dsahling Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 So I'm working on a highly modified/detailed Tamiya F-15C and I added rivets to the whole fuselage, wings, etc. I have some photos of the Great Wall Hobby F-15C both the actual sprues and CAD images that show some images on the inboard section of the "saw tooth" section of the horizontal stabilators with rivet/screw detail (the part closest to the fuselage). I have the Jake Melampy Eagle book that confirms this on the bottom of the stabilizer but no photos close up enough to tell from the upper surface. I was hoping some former F-15C Eagle mechanics, crew chiefs, or pilots might be able to confirm or deny the presence of rivets or screws on this part? Thanks Dan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted November 11, 2017 Share Posted November 11, 2017 IIRC the Horz Stabs on the Eagle were interchangeable, therefore the bottom could very well be the top you were looking at. I don't think there were any major differences from top to bottom, if there were it was very subtle. Hopefully someone will be able to confirm or educate us on the differences. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aeronca1121 Posted November 12, 2017 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Identical Top toBottom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoeingDriver Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 Now that I can finally respond...that rivet pattern goes from the top of the leading edge and wraps to the bottom. Fun fact...it’s the only part of the stab that’s made from aluminum & is hollow inside w/just the ribs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoeingDriver Posted November 13, 2017 Share Posted November 13, 2017 On 11/11/2017 at 7:41 AM, AlienFrogModeller said: IIRC the Horz Stabs on the Eagle were interchangeable, therefore the bottom could very well be the top you were looking at. I don't think there were any major differences from top to bottom, if there were it was very subtle. Hopefully someone will be able to confirm or educate us on the differences. True statement. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ol Crew Dog Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Stabs are interchangeable from left to right, so top , bottom could be either. As to the rivets, you would have them on a repair stab not factory fresh. You will find 1” hi-torque screws in the torque box at the pivot point. Rivets , cherry max can be found on depot repairs of the stab especilly when the honey comb areas are found to be delaminating. Factory fresh jets are flush riveted covered with enough paint to make them unnoticeable, only repair areas of the aircraft depending on the TO would be cherry riveted but flush riveting is the norm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 On 11/11/2017 at 7:41 AM, AlienFrogModeller said: IIRC the Horz Stabs on the Eagle were interchangeable, Same for Hornets & Super Hornets? (that's a question) I know they are also interchangeable on the Viper... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoeingDriver Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 3 hours ago, Ol Crew Dog said: Stabs are interchangeable from left to right, so top , bottom could be either. As to the rivets, you would have them on a repair stab not factory fresh. You will find 1” hi-torque screws in the torque box at the pivot point. Rivets , cherry max can be found on depot repairs of the stab especilly when the honey comb areas are found to be delaminating. Factory fresh jets are flush riveted covered with enough paint to make them unnoticeable, only repair areas of the aircraft depending on the TO would be cherry riveted but flush riveting is the norm. No more flush rivets. Grid-Lock stabs now. The honeycomb is no longer in use either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlienFrogModeller Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 6 hours ago, habu2 said: Same for Hornets & Super Hornets? (that's a question) I know they are also interchangeable on the Viper... Legacy Hornets, yes.I can't speak on behalf of SH. But it would be inline if they were interchangeable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael A. Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 In the late 1980s the PACAF Public Affairs Office released a photo of an Okinawa based F-15 that showed the bottom of the aircraft. One of the stabilizers actually had the wing-walk markings on the bottom which was interesting to see once you figured out what was actually going on. They are interchangeable as previously stated and not necessarily repainted immediately. Michael A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 35 minutes ago, Michael A. said: In the late 1980s the PACAF Public Affairs Office released a photo of an Okinawa based F-15 that showed the bottom of the aircraft. One of the stabilizers actually had the wing-walk markings on the bottom which was interesting to see once you figured out what was actually going on. Probably a 44 TFS jet. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ol Crew Dog Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 13 hours ago, BoeingDriver said: No more flush rivets. Grid-Lock stabs now. The honeycomb is no longer in use either. I know before I retired the new Es came in with new composite speedbrake and gear doors. After being On the F-35 R&D and production program the tech is a bit archaic but still my 1st love! Gridlock that explains the sealant. Thanx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 For those of us that are among the uninitiated, could you please explain what "Gridlock" is? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoeingDriver Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 7 hours ago, Mstor said: For those of us that are among the uninitiated, could you please explain what "Gridlock" is? Lol. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/grid-lock-offers-safety-gain-on-ageing-f-15s-184857/ F-15's were notorious for having flight control surfaces start to come apart in flight because of the water entrapment within the honeycomb material. Water would seep in from rain and condensation to become trapped in those surfaces (ailerons, flaps, rudders, speed brakes, and wingtips) freeze, melt, freeze and the cycle would repeat until structural failure. The horizontal stabs are divided into three sections; the forward and aft sections (honeycomb) and the center made from composites that would kill you if inhaled. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Fascinating. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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