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Windshield deck, instrument panel and panel top covers... 02/23/03 - Yesterday, I was able to get the panel top closeouts to the point to where I could complete that section in a few hours. Today, I got started at 12:30 PM and finished about 4:30, so it was a 'tad' more than a few and a little difficult, but the task is complete and I am satisfied with the outcome. As I mentioned previously, the top cover closeouts are the interior windshield deck or 'dash' for those uninitiated and during final assembly the closeouts are riveted to the fuselage and are covered with a nice finish fabric with edge guard so it looks like this example from the Rans demo aircraft I flew last summer:
I think the toughest part today was installing a longitudinal center brace made from 1/2" diameter aluminum tubing that runs from the front former tube aft to the backside of the instrument panel. The tubing is installed so that you drill it to match the lap for the two closeouts. The first piece I cut is going to become SOMETHING ELSE as I made it 'just a bit too short' :) Here's a view from the underside of the panel closeout after I'd installed the brace:
After I got the brace installed and drilled, things went a little smoother. Here are a few in-progress shots:
After I finished and cleaned up the shop a bit, I decided we needed another shot with the gear:
This morning when I turned on my heater, I remembered that I got my new license plates recently and now I HAVE MORE MOTIVATION TO FINISH THIS PROJECT!!!
More updates soon... |
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Last Update: 02/23/2003 |
