Prime fuel tank, SB 16-08-24, canopy trim, interior paint

Quite a bit got accomplished today. Started by drilling out the holes in the canopy to gain access to the bolts. I drilled a little too low initially, but those areas can be filled in later.  I was then able to remove the canopy after a lot of careful work loosening up the edges. Tape and paper was removed from fuselage. It took some work with acetone to get the remnants of the duct tape off the metal.

I then primed the fuel tank and installed the safety wire on the seat backs.  I worked on the canopy catch removing the rivets as per update and installing catch. I also worked on SB 16-08-24 since I still had good access to the engine mount brackets.  The rivets were replaced with new as per SB.

I then marked and trimmed the canopy and filled in some voids.

There was a new flap knob that could be placed to minimize pinching of fingers, so I installed it. I then tried in the interior to look and see what areas needed painted as I am only painting the interior in the locations that are not covered by the interior package. Once taking note of the areas to paint I taped off the interior and primed and painted.

Time: 9.25 hrs.

Drill holes in canopy

Seat back safety wire

Canopy off

tape removed

Rivets removed for canopy catch

Upper FWD fuselage removed

Rivets removed

New rivets installed

Bottom trim line marked

Template placed

Template traced

Canopy trimmed

Voids filled in

Flap knob replaced

New flap knob installed

Canopy catch installed

Seat cushion tried in

Carpet tried in

Control stick

Power plug area

Seat belt connection

Interior tried in

Seat hinges

Head phone jack

Interior taped

Interior painted

Canopy, fuel tank test, seat backs, gas struts, Tailcone

Today was a day of various aspects of the build. I first sanded and added more epoxy for fill on the canopy.  I then finally tested the fuel tank again. A balloon was placed and pressure added. I then went around the seams with soap solution. No Leaks!!!

I then primed and painted the seat backs.  New gas struts were drilled. There was a notice of installing new metal gas struts in place of the plastic ones as they have had issues with plastic ones breaking.  With some help I was able to remove the stabilator and proceeded with the tailcone. Nutplates were positioned in place and ready for match drilling. The only thing is that it required a long #40 bit which I didn't have, So time to order another bit.

Time: 4.25 hrs

More epoxy added for fill.

Fuel tank test

Seat backs painted

Metal struts drilled

Tailcone nutplates ready for drilling.

Seats, longerons

The longeron dies have arrived, but before starting back on the longerons I wanted to complete the seats. The seats were riveted together as per plans and hinge pins made. I then installed them in the fuselage.  They are all complete except for the safety wire as per plans. I will installed that after I paint the seats.

Then a return to longerons. I tried the 6 lb soft face hammer that I ordered to open the angle.  It seems to work but very slowly. I picked up a metal pipe coupler as some had suggested in my readings to try that. I place the coupler along with the longeron and extra angle in a vise to open the angle.  This worked fairly well.  The angle was opened. I then twisted it as per plans with a crescent wrench. The longeron dies were used to make the bend. This worked very well and I am glad I purchased them.  The angle at the aft end was bent and a portion of the end was trimmed for optional weight savings.

I then matched the bend of the longeron to the bend of the canopy deck. I begin match drilling the holes from the canopy deck to the longeron.

Time: 2.5 hrs

Seat backs installed

Seat backs installed

Opening angle of longeron

Longeron die

Matching bend of longeron to canopy deck

Longeron matched to canopy deck

Corner removed for optional weight savings.

Cockpit light bracket, seat backs, paint samples

Since I am waiting on the longeron dies to complete the longerons, I decided to work on some other items.  I first prepared the roll bar for the cockpit light bracket.  I will probably wait to unstall it until after I have painted the roll bar.

Speaking of paint, I have been trying to decide on what paint to use on the inside.  I am planning at this point to order the interior carpets and sides including in that baggage area, so not a lot will be visible, but at the same time it would be nice to have the interior all painted just in case I don't get the interior kit and just because it would be good to have a consistent color under the carpet.  I tried a few sample on the trim tabs that were deformed.  The 4 I tried were Rustoleum brands: 1. Dark machine grey, grey hammered, black hammered, and black textured.  I also tried a matt overcoat on half of some of them to see how the matt finish would look.  My conclusion is that the texture didn't go on well.  Probably because I didn't practice with it enough. And although it can look good, I worry about the rough finish and cleans-ability. The hammered looked pretty good as far as texure with the first coat, but the second coat the hammered finished was reduced some.  The dark machine grey went on well.  So at this point I will most likely use the dark machine grey for the bulk of the inside with possibly some other colors for accents in areas.  The panel I will probably use the dark hammered or possibly to a carbon panel.  I will wait to decide that later.

I decided to go ahead and work on the seat backs since they wouldn't take long and would fill some time as I wait to proceed with the longerons. All the seat back parts were prepared.  Several hinges were fabricated and match drilled. The parts were clecoed together and ready for riveting.

Time: 2.5 hrs.

Cockpit light bracket

Interior paint samples

Seat back parts prepped

Seat back brace

Seat back cleoed