TK's RV-8

[tkatc]

The plans have you build the seat backs next. I don't think I will even use the front seatback as the Classic Aero seats have structure built in but I built it anyway.


Piano hinges give me fits but I am learning to work with it.



Everything looks good here but I will later find out I had the "locating" hole upside down and that led to an offset hinge.


Onto the rear seatback. These are pretty cool.


The rear seat hinge came out much better.


After match drilling and a lot of deburring, priming was in order.

[tkatc]

After a few weeks of building, the shop was completely trashed. I HA to take a couple hours to clean it up.


Clean and organized shop complete with new workbench carpet!




Seatback riveting begins.


I did notice a small crack in the upper rear seatback assembly. I stop drilled it and I am thinking of what should be done if anything.

[tkatc]

Seatbacks are done and look great. It's inspiring.


Started fabricating the floors and realized I had made mistakes when I installed the floor ribs.


These tabs are oriented backwards! The are there to accept a plate nut but they certainly can't do that the way they are aligned right here.


Here is all the floors and aft baggage area clecoed in place.


Drilling the flap weldment blocks. I had read about these on several build logs. Seems much worse than it actually is.




Then you shave the corners. (Be careful which corners right vs left, forward vs aft, inboard vs outboard)




Here are the blocks and weldment in place. Match drilling these into the floors proved a bit tricky.

[tkatc]

there is not a lot of room to get a drill in here and I was worried I would overdrill the blocks while match drilling the floors so I used a scratch awe and punch a center mark to use for drilling.




Worked out great.


And here are those 2 tabs drilled out and correctly oriented and riveted.


Installing plate nuts for the flap blocks was also problematic. I had to use the tight fitting drill attachment to countersink for flush rivets.

[tkatc]

Clecoed and matchdrilled the passenger footwells.


Much deburring, drilling, dimpling has to occur even on something as small the floors. Eventually you get to the primer stage.


My build partner looks on and wonders when it'll be time for dinner.


Backriveting the stiffeners is a piece of cake.


You cannot back rivet the seatback hinge so you have to come up with something. I just clamped the floor to my workbench using the back riveting plate and riveted normally. Worked out quite nicely.






The footwells were a little tougher but nothing you can't handle.

[tkatc]

Completed the forward floor.


Had to install the floors to check them out. Pretty cool.


May as well throw the seatbacks in for effect.






They looked so good I had to jump in and snap a self pic!! No airplane noises yet though!

[Paul Tuttle]

Tony,

I'm thinking there may be some airplane noises from it next summer.
You're making some major progress there. Nice job !

[brad walton]

It looks great Tony. I just installed a26 gauge stainless steel exhaust ramp over the stock aluminum ramp on my RV8 al la Dan H. I came to believe this is a worthwhile safety improvement in case of an engine fire. It would be easier for you to do the same at this stage of construction as opposed to after it is painted and flying. Just a suggestion for your consideration. It helps to dampen the exhaust vibration felt in your feet as an added bonus.

[DanH]

Originally Posted by brad walton

I just installed a26 gauge stainless steel exhaust ramp over the stock aluminum ramp on my RV8 al la Dan H.

Just polishing the pins, old bean...mine is not an overlay. it replaces the stock aluminum ramp.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?p=218600

[Dvalcik]

Looking good! You will be done in time to fly in and pick up your trophy for the 8 @ the 2014 SkyManor flying. Possible 2 time winner.