Show us the status of your 7/7A project!

[SmittysRV]

Very, very cool! Let the fun begin!

[Bugsy]

Well I passed the 1000 hour mark this weekend. Got the canopy Sika Flexed on thanks to my helpers Guy Prevost and Don Stone. Thanks fellas!

[papamike]

After what seemed like an eternity after I finished the empennage, it's time to get busy again! It's gonna be a great Fall!

[miyu1975]

finished the canopy frame and just got done sanding the final canopy fairing..

FLOX



5 layers of S Glass



after sanding the glass it was time for the filler....2 rounds of filler and sanding..



Finally...

[miyu1975]

Managed to seal down an engine...

IO 360 AIA 200HP...

has less than 200 hrs when removed, no damage, not wrecked... been pickled and in storage for 2 years... it is being torn down just for inspection and to perform any ADs.. the inside is beautiful...no surprises.







prop gov included..


...

[BSwayze]

I have arrived at another milestone. I successfully mated the wings to the fuselage for the first time! I don't have room inside my shop to do this, so it had to be done outside. I chose a day when the weather was nice and I had some help on hand. It's an interesting adventure to take your plane outside for the first time and put big pieces of it together. Especially when you live in the city and it's in your driveway. My son Paul was home from San Diego for a visit, so I had the privilege of his help, along with some other family and friends. Here's the plane, sitting in my driveway:



I used some Boelube to lubricate everything. Then we wiggled and pushed the wings and they slid right in. It was tight, but no problems. You can see the plumb bobs I hung over the wings to check the sweep. I staked a string and measured carefully. They're swept forward very slightly, but within 1/32" of being perfect! I also triangulated and measured carefully from the tail to the tip of each wing. The measurements are so close, it's negligible. Once again, the accuracy of these kits and the engineering that has been done just blows me away. Thanks, Vans!

Here's a shot from directly in front. My sawhorse makes funny looking gear legs.



Some additional checking revealed that the rear spar bulkhead stubs sticking out of the fuselage were rubbing on the flanges of the tanks. I believe some minor trimming will alleviate this, and also correct the 1/32" forward sweep error. According to the plans, if it's within 1/2" it's close enough, but I don't want that rubbing anyway, so why not correct it?



I had to just walk around, take some pictures, and enjoy the moment. Passersby were really looking. Some stopped to comment. All in all, it was a great experience.



Once I realized that the wings have to come off for that minor trimming before going any further, there was no point moving on to consider the angle of incidence. So we just enjoyed the moment before taking it all apart and packing it back into the garage. I really enjoyed this time with Paul and the rest of my family, friends, and helpers. This will be repeated again soon to finish the sweep and incidence adjustments, and drill those holes in the rear spar.

[N282S]

Whoa, Bruce.

You are up early!! Congrats on getting it together. That just looks so cool.

[boom3]

Very nice Bruce! You really got to wonder what goes through the neighbors' heads when they drive by. Most of my neighbors have no idea.

[339A]

It's a great feeling to put it together for the first time and see the fruits of your labor. You are getting ever closer to a flying airplane. BTW I love how the anodized side rails show up in this pic, they just look so...

[quote=BSwayze;461972]Here's the plane, sitting in my driveway:

[Paul K]

Rolled my 7a outside last weekend to clean the barn. Neighbors were tripping over things and walking into sign post! Pretty funny to watch the gaulkers as they were watching me