Winter wrinkles?

[JackC]

Is this cause for concern?

Had some of this prior as well, recovered under a year ago

 

[Bruce]

First look I’m gonna say yes! But inspecting is the real answer hope u have a Boarascope to get a good look at all the structure. How cold was it?

 

[JackC]

High 20f

zero hard hits on the tail, recovered and aft fuse rebuilt under a year ago

 

[JackC]

Other side

 

[donv]

I've had this. It was no big deal-- we used a hair dryer on it (in accordance with instructions from American Champion) and it smoothed out. If it doesn't smooth out, or you can feel some problems with the underlying structure, that's a different story.

 

[Bob Turner]

That is really wrinkled. Go in there and look around - sometimes rebuilding weakens the old tubes where the new stuff joins.

 

[JackC]

Took a look with our APIA buddy, everything looks fine, he also recommended heating it from the inside.

another point he brought up was that there might have been some adhesive on some of the stringers too

 

[Slipinonfinal]

In the North Country for citabria's that is common. Be careful not to shrink it too much, take your time. I agree with shrink up on the inside with possible less affect on paint on out side. Remember some large hair dryer's can get very hot. While you are in there look around and at the small diameter horizontal cross over tube just in front of the tail post and structure where the forward tail spring bolt goes through. Corrosion on these aircraft very often happens at this location first and the lower longerons second.

Good Luck, Brian

 

[JackC]

In the North Country for citabria's that is common. Be careful not to shrink it too much, take your time. I agree with shrink up on the inside with possible less affect on paint on out side. Remember some large hair dryer's can get very hot. While you are in there look around and at the small diameter horizontal cross over tube just in front of the tail post and structure where the forward tail spring bolt goes through. Corrosion on these aircraft very often happens at this location first and the lower longerons second.

Good Luck, Brian

would it be better to just leave it alone?

here is what was done on the fuse

 

[Slipinonfinal]

Pull it into a 65 to 70 deg hanger then re-evaluate. Obviously your airframe is in a corrected condition.

Brian

 

[JackC]

Thanks

 

[JackC]

Thought I’d update this.

When I got back into town after being in the south for winter, the temps have been ranging from 50-80f for a month+ now, the fabric/paint looks perfect again and the wrinkles are gone

 

[Bartman]

That’s what I like to hear! Have a nice, safe flying season