Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber reinforced tubular member having flanges at opposite ends thereof includes the steps of applying a winding including a plurality of fiber strands in an uncured curable matrix to a core element having a pair of spaced outwardly extending spreader elements thereon so as to form a central winding portion and a pair of conical winding portions on the core element; applying a forming tool to the winding between the spreader elements, the forming tool having a tubular inner surface, opposite outwardly extending end faces and transition edges therebetween; applying resilient outward pressure to the winding so as to urge the winding against the forming tool along the transition edges; uniformly applying the fiber from the conical portions of the winding to the end faces of the forming too; and curing the matrix.