Rob Phillis

I subsequently made a very simple bending jig from chipboard which consists of several "ribs" cut to a shape that is smaller than the profile of the flap/aileron ribs. Thus when the ply is formed around this it is over-bent and with a bit of practice the degree of over bending can be adjusted to give the correct shape after springback.

The other point to note is that a better result is achieved if you only wet the portion of the ply that is to be bent.

Soaking the entire skin causes depressions in the relatively flat areas on top of the flap/aileron between the ribs.

Here's the skin bent and dried.

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