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-   -   RV-7 Z-EDD, Zimbabwe (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=109734)

VPYVO 09-30-2016 05:05 PM

Zakanaka
 
Hi Ed,
Looks good. Very good. Looks like the Zimbo VAF guys are going strong. Any idea of how many RV's flying and being built by the intrepids in Zim?
Cheers Rob (ex MFC and Air Zim)

Z-EDD 10-01-2016 09:32 AM

Thanks for all the comments. I need to get some air under the eflite RV's wings sometime, amazing how old hobbies fall away when you get into this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VPYVO (Post 1115561)
Hi Ed,
Looks good. Very good. Looks like the Zimbo VAF guys are going strong. Any idea of how many RV's flying and being built by the intrepids in Zim?
Cheers Rob (ex MFC and Air Zim)


Hi Rob. Flying RV's have multiplied to about 6 I believe. Most recent additions were brought in flying or nearly flying. Another 4 are under construction that I know of. Should have a full squadron soon!

Z-EDD 10-29-2016 07:19 AM

Conical bends
 
IMG_0803 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

This gap is due to poor positioning of F-623. Also note the edge distance problem on the aft most hole. More care is required with positioning F-623, wish I could start over. Probably would be better to drill it just before making the conical bends.

IMG_0804 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Instructions don't mention this either, but you need to bend these tabs up to fit flush
IMG_0814 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Z-EDD 10-29-2016 07:25 AM

Starting the forward fuselage
 
IMG_0815 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0816 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0817 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0818 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0827 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Z-EDD 10-29-2016 07:29 AM

IMG_0822 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0823 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0819 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0820 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr[url=https://flic.kr/p/YTmXQh]

Z-EDD 10-29-2016 07:40 AM

Aux Longerons and side stiffeners
 
IMG_0809 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr
IMG_0810 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Watch out for that one hole that is off the centreline! It needs to have good edge distance, and will only be drilled along with the F-684 gussets.
IMG_0811 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Used F-902 to help secure side stiffener in position during fitting.

IMG_0812 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Some guys use a squeezer to "improve" this joggle, but I've seen that go wrong and cause the part to crack. So I used my longeron dies to impart a little bit of a curve here. There was still a bit of a gap so I filled that later with a shim.

IMG_0813 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr
IMG_0805 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr
Heres how I finally drilled the angle clip to the firewall angle. Note drill stop to protect the skin. Angle drill fitting has been invaluable during this phase!

Z-EDD 10-29-2016 07:47 AM

Lower longerons
 
Always amazes me how some parts in this kit are so nicely pre-fabricated, and then others are not at all! The aux longerons came nicely cut, and just needed slight trimming to length. The lower longerons on the other hand, are just a single length of angle, and need a lot of workIMG_0806 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0807 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0808 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Z-EDD 10-29-2016 07:57 AM

Drilling firewall brackets
 
When drilling the lower longerons to the firewall brackets, edge distance on the steel bracket also needs to be preserved. here is how I marked the longerons to show the underlying bracket.
IMG_0831 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0832 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0833 by Ed Fleming, on FlickrIMG_0834 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Z-EDD 10-31-2016 11:37 AM

Rudder pedals
 
IMG_0866 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Drilled the UHMW blocks with 3/16 plastic bit. Definitely works better, but the bolts wouldn't fit the 3/16 hole. When I drilled out with the number 10 bit it was as bad as using it in the first place!

IMG_0843 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr
Rudder pedals fitted. 3 positions as others have managed. I'm saving the brake pedals for the inevitable frustrating days waiting for a riveting partner!

Z-EDD 10-31-2016 11:47 AM

Edge distance issues on floor stiffeners
 
IMG_0854 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

The aft end is just OK.

IMG_0868 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

But not the forward. After some consideration and research I decided to drill a new hole with the seat support rib. Apparently that aft most hole is really difficult to rivet anyway so I abandoned it. The new hole is 2D from the abandoned hole and 3D from the middle hole.

IMG_0882 by Ed Fleming, on Flickr

Here's how it turned out. Note I'm down to the proseal clecos at this point!


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