David-aviator
Well Known Member
Finally reached the QB stage (according to the build plan).
With some help from several friends this week, all side and bottom fuselage skins including the cooling ramp are now riveted in. The only clecoes remaining are at the firewall flange and they probably will remain there until the cowl is installed. It appears the next stage is mounting the gear legs. That should start tomorrow or Monday. I opted for the Grove airfoil legs so as to not have to deal with the fiber glass fairings or brake lines down the legs. Hope it is not big deal getting them installed and aligned.
Spoke with Craig Catto this morning about another of his props for the 8. This one will be the same as the -7A except it will have a the stainless leading edge. He commented the root has been improved and I should see improved take off performance.
The season has changed big time and some heat in the shop will be needed soon. The fuselage just fits in so the doors to the main hangar can be closed.
PS. It has been 7 weeks since my wife had the lumbar fusion surgery on her lower back. It was a complete success in that the original chronic pain is gone. Now it is physical therapy for 6 weeks and she is enjoying it.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Here is a shot of a very simple tail pivot point with the rotisserie. I tried several other methods but this piece of old swimming pool raft material and the tail wheel spring work the best. The fuselage build would be very much slower without the rotisserie. It is most useful.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
With some help from several friends this week, all side and bottom fuselage skins including the cooling ramp are now riveted in. The only clecoes remaining are at the firewall flange and they probably will remain there until the cowl is installed. It appears the next stage is mounting the gear legs. That should start tomorrow or Monday. I opted for the Grove airfoil legs so as to not have to deal with the fiber glass fairings or brake lines down the legs. Hope it is not big deal getting them installed and aligned.
Spoke with Craig Catto this morning about another of his props for the 8. This one will be the same as the -7A except it will have a the stainless leading edge. He commented the root has been improved and I should see improved take off performance.
The season has changed big time and some heat in the shop will be needed soon. The fuselage just fits in so the doors to the main hangar can be closed.
PS. It has been 7 weeks since my wife had the lumbar fusion surgery on her lower back. It was a complete success in that the original chronic pain is gone. Now it is physical therapy for 6 weeks and she is enjoying it.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Here is a shot of a very simple tail pivot point with the rotisserie. I tried several other methods but this piece of old swimming pool raft material and the tail wheel spring work the best. The fuselage build would be very much slower without the rotisserie. It is most useful.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us