Back in Business

Work has actually been progressing, but I haven’t been logging it well. I’ll need to go back and post pictures for items that are complete. Status now:

1. Strakes are halfway done. Need to build the sumps, install plumbing, and seal them up.
2. Main gear has the right-side fairing done a-la Wayne Hicks. Need to do the left side to match.
3. Forward-hinged canopy is installed. Need to finish rear windows and do final tweaks.

I need to try to get out to the hangar more.

New progress

I haven’t been very good about updating the build log lately, but I HAVE been making a lot of progress:

1. The spar is installed, and all reinforcing layups on and around it are complete.
2. The upper firewall is installed, and the engine mount hard point reinforcements are complete.
3. The turtleback is installed, and most of its reinforcements are in place.
4. The canopy is in progress. It’s in place and trimmed, and the first UNI layup around its bottom lip is installed.

Progress may start to slow down now. The shop is definitely getting very cold, and it’s getting really hard to do work. Hopefully another propane heater will help – we have one right now, but it’s just barely keeping up.

Here you can see two reinforcements around the spar installation.

And the installation of the upper firewall. I got the tapes a little slanted. Oh well. You can also see a gap above the firewall top the turtleback – this is where I raised the turtleback. I need to fill in here.

The fill-in turned out OK. I glassed over it after the flox cured. This was done before installing the top BID wrap over the top edge of the turtleback, so it’s all sealed under there (inside and out).

Mounting the turtleback went fine. My new height and width made it a little awkward to do the fittings in some spots, but for the most part it turned out alright. The foam shaping is a little smaller than plans call for, and I don’t have as much overhang, but in the end the inside edges lined up exactly on top of the longerons, which means more shoulder room for the rear seat.

Spar installation complete!

The spar is now installed, upper firewall in place, and the whole mess is taped in. I can now remove the wings and actually get around the shop again!

Spar installation complete!

The spar is now installed, upper firewall in place, and the whole mess is taped in. I can now remove the wings and actually get around the shop again!