Assembling VL Myrsky (MY-14) test-wing in jig started.

Tiistai 14.2.2017 - Member of Tuesday Club


Suomeksi

The MY-14 project group decided to build a test-wing of ca. 2.5 m length, measured from the wing-root. This will be done to ensure that the fitting of equipment and fittings that are fastened to the wing spars, including drilling holes for necessary fasteners can be done properly and also to pinpoint possible flaws in the building of the wing.

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During the early weeks of this year we were able to finish the front- and rear spars of the test-wing as well as the drilled holes for the metal parts lead-throughs. Also all the wing-ribs have been finished. Thus, the test-assembling could be started. The assembly work of the test-wing, as well as that of the final wing, will be done in a precision jig. A separate jig was made for the assembly of the test-wing. Using this, we can make sure that the placement and alignment of the spars related to each other will be spot-on. This is a must for us to be able to assemble the wing in strict accordance to shape and measures of the drawings.

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The assembly of the test-wing was begun by fastening the front- and rear spars in the jig. After this some parts of the landing-gear actuating mechanism were fitted to the drilled-through. The next steps was to start fitting the enclosed wing-ribs in-between the spars.

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At this point the benefit of the test-assembling became evident, as problems showed that the drawings were partly insufficient. Not an earthquake of challenges, but some additional head-scratching was needed before work could continue on the test-wing.

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Now the wing-ribs between the spars are glued into their correct positions and the metal parts that attach to the wing-spars are fitted. Covering the top-side of the wing between the spars is ongoing. Assembling the leading- and trailing edges of the wing will start only after all internal structures between the spars have been made and installed.

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The test-wing will not be disassembled after the tests, but instead it will become a museum exhibit. It will be used to show the visitors the construction of the WW II Myrsky-fighters wooden wing. For this purpose the top-side of the test-wing will be partly plywood-covered and partly covered with a clear polycarbonate sheet. The inter-spar wing-ribs will be plywood-covered on one side with the other side covered with clear polycarbonate sheet to show their construction.

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Parallel to the work on the wing-spars for the test-wing, work on the spars for the final wing has moved forward. The front and rear parts of both wing-spars will soon be ready to be glued together so that they both form box-spars. As this wing will be made as a left and a right wing that will be bolted together with the joint strengthened with steel-plates, instead of the one-piece wing of the original Myrsky –fighter, holes for the assembly bolts must be drilled in the spars. Assembly work on the final wing will take place only after the test wing has been finished and properly tested.

Avainsanat: aviation history, restoring, old aircraft, VL Myrsky II, MY-14