Rookie Builder w/?'s on Stearman PT-17

[Marsh33]

Hey guy's... This is my first build and I was moving along just fine through the fuselage framing... Then I got to the wing framing....and I have come to a screeching halt. I have all of the ribs in place and it seems to be correct. My main question has to do with the spars. Are these also what were considered the stringers on the fuselage? My problem is the directions for this seem like jibberish to me as to where the spars /or stringers match up at the f5 ribs and then where else. Just confused or am I overthinking. Can anyone translate the directions for this in laymans terms?? I learn fast I just need to read it in more basic form then I'll be able to figure it out from there. Thanks and I don't mean to bug you guys with such basics, but, I guess I have to learn somewhere.

[supercruiser]

Hey Christian,
Welcome to the group. Don't worry about asking questions. Sometimes the answer eludes any of us. I've never built the Stearman so I can't answer your question directly. As far as terms go: The wing spars are usually on the bottom of the wing surface, running from wing root to wing tip, and typically are 1/8 by 3/16 inch dimension for these models. On the top of the wing, also running spanwise (wing root to wing tip), are 1/16 inch square stringers. Although, these could be called spars, particulary on the lighter, smaller models. There probably is someone here that has built the stearman that can help you. Can you post a photo of the section of the plans you need clarification?

[Marsh33]

Thanks for getting back so fast... I'll get that picture out A.S.A.P. If the spars are on the bottom that would make a lot of sense. I just wanted to be sure before I did anything stupid.

[Marsh33]

This is where I have left off.... Hope I did the pictures right. I'm new to posting pic's and I have no website.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welc ... mbJsxaMXQA

Christian

[John G. Jedinak]

Good looking pics.............Need to join Virtual Aerodrome and post there also..............Luck, JGJ

[supercruiser]

I had a look at the pics. Can't quite make out where F5 is. I'm looking at my SE5A plans. F5 ribs are on the top wing, outermost ribs. My F6 ribs are adjacent the curved wing tip. (By the way, one of the toughest parts of this is learning the terminology.) Your model may be different, however, the SE5A spars butt directly against the inside edge of the curved wingtip, E2 in my case.
The top stringers are cut at an angle and go from the top of F6 (might be your F5) to the outstide edge of E2. The spars and stringers do not meet together.
Typical build sequence is to pin the spars to the plans. then the leading and trailing edges and then glue/pin the ribs in place. This help??? Still got questions??? I know of someone who has built this model, maybe I can get him to post an answer.
By the way, your workmanship looks excellent. Fuselage looks straight and true.

[Marsh33]

I guess the question is... where do these stringers butt up...or does it not matter especially if this is for display. Should I just do simple fabrication or is there a pattern? The 1/16 stringers are not long enough to meet up with the plans version which states that they butt up twice but, that cant be possible there has to be 3 spots where they butt up with the length of the stringers I recieved in the kit. Should I just go with it and improvise?

[Marsh33]

Thank you Supercruiser!!!! I was replying while you were... and didnt get your message till a second ago. That helps a lot. i'll work with it and see what happens. I definately agree with you on myself having to get the terminolgy down. Thanks again!