rudder skin and elevator skin cracking

A forum in which to discuss topics specific to the assembly of the RV 4.
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Ronald Sutton
Class G
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2013 2:46 pm

rudder skin and elevator skin cracking

Post by Ronald Sutton »

By fluting a 3/4 inch curve the rudder and elevator stiffeners, the skin will have a slight curve to it, giving the whole skin area a surface strenght that will resist oil canning and flutter in flight. This will reduce the cracking around many of the rivets on the trailing edge.
Ron Sutton Yaw String
I built a Witman tailwind 1972
i built a RV4 1991
I bought a RV4 2012

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captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Ronald, I know the inherent cracking that you are talking about. The early sixes are prone to it as well.

Van has gone to thicker skins on these models to mitigate the problem.

How did you arrive at your decision to put a bow in the stiffies? Does it have any adverse impacts anywhere else to the design?

Just looking into the option a little bit deeper is all. Please don't be offended.

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

Ronald Sutton
Class G
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2013 2:46 pm

Post by Ronald Sutton »

By fluting the stringers 3/4 of an inch gives a curve to the skin, as well as a even smooth surface for the air to pass over, and not creating any turbulence that would cause the skin to vibrate causing stress on the attaching rivets
I built a Witman tailwind 1972
i built a RV4 1991
I bought a RV4 2012

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