Today I’m getting back to doing a bit more work on the rudder. In the picture below, you will see one of many new ribs that I made. The parts that have primer are the parts I originally worked with that I didn’t previously screw up.
With rib 4200-17 in place, I then added the new 4200-6 rib.
As the assembly progressed I made a spacer block to ensure that I get the 2.5″ spacing required for the spacer ribs that run vertically among the main rudder ribs. As shown in the photo below, the spacer works perfectly!
To get these pieces in place, while using the spacer block, I get the rib centered and leveled. Then I draw a reference line.
On the end of the rib, I mark the edge distance for proper rivet spacing.
The rib is then drilled at the proper location, as indicated.
Then I put the spacer block in place. Here you can also see the previously referred to reference line.
Next, I removed rib 4200-6 so that I have access to drill match drill the 4200-19 vertical rib to the 4200-7 main rib.
The photo above shows the 4200-19 rib drilled and clecoed in place.
Looking at my progress for today, I’m really happy with what I see. The rudder is once again taking shape! My next steps are to make the 4200-20 rib, and then continue again from there.
Please comment, I love to hear from my readers. Thanks again for coming along for this ride, you make my work worthwhile.
Hi Mike,
Fantastic website, I’m interested in where you got the fuselage and where/how you’re tracking down the parts for the S-51. I’ve been following the S-51 for a long time, and hope to build one someday. It’s great to see a site/build log of one.
thanks!
Lee
Hi Lee,
Thanks for your feedback and comments. I’ve been picking up S-51 parts since the early 2000’s anywhere I could, that being said lots of parts came from High Performance Aircraft (HAPI) in the Czech Rep.(HPAI is the company that made the kits for Stewart 51, unfortunately they closed their doors a few years back). It wasn’t until about 2012 or so that I had enough parts to begin building at a point where I felt that I had enough parts to be successful. Stewart 51 Partner LLC. currently owns all rights to the S-51 and is actively working to get the kits back into production.
Do you have a set of S-51 main landing gear wheels? If not, I have an extra set and will sell them to you for $500 plus shipping. That is exactly how much I bought them for. BTW, what parts do you still need? How much of the kit/parts have you bought? Have you bought any parts from Bill Hudgens (current S-51 company owner.) Are you on the S-51 builder website/e-mail group? Sorry, but you’re not a name I recognize. If you want the wheels, make sure you include something S-51 related in your e-mail title so I won’t delete your e-mail. Good luck with your build!
Hi Dan,
Thanks for contacting me. I’ll send you a private message through the builders group email.