Hanger rash or wash out?

Breguet · 13 July 2006, 03:57 PM

Looking at this picture of the IWM's BE2c I noticed that the trailing edge outboard tip of the elevator is swept up. This is on both port and starboard sides (I have a picture of the other side as well). Is this the result of bad handling or some sort of washout? I have never heard of washout on elevators before!

timjnf · 14 July 2006, 09:19 AM

If it isn't just warping from old age, or mishandling, possibly it is a little nose down trim?

Was it bent up a uniform amount across the span of the elevator, or were just the tips up?

Breguet · 14 July 2006, 03:48 PM

Just the tips. I'm leaning towards the warped over time theory myself.

Simba · 14 July 2006, 03:57 PM

I agree - time-warping.

The IWM's RE8's trailing edges of both lower mainplanes and tailplane were 'wavy' before its latest restoration (I photographed it at Duxford in 1997). And the replica 'Boxkite' in Bristol City Museum has an overtensioned undercarriage drag wire that's pulling the port wheel out of alignment.

Simba.

Elfen · 19 July 2006, 01:03 PM

I would say too that it would be done over time.
But what gets me thinking is how suddenly did this became apparent, within weeks or months (or perhaps years)?

If it was in a short timespan, lets say weeks, I would check the humidity level of the hanger and check for mold, flood, or water damage from a leaky roof or loose footing against the foundation that would be introducing the moisture into the area.

gipsymoth236k · 19 July 2006, 03:50 PM

I understand that nitrate doped cotton and linen fabric really never stop shrinking over the years, causing eventual warping and sometimes internal structural rib damage, etc. That's a good argument for today's reproduction aircraft to apply more modern fabrics, where shrinkage can be controlled during application, and also stops the continuing shrinking effect of the original fabrics.

Regards, Gary

Simba · 20 July 2006, 02:21 PM

The IWM BE2c was restored and re-covered at Duxford a few years ago. I believe it has been recovered in a modern material - the covering appears to be rather more translucent than the original linen.

Maybe 'twas stretched too tight?