Common Methods of Joining Wing Panels
There are many ways that wings may join together. Some
are permanently joined and others break down into two or more panels.
Multiple panels that are permanently joined into a single wing are one
piece-wings. Two or more piece wings can be disassembled and are most
commonly used with large model airplanes to simplify handling and
transportation.
Permanent Joins
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Butt-joined and wrapped with
fiberglass tape adhered with epoxy or fiberglass resin.
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Butt-joined with the addition
of one or more dihedral braces extending into each panel.
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Combination of both methods
above.
Two-Piece Wings
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Tubes built into wings
with another tube or rod going through the fuselage into the wing tubes.
The wing panels are usually bolted to the fuselage from the inside to
prevent the panels from sliding off in flight.
-
Same as above, but uses a
removable blade or tongue made of metal, plywood or carbon fiber.
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Butt-joined with the addition
of one or more dihedral braces extending through the center panel into each
outer panel.
-
Wing panels have stubs glued
into the root that engage holes in the fuselage sides. This method uses
functional flying wires to hold the wing in place as well as absorb
flight and landing loads.
Wings can have as many pieces as necessary. Three-piece wings
are the next most common after one and two-piece varieties. A three
piece wing usually has a short center section that bolts to the
wing saddle
or is permanently
glued to the fuselage. The outer panels attach to
the center using one of the two-piece methods above.
One piece wings are almost always lighter than multi-piece wings.
The only exception to this may be a two-piece wing having functional flying
wires which are lightweight but also have significant drag.
Almost all
radio control trainer wings are built in two panels and then joined
permanently with a dihedral brace.
The example in this article does not use a brace, but most of the steps will
still apply — particularly fitting the two panels together.
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