Fairchild Club Forum

'John, I am giving a talk on woodwork to our Confederate Air Force unit
on Saturday. We operate PT-19's. I would like to know:

l. Was the poor wood longevity of the Aeronica manufactured PT,s due to
the type of glue used or perhaps the finish varnish or some other
reason?

2. What type of glues and finishes were used by the various
manufacturers?

3. Did the inside of the spar box have any protective coating?

4. What type of glue are the members using these days that is acceptable
to the FAA?

Would appreciate any information any of you have.

Cliff McCluney
Kerens, TX.'

'In a message dated 3/7/01 12:13:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,
cliffmccluney@webtv.net writes:

>
Cliff, I know that you are waiting for a response from John, but I have
two cents to add.
The old birds used Casein adhesive which deteriorates over the years,
after exposure to moisture in the air and temperature variations. AC
43.13-1B.
I don't know for sure about the PT-19 but the Bellanica Viking's wooden
wings were soaked in a vat of wood preserver after assembly. The Fairchild
24's had a good coat of Spar Varnish. Ruth Spencer, Aircraft Woodwork. She
also recommends Weldwood Resin glue due to it's ease of use, water cleanup
and long pot life but the FAA doesn't like it. They like
Resorcinol-formaldehyde resin. AC 43.13-1B.
Flew down south with wings of cotton, old times there are not forgotten,
fly around, fly around, fly around, Dixie Land! Carl'

'Carl, thanks for the reply. I hope others will respond. I would like
to visit the Belanca factory and learn from them sometime. Thanks for
your input.

Regards,

Cliff McCluney
Kerens, Tx.'