We are back in Gilroy California. Last spring I spent some time volunteering at the Wings of History Air Museum. See my blog for May 12, 2009, https://www.dinsmore-enterprises.com/20090512.html
At that time I was helping build a new wing for a Pietenpol, “Air Camper” that had landed in a plowed field after an engine failure. When I got back today the crew was still working on the wings for the Pietenpol. They have the fabric stretched over the left wing and it has been stretched drum tight and saturated with nitro dope.
Our task today was to finish stitching the fabric to the ribs of the wing. Two persons stand on opposite sides if the wing which is upturned in a cradle. The one person with a twelve inch needle and a long hank of waxed string starts by pushing the needle through one of the pre-marked and punched stitching holes in the fabric. The second person watches for the shadow of the needle and the prick of the point and guides the first person until the needle slides through the hole. You then pull through most of the string and slide the needle through the marked hole on the opposite side of the rib. Guided by prompts from the first person you try to stab the needle through the hole next to the starting point. The first person ties a special knot and leads to the next set of holes.
There are over thirty ribs on this wing and the tying stations are about every four inches, so you can see that there are hundreds of stitches that must be made. At first I was helping Vern and Todd doing the catching and returning from the top side of the wing. By the end of the day they had taught me to tie the knots so I could do either job.
I have a couple of photos on the web site, see www.dinsmore-enterprises.com/20091103.html
Today we welcome a new reader to our tribe. Sophia of Santa Clara.
And now to all our friends and relations across the country; Don’t forget to take time to have some fun.
Gary and Judy
Stitch on the Under Side of the Wing
