1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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Poncho73
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1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Poncho73 »

Guys as mentioned before I'm reskinning my 48 Rag Wing. If anyone has a 48, can you post a picture of the rear trailing edge strut area (lower wing skin) where it connects to the wing rear spar and the aileron bell crank inspection holes (lower skin). I'm trying to figure out a good way, going forward, to maintain the attach points and aileron bellcrank. Previous owner had small holes at the rear top strut and aileron. We needed to cut bigger holes to disconnect the cables and strut... Parts book show a rectangular inspection near the aileron bellcrank. Just looking for field experience...cheers
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Poncho73
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Poncho73 »

I guess I will reply to myself because haven't heard anything. I was on youtube and noted a metalized wing 170 and the aft strut upper attachment access hole was square/rectangle. Just looking for some thoughts and ideas where to place the inspection grommets prior to paint.

Thanks
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c170b53
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by c170b53 »

Sorry I wish I knew, but I'm woefully poorly educated in the early fabric wing. John Hess, present pres probably has the answer.
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GAHorn
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by GAHorn »

Duane Shockey is an excellent source also. HIs '48 airplane has won more "original" awards than any.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

gahorn wrote:Duane Shockey is an excellent source also. HIs '48 airplane has won more "original" awards than any.
Duane is a fine source. Cause his '48 has won so many awards does not necessarily reflect how original it was. Only that it was the judged the most original '48 at convention at the time of judging. Duane is not a computer guy and does not frequent these forums.

Dan Wood in GA would be my go to guy for '48 questions.
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GAHorn
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by GAHorn »

There's a reason I placed quotation-marks around "original". (Does anyone own a true "original"? ...especially a "ragwing" which has doubtlessly had several recoverings of the fabric surfaces? ...and any with linen? Even Steve Jacobsens 170A airplane is not a true "original". I don't know of any airplane Cessna ever produced which had it's radios hidden in a glove compartment.)
Duane is an A&P and an owner of one of the nicest examples and quite familiar with the intracasies of the '48. I've never known him to give answers if he doesn't know them. Dan is also doubtless knowledgeable about his own airplane, and OP only wants photographs so any '48 with the inspection grommets/covers should help.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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n2582d
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by n2582d »

There are a lot of members that don't regularly visit this website. Look in the directory and send an e-mail to members with ragwings. I'm guessing many would be glad to e-mail you a picture of what you're requesting. I also thought of the 120-140 guys but in comparing the IPC's the p/n's for the rectangular inspection plates I found that they don't match. They do have p/n 0422349 in common but that's just the round inspection covers. The ailerons are common between the 120/140/170 and the flaps between the 140 and 170. Here's some additional useless trivia: Originally Cessna said inspection holes weren't necessary for the 120-140 wings. They changed their minds in Service News Letter 39. The drawing from that letter may help you with the position of two inspection holes. Sorry I couldn't provide any useful info.
Service News Letter 11 (Click to Enlarge)
Service News Letter 11 (Click to Enlarge)
Service News Letter 39 (Click to Enlarge)
Service News Letter 39 (Click to Enlarge)
Last edited by n2582d on Tue Dec 05, 2017 6:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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DWood
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by DWood »

If anyone has a 48, can you post a picture of the rear trailing edge strut area (lower wing skin) where it connects to the wing rear spar and the aileron bell crank inspection holes (lower skin).
I can take pictures or measurements you need. Please email me at fly170 at gmail.com as it will be easier to communicate.
Thx,
Dan
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

gahorn wrote:There's a reason I placed quotation-marks around "original". (Does anyone own a true "original"? ...especially a "ragwing" which has doubtlessly had several recoverings of the fabric surfaces? ...and any with linen? Even Steve Jacobsens 170A airplane is not a true "original". I don't know of any airplane Cessna ever produced which had it's radios hidden in a glove compartment.)
Why George I'm glad you asked. Why yes we do have two members who own one of the most original '48 170s you will ever see. It is the one I took many pictures of a few years ago to post as documentation of originality for the '48 year posted on our forum. I believe this aircraft has about 400 original hours. And it did have the original fabric on the wings and interior. And those false radios Steve Jacobs has are complete in their aircraft.

One of the new owners is a friend of mine from a few employers back. He is telling me amazing stories how clean this aircraft is. Can you believe it looks like they will be reassembling the 400 hour engine with nothing more than a new gasket and ring set. And the fuselage and wings seem to be totally corrosion free. If only someone had not punched a hole through the fuselage with what looks like a hay fork while it sat in the barn for 60 years. Tom is replacing that panel.

I impressed upon them how original and how unordinary their aircraft is and they plan to return it as original as they can. Unfortunately the original interior material is just to rotted to last and would fall apart if they tried to clean it, so it will be replaced. I seem to remember Tom telling me he thought the original wing fabric may have punch tested good if he had tested it.

They expect this '48 to be airworthy next year.
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Poncho73
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Poncho73 »

...thanks all! ....I will send Mr Woods an email. My 48 sure has had a ton of "non-original" things done. George is right pretty tough to find anything original. anyway my goal is to get it close as possible.....with all of the new shinny stuff installed too. :D
n3833v
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by n3833v »

L wing aileron access.JPG
L wing flap spring access.JPG
wing access points
wing access points
R wing aileron access.JPG
Here are pictures of my wings covered in 2003 and the access holes.
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Poncho73
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Poncho73 »

Thanks, looks great. Where did you get the leading edge landing light?
n3833v
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by n3833v »

That was in when I bought the plane. I had all my restoration done in Hagerstown, MD after my ground loop. There are other reinforcements that can be cut but at this point I don,t need them.
John Hess
Past President 2018-2021
President 2016-2018, TIC170A
Vice President 2014-2016, TIC170A
Director 2005-2014, TIC170A
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Poncho73
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by Poncho73 »

OK I will likely just keep the retractable light but the Leading Light is more effective with respect to operational visibility. Now who rebuilds the old retractable light motor???
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n2582d
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Re: 1948 Rag Wing Inspection Holes

Post by n2582d »

Gary
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