clamps will not slip off.
This edge will be trimmed off after the glue cures.
Ribs completed on one side.
Large image
Stabilizer assembly underway.
Nose rib detail.
The root rib, where the fabric will start, has to be strong enough to support the fabric tension. The top and bottom of this rib is 1/8" plywood and the web is 1/16".
Large image
Remaining nose rib webs finished. Root rib clamped up.
Large image
Joint at rib and leading edge. Rib cap strip is 1/8" X 3/8" with a 1/8" X 3/64" slot.
Leading edge has been glued into position.
Large image
Rib web parts. The spruce parts are 1/8" thick. The gussets are 1/16" plywood on both sides. These are nailed together
with 3/8" nails which are clinched over on the other side.
Large image
Jig for building the nose rib webs.
Fitting the fin to the stabilizer frame.
Large image
Stabilizer leading edge is notched with a dado blade. A piece of cap strip tacked to the saw deck ensures
that the second notch is alignment with the first.
Stabilizer leading edge has been steamed and bent. Allowed to dry and is now ready to be glued and clamped together in the form. A piece of 1/16" plywood fills the gap.
Fitting stabilizer frame to fuselage.
Large image
All diagonals have been installed. Elevator remains attached to rear spar during the installation of the diagonals
to ensure alignment.
Large image
New spars with old stabilizer.
Extra laminates are add at the bend where the struts attach.
And in the center.
Spar laminates are glued together one at a time. Suann is cleaning up glue goobers. I am lucky that she also likes to
rib stitch. She did most of the rib stitching on my Piper PA-12. I estimate there will be 2400 rib
stitches in this project. Do I know how to show a girl a good time or what!
The spruce pieces, four 2" X 3/16", have been steamed and bent, ready to glue together.
Large image
Large image
Large image
