RV-7A rebirthing

[kentlik]

Originally Posted by jcarne

Kent do you mean that the canopy frame spread that much? If so, holy cow! I'm sure it's normal but dang.

So I measured it wrong somehow.
It only spread about 3/16" maybe a less. Slides excellent...


...but when I closed the darn thing the windscreen is all out of shape. Not bent just strangely executed and must come off! AARrrghhh!

For some reason, there is about 1/2-3/4 of filler on the left side of the roll bar between the bar and the windscreen...let me take a pic.


This is at a pretty obtuse angle, you can see how jacked up it is:



Here is one a bit more in line with the side of the plane:



It is bad. I guess I just missed this and there was really nothing to be done anyway so darn it!

[jcarne]

Dang that's a little too noticably. So I'm assuming that windscreen was already on there? Shouldn't be too bad to get it off but what do I know. Too bad you are gonna have to redo the fiberglass blending too...

[kentlik]

Originally Posted by jcarne

Dang that's a little too noticeable. So I'm assuming that windscreen was already on there? Shouldn't be too bad to get it off but what do I know. Too bad you are gonna have to redo the fiberglass blending too...

Carne, I just tore into it full tilt! You can't believe how this was built!



The upcoming photos show the gap purposefully built into the windscreen with custom-made tabs of two parts each:



Check out that gaposis on this photo!

[jcarne]

I'm sorry man but I literally laughed out loud when I saw that gap in pic number 3. Glad you are redoing this as that gap is atrocious! I think you will be happier in the end when the new windscreen. Question, did that fiberglass come off that easy? Looks like it wasn't adhered as well as I would have thought to the windscreen and the metal. It's been a long time since I have worked with the stuff so maybe my thinking is off...

[kentlik]

No, it was on well.

I used the well-established technique of HEAT gun
and the non-tool end of a hole locating tool slightly chisel pointed to pry
it up and off.

It was a drag...I hope there isn't some hidden reason for this gap that has as of yet not revealed itself.

I have a few more photos that are worth posting, laughing allowed

I am not so cheery...boo hoo

[jcarne]

Originally Posted by kentlik

No, it was on well.

I used the well-established technique of HEAT gun
and the non-tool end of a hole locating tool slightly chisel pointed to pry
it up and off.

It was a drag...I hope there isn't some hidden reason for this gap that has as of yet not revealed itself.

I have a few more photos that are worth posting, laughing allowed

I am not so cheery...boo hoo

I hear ya man. It just seems to me like it wasn't clamped. I have seen a few build logs where they have to clamp it in this section.

[cajunwings]

Well that the way it goes sometimes. Good part is this needs to be straightened out and you going to fix that.

Don B

[kentlik]

Originally Posted by cajunwings

Well that the way it goes sometimes. Good part is this needs to be straightened out and you going to fix that.

Don B

Yes indeed!

I have some tweaking to do on the slider, it is almost good enough but the left rear of the frame hits the top skin when it goes back initially. The very back of the lowest part. Seems to have moved somewhat during the gluing and clamping business. I cut a new block for the pintle deal to go into to help and that didn't help so I have to try something else.

Is it possible to move the plexi with a little blow dryer heat? My windscreen has a major gaposis just about in the same place as the old one did.

[cajunwings]

Not sure where you want to move it, but don?t think it?s a viable plan. Would a longer windshield section work better?


Don Broussard

[kentlik]

Originally Posted by cajunwings

Not sure where you want to move it, but don?t think it?s a viable plan. Would a longer windshield section work better?


Don Broussard

At this point, I am not sure. I seem to have plenty of plastic, it just has a hump in it. It might relax when I trim it as it is not trimmed in the front yet.

I have a number of little squawks on the slider and it irritates me as I really had it all in hand and now that the glass is on it is not quite good enough...darn it...

I need to step away and visit it in a week or so with a fresh set of eyes.

When are you back out here Don? I want you to look at it for me.