Need bows and rib '68 Safari

[DFlores]

Can you help me find bows to put into my bowless ceiling?
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f192...und-94384.html

I will be traveling from Texas to New York in August, can possibly pickup.

[Lance M]

David,
I have a '69 Sovereign that you may be able to get some ribs from. They should be close at least. I don't have it at my shop yet. It is out in the woods.

[DFlores]

Originally Posted by Top

David,
I have a '69 Sovereign that you may be able to get some ribs from. They should be close at least. I don't have it at my shop yet. It is out in the woods.

Great, just let me know where and when.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Map_man

Great, just let me know where and when.

The main bows on 1969 Airstreams are not the same as those on a 1968 trailer.

I will post the difference when I get to the office.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Map_man

Can you help me find bows to put into my bowless ceiling?
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f192...und-94384.html

I will be traveling from Texas to New York in August, can possibly pickup.

1968 and older main bows are "C" shaped and are 1 1/2 inches thick.

1969 and newer main bows are "S" shaped and are 1 3/4 inches thick.

The shape doesn't matter, but the thickness does.

Many years ago, Airstream sold all of the 1968 and older sheet metal parts to Inland RV Center.

Andy

[DFlores]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

1968 and older main bows are "C" shaped and are 1 1/2 inches thick.

1969 and newer main bows are "S" shaped and are 1 3/4 inches thick.

The shape doesn't matter, but the thickness does.

Many years ago, Airstream sold all of the 1968 and older sheet metal parts to Inland RV Center.

Andy

Once you get to the office, see if you have any to fit. The redesign will require the center 20" of 4 bows and 2- 12' ribs running fore and aft. The ribs currently in place are sheet metal and not very structural.

I was thinking that with the new ribs running the length the existing bows up from the wall can be riveted with clip angles to new ribs, then the 4 new bows can be riveted accross between new ribs and the new bows would not have to line up with existing bows coming up from walls. Two of the new bows would create framing for air conditioner.

What do y'all think?

[Lance M]

I don't think anyone said they were the same. That doesn't mean that a small section from a 69 won't work in a 68. Shall I get out my general aircraft repair manual and show you how it can be done? I'm sure the manuals we use to fix aircraft will more than suffice to fix a roof in a travel trailer.

[DFlores]

Originally Posted by Top

I don't think anyone said they were the same. That doesn't mean that a small section from a 69 won't work in a 68. Shall I get out my general aircraft repair manual and show you how it can be done? I'm sure the manuals we use to fix aircraft will more than suffice to fix a roof in a travel trailer.

Lance,
Does my repair idea fit the guidelines in the manual?

I am thinking of a repair like one that would be done in house framing.

[Lance M]

Everything you ever wanted to know about Army aircraft sheet metal repair. I didn't write any of this. Nor did I buy any of this. Nor do I sell any of this. Just good helpful information.
TM_1-1500-204-23-10.pdf

[rumrunner]

Just curious- would the S shaped ribs be stronger then the C shaped?
I seem to rember that when Kip added cross braces in his GT they were .060 and S shaped. Guess I should have taken more pics when I was inside.
tim

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by rumrunner

Just curious- would the S shaped ribs be stronger then the C shaped?
I seem to rember that when Kip added cross braces in his GT they were .060 and S shaped. Guess I should have taken more pics when I was inside.
tim

Assuming the same thickness, the strength would be the same.

But, the "S" shaped main bows make it considerably easier to buck rivet, since nothing would be in the way, as it is with the "C" shaped main bows.

Andy

[195Pilot]

Get a copy of the FAA, AC 43-13A-B . This is the Bible of aircraft sheet metal repair. I think it's online at FAA: Home .Good reading and has everything from radial engine to driving rivets.
Good Luck,
Jack

[Aerowood]

here's the AC.43.13 pdf