Fokker axle wings.

JohnFitz · 17 August 2007, 04:17 PM

Thanks Gary, and how was the plywood skin attached to the ribs, just glued and screwed which would have made it un-removable?

gipsymoth236k · 17 August 2007, 07:34 PM

JohnFitz,

The Dr.I wheel fairing's two-piece plywood sheets were glued and NAILED over the fairing rib's capstrips, making the DR.I wheel fairing non-removable. After wheel removal, the bungee cord could be serviced through an oval hole cut into the end of the fairing, as shown attached here. You can see why the Albatros and O.A.W. companies altered their wheel fairing's design for easy removal in their contracted Fokker D.VII production. I can't imagine why the Fokker company NEVER follow such a good idea. Cost? Maybe the Fokkers were expected to be destroyed before a longer service life would require such access to the bungee cords for replacement?

Regards, Gary Sewall

JohnFitz · 17 August 2007, 07:52 PM

Thanks Gary, That is what I thought. Don't know why anyone would do it different. Other than the bungee (which is accessable) there are no moving parts in there so why complicate things with removable pieces?

Jeff Brooks · 17 August 2007, 09:47 PM

I wonder if the removal of the outer ribs on that fairing is not so much for getting at the bungees, but keeping mud and grass from collecting up inside that area!
Having had the opportunity to put the bungees on the axle while working with that little hole, it really was not that hard, but I can only image trying to get my whole arm in there to pull debris out!

My take on fabric to cover the fairing ... maybe they didn't have fabric when they came from the factory, but it sure is a smart and simple way to repair damage to the plywood and keep the weight down. I had finished my fairing and a can punctured a hole in the bottom trailing edge. VERY, Very tricky to go back and repair. Kinda like when they used to duct tape battle damage on the rotor blades of the Huey in Vietnam. The trailing edge of that fairing is so close to the ground, that the smallest of obstacle could damage it!

tcrean7828 · 17 August 2007, 10:07 PM

Good thoughts all, learn something new every day here at the aerodrome.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

Dan_San_Abbott · 17 August 2007, 10:25 PM

Gentlemen:
It is my opinion that Fokker Flugzeugwerke used two pieces to cover the axle wing, ( I have in my first post used axle wing or axle fairing, both meaning the wing form that covers the aluminum axle box.) one piece from the top center-line of the axle box around the leading edge to the bottom trailing edge. The second piece abuts the first piece on the top of the axle box to the trailing edge. Two wood stringers are attached to the top and bottom of the axle box. The plywood covering is glued and bradded to these two stinger and the ribs and the trailing edge strip. The top two pieces of plywood are notched to provide clearance for the front and rear landing legs.
On the surface of the bottom plywood cover over the steel box to which the landing gear legs are welded, are two wood blocks are glue and screwed. These are the jacking pads.
The axle wing is painted and varnished.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Bookmaker · 18 August 2007, 04:49 AM

I think Jeff has a good concept as to why to eliminate the outer rib by some manufacturers. The access hole for getting at the bungee would definitely allow a lot of trash, mud, etc to collect in the outer sections. With no access other than the oval hole, it would sure be tough to clean out. Obvoiusly not a good situation.

I see the different subwings like the cowl vents. Each manufacturer had some reason to make their own "improvements".

Dale

Dan_San_Abbott · 18 August 2007, 05:26 PM

Bookmaker:
All three manufacturers delivered their Fok.D.VII machines with full and complete axle wings. The few axle wings that were clipped was done by the mechanic in some Jasta or Armee Flugpark.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Bookmaker · 18 August 2007, 06:38 PM

Dan-San, you may very well be correct, but Jeff's reasoning still is valid why they may have made such modifications, even if in the field.

Dale

tcrean7828 · 18 August 2007, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Gentlemen:
It is my opinion that Fokker Flugzeugwerke used two pieces to cover the axle wing, ( I have in my first post used axle wing or axle fairing, both meaning the wing form that covers the aluminum axle box.) one piece from the top center-line of the axle box around the leading edge to the bottom trailing edge. The second piece abuts the first piece on the top of the axle box to the trailing edge. Two wood stringers are attached to the top and bottom of the axle box. The plywood covering is glued and bradded to these two stinger and the ribs and the trailing edge strip. The top two pieces of plywood are notched to provide clearance for the front and rear landing legs.
On the surface of the bottom plywood cover over the steel box to which the landing gear legs are welded, are two wood blocks are glue and screwed. These are the jacking pads.
The axle wing is painted and varnished.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Dan-San
Good info, tks

cul

tcrean7828

tom