Hatz Biplane Association

I am recovering my wings. Numerous dents in lower wing leading edge so deciding to replace. The current covering is .030 (pretty stiff). My local aircraft supply has .016 and .020 they regularly sell for leading edge. Aircraft spruce sells .016 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/m ... 330800.php. Looking for opinions on which thickness to use. I think the current is overkill but given it is dented, concerned about replacing with less thickness. I do not have original plans so not aware of what was original design.

Hi Ron,
I am pretty sure the plans call for .020. Is it possible that your le's were a soft grade of al? 2024 is pretty dent resistant @ .020".
Al

I used 0.020" 2024 for my leading edge.
I used ceconite and dope which lead me to cover the leading edge aluminum with the "quilt batting" material sold by Stits... oops... Poly Fiber. Seems to have worked well.

Jeff Moore

Al and Jeff,

Thanks. Think I will go with the .020. The dents were imposed on my Hatz when I had a close encounter with 8 foot corn when I was learning to fly it in a very tight grass strip. The stalks and that stuff is like trees.

Ron