FW 190 Flap Fix (VF115)
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 7:44 pm
I had posted this some time ago, but new questions about it have been asked....so I'm reposting in a clean thread.
The flaps on all of the 21C FW 190D's was advertised as being lowerable....not true. All the control surfaces are tightly connected by "T" pins from the control into the wing (or tail) surface. They are so tight that they allow very little if any travel. Since I could get to the flap area easily, I decided to change all that. Some of the following pictures show the wing halves totally seperated...you DO NOT have to do that for this modification.
First, seperate the main wing from the fuselage. The wing halves along the trailing edge are somewhat loose. Take something thin (Exacto knife blade) and pry carefully around the flap area where the wing halves come together. There are three "T" pieces attaching the flap to the wing. Pull out on the flap as you pry...and don't worry if they break. You're only going to cut them off anyway.
Once the flap is out and you've trimmed those pieces off, drill a hole about 1/4 inch into the forward (thickest) part of the flap on both sides big enough for a small piece of brass rod or tubing you will superglue into them. These are the "hinges" on both side of the flap. Along the opening of the flap recess, carve "U" shaped openings for the brass to ride in. When the flap is placed back into the opening, it should look like this.
and......
Because of the extra room at the hinge line you've created, the flaps will now open and close normally. Be carefull not to cut too much away when you carve those "U" shaped openings. Take your time and carve a little at a time. When done, this is what you should have...
The flaps on all of the 21C FW 190D's was advertised as being lowerable....not true. All the control surfaces are tightly connected by "T" pins from the control into the wing (or tail) surface. They are so tight that they allow very little if any travel. Since I could get to the flap area easily, I decided to change all that. Some of the following pictures show the wing halves totally seperated...you DO NOT have to do that for this modification.
First, seperate the main wing from the fuselage. The wing halves along the trailing edge are somewhat loose. Take something thin (Exacto knife blade) and pry carefully around the flap area where the wing halves come together. There are three "T" pieces attaching the flap to the wing. Pull out on the flap as you pry...and don't worry if they break. You're only going to cut them off anyway.
Once the flap is out and you've trimmed those pieces off, drill a hole about 1/4 inch into the forward (thickest) part of the flap on both sides big enough for a small piece of brass rod or tubing you will superglue into them. These are the "hinges" on both side of the flap. Along the opening of the flap recess, carve "U" shaped openings for the brass to ride in. When the flap is placed back into the opening, it should look like this.
and......
Because of the extra room at the hinge line you've created, the flaps will now open and close normally. Be carefull not to cut too much away when you carve those "U" shaped openings. Take your time and carve a little at a time. When done, this is what you should have...
