Re: Andrews rib

From: Jim Richmond <indoorflyer_at_msn.com>
Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2008 21:56:21 -0000

--- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "John Kagan"
<john_kagan_at_...> wrote:
>
> --- In Indoor_Construction_at_yahoogroups.com, "Mark" <f1diddler@>
> wrote:
> >
> > I hear J Richmond and L Coslick use bent
> > ribs, at least for the lightweights (hobbyshopper, etc.)
>
> A few years ago I saw one of Jim's wings looking pretty flat. When
it
> was pointed out to him he said, "Oh yeah...heh heh" and bent it
back to
> shape. Not that it seemed to matter - it flew great both ways.
>
The subjects of bent and "Andrews" rib types keeps coming up and I
would like to set the record straight regarding my involvement.
Except for an occasional experiment I have not used bent ribs on
models since 1976 when the extreme humidity of Cardington caused my
F1D bent ribs to remember their original flat shape.

Although I have no objection to most names people assign to model
parts, the term "Andrews rib" is one that gets under my skin. Pete
was a good guy and a personal friend and during our long drive across
europe enroute to the 1970 world championship many things were
discussed including my use of banana-shaped compression ribs. He
wanted to know if they worked satisfactorily and I said I found them
to be as good as built-up ribs and a lot easier to make. Then in 1972
he won the world champs using compression ribs of this type. He left
his plane with the British who drew it up including a separate sketch
of the banana-shaped compression ribs which they thought were very
unique. These were published in the Feb 1973 issue of IN&V. In the
Sept. 1970 issue of IN&V there is a drawing of my cabin model which
had won the past two Nats and it clearly shows the "Andrews" type
compression ribs I was using at that time.

I think it is a great idea to honor those who created useful designs
by hanging their name on them. It's my understanding that Pete came
up with the cabane idea for bracing-if so, that could be the "Andrews
cabane".
Received on Wed Apr 02 2008 - 15:00:31 CEST

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