Wings...rivet LE Wrap, cut fabric for wings, remove tail components

08/17/03 - Today when I got to the shop, I found the newly bonded edges holding nicely (...that's a load off my mind!) and before repositioning everything for the covering phase, I riveted the LE Wrap on both wings at the forward edge of the ribs and removed the remaining clecos from the wings.

I then began a bit of cleanup and relocation for this and that in the shop (I moved the TV back into the house as I need the space...no more Fox Saturday Baseball, I guess) in order to accomodate both wings on the floor and provide a working table.

Rans manual says to CUT FABRIC FOR THE WINGS FIRST, so after measuring and laying out a template on the floor, Marilyn and I cut the four sheets required to cover the wings.

First up will be the tail section components as the manual says we get pretty much all the covering techniques in these items.  I removed the strut cables, Horizontal Stabilizers and Elevators, then removed their hardware items and I'm pretty much ready to begin covering next trip out to the shop.

Here are a few photos from today's task, starting with the wing leveled for measurement.  I had an aluminum angle clamped to the tip end so I could get an accurate fabric cut length:

My temporary fabric workstation:

Cutting wing material:

It's unlikely I'll begin applying fabric to the stabilizers until next Saturday as the coming week is already looking like a busy one, but at least I'm FINALLY READY!  ;^)

More updates soon...

Last Update: 08/17/2003