Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: PietenpolTom(at)aol.com
I am currently installing 1/16" plywood on the leading edges andwrapping it around to the underside. Many thanks to Wayne at MidwestMarine for his excellent suggestions. I glued aqnd nailed the topedges and then used tie down straps every 12". I slowly tightened themwhile wetting the wood and used an iron to steam the wood while bending.Now my question - I installed the plywood pan below the center sectionof the wing (one piece wing). I extended the pan from the leading edgeto the rear spar. When I get to the point of covering, will I have toPoly Tak the whole underside of the center section? My concern is thatthere will be about 48" that I won't be able to rib stitch. If I onlyTak a strip at the center line would the fabric distort?I also enjoy Mike's video on a regular basis. It's helpful to see allof the nice details and the flying is very encouraging.Dick Navratil________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Ted Brousseau"
Has anyone used 1/16" okume plywood for their leading edge? How does itcompare to birch?Thanks,Ted BrousseauNaples, FL________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Hubbard, Eugene"
Ted,Since Pietenpol and Weeden,Davis,&Sanders used cardboard, I don't think itwould be a problem.I'm planning to use Hoop Pine on my Piet.Skip>Has anyone used 1/16" okume plywood for their leading edge? How does it>compare to birch?>Ted Brousseau>Naples, FL________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Gadd, Skip"
Skip,I have heard about this hoop pine and Okume . Where can I read abouttheir qualities? Is one better than the other?Thanks, Ted----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: del magsam

Original Posted By: "Ted Brousseau"
Hi TedI used okume on my leading edge. That is what I built the fuselage out ofat Sun N Fun. It is lighter than comparable mahogany. It was easy to warpall the way around. I wraped the whole edge from the spar on top to a 3"lap on the rib on the bottom. I just cut the sheet of ply into 12"x8"sections.On the uv test issue, I dont remember hearing any results either. My planewill be hangared also, so I am going to be satisfied with 1 coat of blackand 4 coats of yellow. I was out painting tonight.Dick----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Mark"
Ted,Try http://www.australply.com.au/about_hoop_pine.html (underscore beforeand after the word hoop)Or just search on hoop pine.The US importer use to come to Sun n Fun, they are in Texas.I got mine about 3 or 4 years ago and at that time I only remember 2 grades,interior and exterior. Now looking at the above sight it looks like theexterior has voids, so I wouldn't recommend it. The exterior I got has novoids, at least the 1/8 stuff I cut up for gussets didn't, and none areapparent in the 1/16, which I have not cut into yet.The marine grade they talk about on the web sight looks like the best picknow, water proof and no voids.I have been really impressed with the quality of the Hoop Pine I got. Thesurface is more smooth than Mahogany, not as grainy.The Okume Dick used to cover his Piet fuse at Sun n Fun seemed fine and wasgood to work with.I think either would be fine for leading edge, probably which ever is easierto get and/or cheaper.Skip>I have heard about this hoop pine and Okume . Where can I read about>their qualities? Is one better than the other?>Thanks, Ted________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: "Richard Navratril"
Dick,Did you mean 12" by 8 "feet" sections?Did you use water to bend?I bought a sheet of Okume on Friday. I like it.Ted----- Original Message -----

Original Posted By: "Ted Brousseau"
Hi TedYes, I cut to 12"x8ft sections. I used a piece of plywood as a straightedge and cut with a razor knife. Another yes, I nailed and glued the topsto the ribsto the leading edge and let the glue cure. Then I wet the woodand slowly bent it around. I used cargo tie down straps on every other riband slowly tightened while wetting and using an iron to bend. Over a coupleof days it tightened nicely.Another subject, we may be neighbors of sorts this winter. I am planning onbringing my Gemini 3400 down to Charolette Harbor this winter. It would benice to find a quiet boating, flying community to keep it docked. I have togo to Miami on business in a week or two. I am going to start looking.Dick----- Original Message -----