Tailcone longerons, new style

[vmirv8bldr]

I'll be assembling the tailcone for the first time this evening. IN reviewing the plans and getting the associated parts ready, I noticed the mid and lower longerons were bent. Not a sharp bend, but a long slow bend, like a 20 - 30' radius. So, I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to straighten them out first, but I didn't see that anywhere in the instructions, which otherwise practically remind me to breathe every few seconds.

What's the consensus? Straighten, or install them pre-loaded with the bend?

Any other gotchas or tips at this stage?

(Congrats Rick, looks like you'll be flying in a few months.)

 

[mlwynn]

Lower Longeron Bend

Hi Bart

Mine were the same way. I think it is a side effect of the cnc punching. I straightened mine. Very gently. That part of the fuselage is pretty straight. The skin will pull most of the bend out, but I thought it was better to unload it.

Regards,

Michael Wynn
RV 8 Fuselage

 

[vmirv8bldr]

Straightened

I straightened them, and glad I did. While doing so I noticed a small crack developing at the very forward end of one of them, where the seat belt attaches. I stop drilled it. Had I not been focusing on them so intently, I may not have noticed.