SBD Tail Fin Rebuild Recap:
Pioneer Aero has made considerable progress with the restoration of our SBD’s tail fin in recent weeks. For those keeping track, they began working on this component, also known as a vertical stabilizer, back in October last year. While much of B-22's fin structure proved beyond repair, Pioneer did salvage several significant original parts from a donor airframe. Pioneer remanufactured the remaining parts, but initiated the reassembly process prior to their completion, using original components as a guide.
Tail Fin Reassembly Update:
William Lowen is the Pioneer engineer most responsible for rebuilding the SBD's tail fin. This endeavor demanded significant skills, not just for restoration/remanufacturing abilities required, but also in determining the correct reassembly order. Certain parts, once riveted together, will eliminate access to the reverse sides of others before they can be fitted. Such access is essential for bucking any rivets connecting those parts together, of course.
Understanding the correct reassembly sequence is therefore vital, but such details are rarely recorded in available WWII-era manufacturing drawings. As a result, an engineer's critical thinking skills are of paramount importance in the restoration process. Lowen identified an effective reassembly strategy, which the images in this article will reveal.
Following trial-fitting, each element of the SBD’s tail fin received a top coat of green paint before it was riveted together. The SBD's fin is very close to completion now. The rear spar and interconnecting skin sections were the only major components awaiting fitting at the time of writing.
The upper in with the front spar and its trailing ribs fitted. The skins are in the process of being riveted in place. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
Another view inside the fin structure looking towards the leading edge from where the rear spar will be located. The stringers in this area are now all fitted and have just received a final coat of paint. The front spar is due for fitting next. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
The tail fin’s right side with its upper skin sections riveted in place as far aft as the rear spar. The lower skin sections have been final-fitted, and only await a coat of green paint on their internal faces before they can be riveted in place. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view inside the upper portion of the SBD's vertical stabilizer, which now has all of its structure, barring the rear spar, riveted in place. The rear spar itself will soon be riveted to the exposed faces of the interior ribs and the vertical line of holes in each skin panel as shown in this photograph. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
