Roden Triplane Upper WIng

[Trackpad]

Hello, All,
I have three questions regarding the Roden Triplane upper wing.

1. A review (that I can't find now) stated that the small rectangle molded into the centre upper wing surface represents a small, clear panel used to view the main spar serial number, and the spar condition. Also, its location on the kit wing is too far back, and should be moved forward a few millimeters. Can anyone confirm this, and perhaps give a bit of guidance as to the actual appearance/location of this clear panel?

2. Same review talks about "stacking pads," in that they are molded onto the wing and should be removed. I take it that these are the small rectangular moldings on the wing undersurface. Can anyone confirm this? As an aside, I have seen a website featuring a triplane 1:1 build, and the "stacking pads" seem to be included on that wing.

3. There are two sets of small "bumps" on the wing underside, ostensibly to guide the fitting of the upper ends of the cabane struts. Ought they to be there at all? Should they be removed? Relocated? Modified?

... and one small, niggly question. There are two triangular plywood formers in the forward fuselage, which fair in the fuselage to the firewall. Would these have been stained dark, or just have had varnish applied over the natural wood?

Thanks in advance for any information sent: Most Appreciated!

[silverback]

1. The spar can be located by examining the plywood leading edge former. The aft end of the trapezoidal sections were nailed to the forward edge of the spar. The inspection window should be centered spanwise, and a bit aft of where the formers nail to the spar.
2. You will probably lose the molded-in stacking pads while smoothing the wing leading edge. These pads were approximately rectangular in shape, with a stamped bump in the center and a hole in each corner. They would mount to the nose of a wing rib, but the exact rib varied from batch to batch. A pair of them would be mounted identical distances from each wingtip, however. Their purpose was to prevent damaging the wing when it was stacked, nose down, for shipment or storage. The Windsock Special on the Dr.I shows several of the various locating schemes.
3. I believe Fokker used a ball and socket fitting to attach the top wing. I suggest you visit the "FTS Projects..." string in the Replica Aircraft section to see what these joints look like.
Also, the fuselage formers (that Roden somehow forgot) would probably have been varnished without any staining. This is pure speculation after viewing published pics of crashed triplanes (and factoring in Fokker's legendary frugalness).

Phil

[Trackpad]

Hi, Phil,

Thanks very much for this information. The fuselage plywood fairings are in place, ready for the formers. I'll use your information on the stacking pads to build them up, and the upper surface will undergo surgery to reposition the inspection window shortly. All a great help: thanks again!

Gary