Workshop Build-along: Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker Triplane – Attaching the Middle Wing

The next step in assembly all the parts of the Triplane project is to attach the middle wing to the fuselage. This is a critical step in the overall alignment of the finished model, so you really need to take your time and make sure everything is staight, square and aligned properly. The other two wings will be aligned and adjusted using the middle wing as the main reference.

So, as shown above, the first step is to assemble the main parts for the wing crutch. This part is built directly on top of the fuselage and to compensate for the thickness of the covering which will be applied later on, two laters of tape should be applied in several places under the crutch. Here you see the crutch floor which is made of lite-ply. You first place the floor over the plans and then transfer all the guide lines for the formers and incidence ribs that will be attached later.

The next step (above) is to align the front 3 formers so their tops are flush and the drill the 3/8-inch holes for the wing hold-down dowels.

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