Aircraft Build Log: March 2006 Archives

This view shows the left elevator, post t/e bend, nice and flat!!!

The 'dreaded' trim tab bends! This is a poor quality photo but it does show the 'inboard' bend of the trim tab. I'ts not too bad but I had to stop near the end of the job so it's just bent to some 80 degrees with another 11 degrees to go according to the build manual!!! Let's hope I can re jig this back to it's original setting before commencing again with the 'bends'

Although it doesn't look like it this is the left elevator. Also, it's perfectly flat all along the trailing edge following use of the bend brake. It's a hairy moment, because, if you over bend it you might split the skin. Yikes!!!

This photo provides a better view of the business end of the elevators ie: Trim motor/plate cutout

Preparing to clecoe the 'Skeleton' to the left skin. The hole in the skin is for the electric trim motor. This will be fitted at a later stage.

Jeremy (building an RV-8) is the 'font of all knowledge' when it comes to building. He's holding the skin open whilst I rivet the last 2/3 rivets closest to the trailing edge. You need someone who's pretty strong too!

Both left/right spars are ready for riveting to the rest of the elevator skeletons. The bearing bolts are lightly screwed into the attached platenuts (rivet, but out of view). They need to be adjusted for length and torqued up later in the build process. These will be attached to the HS eventually.

This view is the ''Front'' of the rear spar! Although the rivets are 'safe' some are just a tad off level. If they slope, so long as they meet the minima it's OK. The problem is just a function of practice. That's all!!!

Platenuts need to be primed too as per the manual. Chunky rivets these, they attach the spar/plate/platenut combination.

View of the rear side of the rear spar. Various books/builders suggest placing the manufactured head on the thicker material. Apparently, it's less likely to deform on the thinner side of the material especially when bucking. It's also said, that it's a lot easier to drill out without damaging the hole, if necessary.

Drilled/Deburred/Dimpled (flanges) ready to attach reinforcement plates with AD4-7's

That's it. All the skeleton is primed and riveted and ready for inspection prior to closing up the skin.

Forward spar riveted to ribs and rear spar assembly.

Rear Spar and reinforcement plate riveted. Note the flush rivets, these are required when mating the VS to the HS/Fuselage. Freshly primed with Sikkens wash primer CF.

This is an example of the primer session; note that each stiffener is indexed according to its location. In this case, these belong to the top skin of the left elevator.

Today, was a massive paint job! 70 parts, large and small managed to get primed in no small part thanks to Jeremy the master sprayer. Its a messy and at times an uncomfortable experience. Pictures to follow shortly.

This is the part that you often dont see! Here, I'm using a scotchbrite cloth and detergent to 'scrub up' the Alclad surface prior to a final 'de greasing' with Acetone. Then it's off to the paint shop for the primer to be applied

My name is David Richard. I'm about to waste a lot of money and build a kit aircraft from my home in the UK.