Hi Frank!
It turned out that my cross-tube was certainly in the ball-park, but I
guess
all the combined dimensions between the tube, the flaps, etc. didn't
allow
it to quite reach all the way. For certain, that is a good idea to have
Europa measure the replacement, to verify it is at least as long as the
one
you have, and it can be cut down to size.
It's your touch=E9 on the line with regards to replacement. Not sure how
far
back the kink is after the re-bend, but maybe you can clamp the
non-kinked
side into the v-blocks, and slightly test-bend the tube on the kinked
side
(in the direction that the kink wants to bend the tube) and compare it
to
the non-kinked side. Not a permanent bend of course, just within the
spring
of the tube. If there is any loss of strength, the kinked side would
bend
easier. If it does, then I'd throw it out and go with new, because a
tight-fitting strengthening tube would never fit over the kink..and
certainly not on a bend.
Just my .02.
Greg
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Frank
Mycroft
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 4:48 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Flap cross tube
Hi Greg
My flap cross tube, including the inserts is 44 7/8". It is off a
classic
Mono serial 72. The reason that I know this is because it is sitting on
my
desk, and having been slightly bent I am just about to order a new one.
Now
I will check with Europa to ensure that they send me one of the same
length.
All this started when I left the runway into very soft ground (a turnip
patch - what we call swedes, or in Scotland 'neeps') and wrecked the
prop.
I didn't notice the problem until I found that there was a tendency to
fly
right wing low and examination showed that the port aileron was not
retracting fully and this was traced to the FL15 being bent back by
about
1/4"at the end. I straightened it by clamping in V-blocks and pulling
(hard) on the other end but found that, though straight, there was still
a
slight kink in the tube on the inside of the former bend so decided to
order
a new one. I now wonder if that is really necessary. What does anyone
think?
Frank Mycroft G-BWYD
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