(Last updated 07 June 2009)
You will need a cradle to support the wings once removed.
Wing Support Cradle (later shortened by 8")
Wing Folding
1. Fuel less than 1/4 full (or buy 2 non venting caps for storage use only) Note if the fuel is seen in the sight gauge, there is TOO MUCH!
2. Disconnect Elevator drive
3. Disconnect lower tailplane bracing and fold up tailplanes, tying them together using packing between them and the vertical stabiliser.
Tail folded, showing wing cradle (which was later shortened.)
4. Remove the side plates under the wings that butt up against the cockpit.
5. Disconnect aileron drive in cockpit
6. Fold jury strut to strut. Note on the later models, lower the flaps to get to the rear bolt, and do this on both wings at this point. When the bolts have been removed, raise the flaps.
8. Remove strut. If you are doing this on your own, you will need a wing support.
9. Remove front pin, move wing back so it just clears wing cuff and then lower about 5 or 6 inches so end of flap misses fuselage side. Continue to swing wing back and lower l/e at same time
Wings folded, strut to be removed
Wing Unfolding
Note: This technique requires TWO people. I have not found a safe method of unfolding the wings with one person at the moment. It can be done, but I have still to find out how.
1. Attach the strut assembly to the fuselage with the pin and safety clip
2. Lift one wing off the cradle and swing it so that it is horizontal.
3. Swing the wing towards the front of the aircraft ensuring that the cockpit perspex tucks underneath the Z strips on the top of the wing.
4. While someone is supporting the wing, locate the leading edge onto fuselage socket and put in the pin.
5. Lift the strut assembly up and connect it to the wing to support it, making sure the jury strut is in the correct position in the wing before putting the bolts in the end of the strut!
6. Repeat the previous steps with the other wing. After this, you can do all the next steps solo.
7. Lower the flaps and bolt the jury strut to the wing.
8. In the cockpit, connect up the Aileron tubes and put the safety clips in the pins on the aileron tubes and the pins that go through the front spar. Check the ailerons and flaps work correctly and in the correct sense.
9. Attach the side plates under the wings that butt up against the cockpit.
10. Fold down the tailplanes and reconnect the lower tailplane bracing wires.
11. Reconnect the elevator horn connections.
12. Check there are no bolts or screws left in the container and do a visual walk around to check that all the safety pins are in and all the moving surfaces are free and working correctly.
