Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernie Rogers
I started working on the wing within a few months after buying the car in 2003. I spent a few weeks reading all the journal articles I could find on the connection between rear shape and drag. From those, I concluded that I should have a "shelf" about equal in path length to the distance down from the top. I got a photo of the assembly into this email. I will have to come back with photos of parts after I figure out how to do it.
Ernie
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First picture is of bottom edge of a winglet. The winglet is supported by a backet toward the front, with two screws holding it from the bottom. The winglets also rest on the fenders for additional support. The winglet has a felt pad at the contact area, and the fender has a patch of clear plastic sheet to prevent scuffing of the paint.
Second picture shows the way the bracket is secured from beneath by screws.
Third picture shows a small gap between the leading edge of the wing and the car surface. The intended purpose of the gap is to suck out a separation bubble that could form there. The gap also serves to protect the car paint.
The middle part of the wing is made from class cloth and epoxy resin over a foam core, with some paper and glue between. Each end of it includes one inch thick plywood with threaded inserts. Winglets have matching through holes for countersunk flat-head allen screws. The winglets were fashioned from pattern-grade birch plywood.
Assembly involves screwing the winglets in place, then inserting the center section between. The complete assembly captures the edges of the hatch so the attachment is very secure. Time to put on or take off is about five to ten minutes. Nothing shows on the exterior when the wing is off except the clear plastic patches that protect the paint.