G-RVBA

Fuselage (over view)

2012-09-02T18:44:07Z

The empennage has been removed for ease of moving to and fro from the workshop. New larger tyres (tires) now fitted to all wheels. Broader tyres for the mains and 5 x 5 for the nose wheel.

More pictures to follow soon re revised nose wheel yoke.

Brake reservoir (2)

2011-09-25T16:35:29Z

Hole drilled to allow reservoir stub to penetrate the firewall for LP brake lines.

Brake reservoir

2011-09-25T16:34:28Z

Fitted to port side of firewall.

Rudder weldment.

2011-09-25T16:34:26Z

Final hole drilled through, though this is at full extension and you would need to have the longest legs to use this setting!

Rudder Weldment

2011-09-25T16:00:27Z

Drilling out the 1" holes along the rudder slidebar.

Baggage door

2011-09-15T17:15:41Z

Fitted baggage door lock, though a little unhappy concerning the fit of the lower door edge as still not truly flush!

Everything else fits perfectly.

Baggage door Lock

2011-09-15T14:43:12Z

Drilling the door skin for the placement of the door lock.

Canopy cut begins!

2011-09-02T18:26:46Z

This is the first cut to divide the canopy in two parts. Loads of marking, measuring out, and treble checking so not to make a monumental avoidable cock up. Easy to cut the wrong end of the canopy if you're not awake!

Preparing the canopy cut.

2011-09-02T17:29:55Z

The cardboard planar board is visible between the two weldments, a line is then drawn that then becomes the 'cutting' line.

Also, note the 'witness' marks along the edge of the canopy and top skin. These are to help reposition again after removal etc.

Canopy Planer board

2011-09-02T17:28:40Z

Per the Van's instructions, a cardboard sheet is sandwiched between the forward bow and the canopy bow and a line is drawn on the canopy perspex to mark the cutting line.

Drilling of Elevator Horns.

2010-09-18T20:51:50Z

You can see how I was able to accurately drill the hole in the port elevator horn. It worked a treat having had the AN4 bolt drilled through the centre perfectly.

It also acts as a bushing and protection for the bearing! The hole was initially drilled at #40 then opened up in stages to accommodate the bolt shank

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Drilling of Elevator Horns (port)

2010-09-18T12:18:09Z

Image is slightly blurred but still illustrates the drill through principle I used on this 'tricky if you get it wrong stage' of the build.

A replacement bolt, nut and spacing washers will be used to secure the elevator horns together via the bearing. The nut head's have just enough space to avoid the weld seam, but not too much!

Rear Canopy bow (2)

2010-06-30T22:02:36Z

This picture shows the correct position of the rear bow.

Rear Canopy bow.

2010-06-30T21:51:20Z

The rear canopy bow when first offered up to the fuselage is often too high and is required to be bent to a specific measurement as per the drawings. In my case it must be reduced to 3/4". above the canopy rail as illustrated

Canopy Frame

2010-06-30T14:23:23Z

The canopy track is drilled through the fuselage then clecoed in place.

The rear canopy bow is slotted into the white UHMW fitting (just visible) to ensure the canopy locks into position correctly.