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Thread: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

  1. #1

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    Default Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    Getting ready to cover my experimental vagabond.. Have read much about the covering drumming on the bottom of the wing in the fuel tank area on PA20/22. Do the 16's and 17's have the same problem? Now is the time to add the anti drumming plates if needed. My wing has short ailerons (6 feet) and no flaps (is the flap gap a culprit of the drumming?) and 115 hp (is increased power/speed inducing the drumming?)
    Thanks eveyone, learning more from this site every day.

  2. #2
    d.grimm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    When I rebuilt my wings there was no damage other than
    old age and the butt rib looked like Swiss cheese from all the
    holes for wing fairing screws. I used Univair ribs with nut plates
    so that wouldn't happen again.
    I have read about Clippers breaking ribs and my Pacer had
    Aluminum backing plates behind the inspection plates.
    Dave

  3. #3
    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    The bigger engines drum the fabric more than the little ones. What engine are you going to run. Something like this would be in order for larger engines in my opinion. http://www.shortwingpipers.org/forum...ming-Wing-Root

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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    Dave- thanks for the heads-up on nutplates for the fairings.
    Steve-I'm using a Lycoming O-233 (the new one). 115hp. Your thread on drumming is what really got me thinking about this. If it is recommended that I add anti-drumming plates, I'll have to come up with something slightly different as I do not have flaps/false spar in this area to end the plate into... I have no real need for inspection plates in this area either. Might just be a 12"-15" plate spanning the first 4 ribs or so, centered (fore/aft) on the rear spar? I'll take your advice on adding them/leaving them off/etc.
    thanks!

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    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    The Clipper doesn't have a flap or false spar in this area and over the years the fabric does drum and start cracking. I would fabricate a panel that will screw to the rear spar and turn 90 degrees aft at least in the first 3 rib bays with notches for the ribs. Brake a slight angle on the trailing edge part so it will not create a sharp edge that the fabric can drum on. It would be similar to what I did on the Colt and the pictures posted but much easier on an uncovered wing.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    Quote Originally Posted by d.grimm View Post
    I have read about Clippers breaking ribs and my Pacer had
    Aluminum backing plates behind the inspection plates.
    Dave
    Where do the Clipper ribs break?

  7. #7

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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    Thanks Steve. How far back from the rear spar do you suggest I run the panel?

  8. #8
    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    I would think 2-3 inches would be fine, enough to break up the large expanse of unsupported fabric.

    Bret, I have seen Clippers and Pacers break the tank bay ribs where they attach to the rear spar. The "T" section is doubled in the tank bar area under the fuel tank but is only a single thickness where it attaches to the rear spar. I used Dakota Cub tank bay ribs in my Clipper wings because they use an extruded "T" section which is thicker and stronger.

  9. #9
    BrettL's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    Thanks Steve. My Vagabond has a tank in the right wing, but it sits between two existing adjacent ribs and I don't think either of those are modified in the installation. Probably would be a good spot to inspect the capstrips regardless.
    Last edited by BrettL; 02-15-2012 at 09:50 PM.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Vagabond/clipper wing drumming?

    Correct, you have full ribs which are stronger because of the truss of the ribs.

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