Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I've had AN bolts installed for the better part of 20 years with no problems. I eliminated the latches and hardware and opted for the bolts. It take about 20 minutes to remove the wings. As for using different pins I would use caution as these are what I call "jesus" bolts and when they break you will say Jesus the wings just came off.

The pin for the S-18 wing is tapered . I had to "polish" mine down to get a nice snug fit . Absolutely no play at all in the wing . Wait for it , wait for it...BOOM !

RB

They're tapered at the tip only for ease of insertion, otherwise they're not tapered. They go into a straight, non-tapered hole (as designed). Dick's talking about a true tapered pin. Just sayin' Rich... not trying to nit-pick. BEEP!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

"You are correct Sir ! " Tapered at the tip it is ! It does make inserting the pins easier ! BEEP/BOOM ! I guess when I said polish , I was talking about the "non tapered" portion of the pin . The straight section . The part that fits snug into the wing fittings . The part that requires a small tool to insert the pin into the fittings . Mine fit so snug I even have them labeled "top Left" , "bottom left." "Top right" , "Bottom right." Did I leave anything out Sir John ! Just kidding . Glad you pointed out the errors of my noodle !

RB

I like that John lets try this, Beep,Boom,Boom,Beep,Beep Boom, least now we have a little varity but I haven't completely mastered Boom!! Yet. Dan

Wait a minute ! I invented the BEEP/BOOM ! I also invented the internet , the telephone and Hot Pockets !

RB

Pow!! Beep! Boom Boom!! Agreed, those pins are snug, gotta use the puller to get em out and in, gottem coated with a light sheen of grease, Pow!!, My puller is also used as a Pin driver,used to pull the wings quite offen and nothing ever lossened up, Good design Boom!.......................Pow!.......Beep beep !!

This is an old thread, but does anyone know of a video that exists showing the process of pulling pins/folding wings? I think I have read enough and look at enough pics to understand it but a video would sure make me wanna . . . beep and pow!

If there is one out there or someone makes one please share!

Rob
Newb - just purchased a S-18 project

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Rob
RV-3 SN 45 (project)
S-18 SN 46 (build in progress)
RV-6A SN 24654 (flying)
KEWK

Hey Folks,
A friend and I are trying to fold the wing on my S18, and we can't get it to work. If the pivot tube is pulled all the way out, the nut on the through bolt goes into the slot in part 226-1. That puts the wing almost in its flying position and it can't be pivoted nose up. If the pivot tube is pushed partially inboard, there's not enough room for the wing to be swung back. So what's the purpose of the slot in 226-1?
I've double checked how I mounted the pivot tube supports, and they seem to be correct according to drawing 102.
Has anyone else run into this problem? What's the solution? I'm thinking maybe rotate the through bolt about 90 degrees. That would require an inspection hole in the bottom of the inner wing.
Thanks,
Pancho

The slot in 226-1 is to allow the outer wing panel to be remove from the aircraft, the leading edge needs to be lowered to allow the nut to pass through the slot.

The wing joint assembly is shown on drawing 102R. When folding the wing slide the outer wing panel out with the panel in alignment with the inner panel when it stops then rotate the leading edge up 90 degs then rotate the panel aft until parallel with the fuselage.

Here's the best image I have of the wing folded.

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

The right wing on My T-18C had excessive pin clearance that you could feel when you picked up on the wing tip. Cubes had some oversized pins in stock that I was able to polish down to a close tolerance fit with the holes in my wing fittings, which resulted in no more play. The new supply company may still have some of those. Cubes would probably know. I can't remember what the oversize was, but it worked perfectly. Good Luck!

If you pull the wing straight out, the nut should NOT go into the slot. That is the whole purpose of the nut… to keep the wing from coming off. You may have the left pivot on the right wing etc.
Like Bruce stated, the wing should have to be rotated to line the nut up with the slot.
Cubes