fuselage question

wyoflyer · #1 09-04-2007, 09:37 PM

I have a question. I can't find any pictures or text on how to finish this area. Do I just leave it...do i try to fabricate a fairing... or what?

Steve Sampson · #2 09-05-2007, 01:19 AM

You can see the fairing in the April 19th 07 entry here. Its in the background. Double click the picture for a better view.

Take a look at plan #40 (bottom / right) also.

Cheers,

Dayton Murdock · #3 09-05-2007, 10:48 AM

Hi Dave
In your photo it appears that you trimmed the bottom skin flush with the side of the fuselage. The bottom skin bridges the gap and is screwed to the bottom of the wing

wyoflyer · #4 09-05-2007, 12:20 PM

I did leave an overhang. It stops an inch or so past the rear fuse spar mount.[IMG]

[/IMG] Unless I misread the plans, hopefully, that will work out. Steve, does the rear portion of that fairing rest on the fuse or is it riveted? I have a hard time visualizing that part smoothly being riveted to the rest of the fuselage.

scottw · #5 09-05-2007, 01:30 PM

dwg #31 shows a notch trimmed in that location.

Steve Sampson · #6 09-05-2007, 02:29 PM

Dave, if I remember correctly it comes from VANS with a close to 90 degree bend. My approach was to change the 90 degree bend into a radiused curve for the last 2" or so. I thne drilled it to the fuse and clecoed it.

I was going to rivet it, but in the end I decided that it will all fit better if I just pro sealed it on at the top/ bottom / rear. That appears to have worked well.

I can take a picture explicitly of it if that would help you.

Cheers, Steve.

wyoflyer · #7 09-06-2007, 08:11 AM

Steve, I have to admit that I didn't see the fairing on plan #40. I remember wondering what those two .016 pieces were. I guess I will just make some posterboard pieces of that dimension and see if I can make something that looks o.k. Thanks all for the help.

Steve Sampson · #8 09-06-2007, 11:56 AM

Dave - I had the camera in the w'shop today, so here is a better picture.

wyoflyer · #9 09-06-2007, 11:14 PM

After a few hours in the shop today, this is my best effort. It looks o.k. I can probably live with it. At least I didn't have to resort to that "other" fairing material.

WSBuilder · #10 01-31-2012, 01:25 PM

I went looking for this fairing in my fuselage kit parts pile last night and it's not here! After a couple of calls, Van's says it's included in the finish kit I just ordered. I asked them to send it now. Is there a reason why it wasn't part of the fuselage kit? Is it best positioned after the wing/flap is installed to better align with the fold?

Also, I made a poster board pattern per the drawings to test the fit and there's a 1/2" gap where it's supposed to butt against the side skin edge. Is the delivered part oversized for trimming?