The last rivets in the aft top skin were quite challenging… but they are done. I reached the ones that I could with a bucking bar and I back-riveted the others from the inside with Amber’s help. I then attached… Read More »Tailcone Complete!
I am installing the static system plumbing in the tailcone prior to riveting the top skin in place. I decided to route the static lines from each static port upwards to a tee to prevent water instrusion or accumulation in… Read More »Static System Plumbing
While waiting on other parts/tools I proceeded with riveting the elevator trim bracket. I also wanted to test fit the motor and figure out what I am going to do with the wiring. The Ray Allen servo has short wires… Read More »Elevator Trim System
I attached the static ports today. I am using the Cleaveland Tool static port kit instead of the Van’s static ports. I decided to use 3M 2216 Epoxy Adhesive instead of proseal to attach the static ports. I didn’t like… Read More »Static Ports
I continued with riveting the aft deck. All rivets are set except for rivets at the F-1011 bulkhead. The horizontal stabilizer attach bars get in the way so I decided to order a longer rivet cup set instead of attempting… Read More »Aft Deck Riveting
I continued with the nutplates for the bellcrank rib angle. I set these rivets with the pneumatic squeezer. I then decided to back-rivet the bellcrank ribs to the skins before attaching the rib angles. I then riveted the angles to… Read More »More Tailcone Riveting
Two small steps, two dozen rivets, two hours, and twice as long as I expected. The rivets associated with the aft bottom skin are challenging to get to and required a mix of techniques. I back-riveted where I could along… Read More »Tailcone Side/Bottom Skin Riveting Complete
I completed two more steps on page 10-20 this evening. This completes the riveting of the forward bottom skin to the bulkhead frames and to the side skins. I back-riveted all of these with the exception of the rivets under… Read More »Tailcone Bottom Skin Riveting
I continued today with more tailcone riveting. First, I finished up the riveting of the side skins to the stiffeners. I back-riveted as far to the aft of the tailcone as I could and then switched to a mushroom set… Read More »Tailcone Riveting Continued
I started riveting the side skins. This starts with riveting the skins to the stiffeners. The left side is now complete up to the rear of the tailcone where I can no longer back-rivet. The right side is now about… Read More »Tailcone Side Skin Riveting
