Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 17: Wing Skins (part 11)

Reference: page 17-05, page 17-06; 3.5 hours

I'm enjoying working on the RV-12's wing tips, it's quite different from the fiberglass tips used on the RV-10 and other Van's Aircraft planes.

Step 4: Rivet the W-1204F-L Aft Wing Tip Rib to the W-1204A-L Wing Tip Fwd Skin and W-1204B Wing Tip Aft Skin. The tip of the Rear Spar Assembly may be trimmed to eas fitting between the flanges of the Aft Wing Tip Rib.



Step 5: Flute the W-1204E-L Fwd Wing Tip Rib so that it matches the outboard edge of the W-1204A-L Wing Tip Fwd Skin. Rivet the fwd tip rib to the wing tip fwd skin and W-1204F-L Wing Tip Rib.



Builder's note: In the picture above the top tip rib has yet to be fluted as compared to the flute rib.It can't be seen in the picture but I had to flute both the top and bottom flanges to get these to fit right.





This completes page 17-05.

Reference page 17-06

Step 1: Fabricate a bending tool from a piece of wood 1/2 - 3/4 inches thick. See Figure 1 of Van's Aircraft RV-12 plans on page 17-06. To use the bending tool, slide the slot in the bending block over the tab so that the edge of the tab hits the back of the slot and bend the tab. This will give the proper flange height. Bend the tabs of one of the W-1204D Wing Tip Close-Outs as shown in figure 2 of Van's Aircraft plans.

Builder's note: The plans give angles within a degree. I bent mine within 5 degrees of these measurements erring on the less bent side of the measurement with no problems in fitting the close-out





Step 2: Cleco the W-1204D-L Wing Tip Close-Out to the wing. Check to be sure that the fit is good and adjust the bend angles of the wing tip close-out tabs if/as required. When satisfied with the fit of the wing tip close-out, rivet to the wing.



Builder's note: A couple of the rivets bottomed out on the rivets from the opposing skin. For these I used a hand rivet gun to allow these to be slide into place while setting.



Builder's note: If installing lights the rivet holes I am pointing at , in the picture below, are left open until the light fairing is installed.



Next time we will finish the RV-12's wings off with the exception of installing the tip strobe fairings. I'm holding off on these until I start in on the fiberglass work. Also, I don't have the fuel tank sealant and don't want to store it as it has a limited shelf life.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 17: Wing Skins (part 10)


Reference: page 17-05; 2.5 hours


Today I only got one step done, however I spent most of the time working on how to handle the wing tip close out on the RV-12.

Step 3: Rivet the W-1204B Wing Tip Aft Skin and the W-1204A-L Wing Tip Fwd Skin to the wing.





Builder's note: This is where I started playing with the front corner of the wing tip. The next two pictures below are different treatment for the tip. The first is of Vans Aicraft's factory plane.The second is of Larry Geiger's beautiful plane which was taken at AirVenture in 2010. He used epoxy and fiberglass to build it up. Both methods work, but I wanted something in between these extremes.





Below are photos of the steps I went through to come up with a formed aluminum tip. As you can see the closout tabs are bent with a curve on the front tabs as opposed to the factory angles.











If messing with forming aluminum is of interest to you, practice on scrap first. Also, a really good resource is Kent White the Tinman
Here's a link to the DVD I have from him: Basic Damage Repair on Aluminum Body.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 17: Wing Skins (part 10)


Reference: page 17-04, page 17-05; 2.5 hours


I've been build both wings on the RV-12 aircraft at the same time, which has worked out very well. 


As a side note, Van's Aircraft has posted pictures of the new Dynon Skyveiw installation on their Facebook page. Here is a link if you have not seen it: RV-12 with Skyview .

Step 4: Cleco the remaining portion of the Outbd Wing Skin and the Mid Wing Skin to the wing. Rivet the outbd and mid wing skins to the wing leaving open holes shown in Figure 3 on page 17 of the RV-12 plans by Van's Aircraft.

Builder's note: I found it helpful (at least on my wings) to set and rivet the rivets in the wing ribs from the nose towards the main spar.





Step 5: Flip-over the left wing placing it upside-down on the table. Dimple the screw holes in the Mid Wing Skin and in the Access Hatch. Dimple the rivet holes in both the nutplates and in the mid sing skin for the access hatch. Install nutplates on the wing skin and install the hatch.





Builder's note: Used small female die during dimpling, however a regular sized die can be modified as well.





Step 6: Repeat all steps from page 17-02 Step2 through Step 4 on page 17-04. Builder's note: As mentioned earlier, I built both wings at the same time so this step is completed. Building both wings has worked fine if you have the space.

This completes page 17-04

Reference page 17-05

Step 1: Take the W-1204G-L HandHold and bend where the part is notched.



Builders note: Used a block of wood with a radiused edge to make these bends.

Step 2: Rivet the W-1213-L Tip Rib to the rear spar . Rivet the Hand Hold and W-1204C WIng Tip Bottom Skin to the wing.



Builder's note: I drilled out and reversed the rivet in the picture above. This was done to give the handle a cleaner look.





That's it for this building session.