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-   -   RV14 Canopy faring (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=147490)

Tom Martin 03-09-2017 02:28 PM

RV14 Canopy faring
 
I have done a number of canopy farings in the past and had intended to proceed as normal. In the spirit of learning new techniques I followed Van's videos and plan directions for laying up the canopy glass faring.

This picture shows all the glass pieces cut, as per plans and laid out ready for layup.



The process took a little less then the four hours that they suggested. The only change I made was to add another couple of layers of tape to the windscreen and thus more glass cloth for a bit of a thicker edge then specified. Absolutely nothing wrong with sticking with the plans, I just like a bit thicker edge.

Sanding today, with the suggested sanding block, took about four hours, including a layer of microballoons that I added to the faring after sanding. There were no real low spots but quite a few pin holes, that a 'runny' mix should fill nicely.



I purchased a new rotary cutter for the job. I knew that lots of people used them but I had always gotten along fine with scissors. What a dope, the rotary cutter is LOT better. It took no time to cut all the parts, with no stray edges. The other nice thing that they suggested was a proper shaped sanding block. They send a template that gives you the radius required and I just used a hand plane to shave the wood block to the correct radius. The block was just a 4" long piece of pine, 2.5"? wide and 3/4" thick. Nothing fancy. This really took the guess work out of the sanding an although my eye is pretty good, the block is better!

Nice job by Van's with the videos and plans. Easily within reach of a handy first time builder.

MED 03-09-2017 03:09 PM

Just curious why you installed the engine mount before completing the canopy installation?

JHartline 03-09-2017 03:13 PM

Question
 
Tom,

I may have missed a previous post, but what's the large hole in the forward skin for? Big air scoop? Laser cannon?

I've read thru the plans several times but I still didn't realize how many fabric strips there were.

Tom Martin 03-09-2017 03:25 PM

No real reason for the engine mount out of order other then wanting the outside air temperature to be a bit warmer then a month ago; better for plexiglass work.
The plans are great but I do no always follow the order of assembly.

As for the hole in the boot cowl, this is an inspection cover. It is NOT Van approved. I like to be able to get into the forward panel area for wiring and maintenance. I have already saved many times over the time it took to install the door. I would not recommend a modification like this for a first time builder.

Tom Martin 03-12-2017 01:00 PM

A few more pictures for you. The first one shows the glass work done and sanded. The white is the remains of epoxy and micro-balloons that was applied as a filler and then sanded off. This fills pin holes, sandpaper scratches, small imperfections etc.



This picture shows the final primed part. I used a fillable primer that was mostly sanded off and then a final coat of the same material. This will also be sanded off before final prime and paint but as the plane will be flown without paint for a while the glass will have a covering. Mostly following the plans the part turned out really nice with a clean sharp line on the plexiglass.



While working on the canopy faring I was also getting the tail faring to fit. It is a pretty good fit but I hate screws and so I do a bit of extra work to eliminate as many screws as possible from the faring. I can do this by laying up a glass strip and flox mix under all the edges. This serves two purposes: one it makes all the edges fit perfectly, and two the edges are now thicker that will greatly reduce the chances of the faring bulging later in life. The two strips of wood are used to apply a consistent pressure against the faring as the epoxy cures. This work was done over a number, 4?, sessions. First around the front at the fuselage, next around the VS, then each side on the HS.
My rocket has flown for 11 seasons now with a total of four screws holding the tail faring on. The RV14 faring is a bit larger and will need four at the lower front corners, two per side, and two on each side at the back.



Note the bottom and aft metal faring that goes under and behind the HS. I cut this piece in halve immediately aft of the HS. The forward part gets screwed into place and will never have to be removed. There is nothing to inspect under it that can not be seen from above. The aft bits get screwed on as per plans.
All this work will mean that for inspections you will have about 20 FEWER screws to take out, and a part that actually fits well!

JDA_BTR 03-12-2017 09:00 PM

How do you plan to keep water out of the access cover?

JDA_BTR 03-12-2017 09:02 PM

Also, what black paint did you use on the glare shield?

cajunwings 03-12-2017 09:58 PM

Cover seal
 
I've done a couple planes with a made in place proseal gasket. Works good. Message me if you would like details.

Don Broussard
RV9 Rebuild in Progress
57 Pacer

Tom Martin 03-13-2017 06:28 AM

The "seal" is simply a small bead of silicon around each screw hole and another bead connecting the screw holes. On top of this lay a strip of household Seran Wrap (sp?) and then screw the cover in place. Let cure and trip excess warp off.

The glare shield was painted with a flat black as in the Van's instructions. The painting was done after the plexiglass was fit to final shape then removed, again just following the instructions. All the canopy parts were then painted before final assembly.
I used a black dye in the first layer of glass to match the glare shield and it turned out nicely.

dave4754 03-13-2017 07:55 PM

Great post
 
It is great to see a post like that as it will archive now and be available for other searches.

I did mine exactly to Vans plans and the video, a few things did not come out in the video but were easily handled while doing the project.

My RV 7 canopy took about 10 hours and i still have some final sanding and primer work to do.

That is a nice line you have on the window.

I used a leatherette cover on the glareshield deck and i finished the glareshield edge with Classic Aero glareshield edge it worked well

Dave


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