Frames for the Fourth

Three day weekend means getting a lot done.  Finished the work around the front frame which means dimpling or countersinking holes where the nose cowl attaches.

Now I could finish putting in the front frame shear clips.

Now it is time to install the side skins permanently.  They are just clecoed for now.

The kit comes with thin walled plastic tubes to act as electrical wire conduit.  They slide through the lightening holes in the frames.  They are a tight fit and it is not a straight run plus there are three pieces that you have to join together.  You heat the end of one with a hair dryer to slip it over the other end.  I had some trouble with this until I found a socket that had a taper too it that I could flare the end.

Now it is time  to rivet in the frames/stiffeners for the front half.  Starting at the back this is the aileron torque tube support bracket that is riveted to the two small frames and then two floor frames.  These are all just clecoed to the floor now but permanently riveted to the frames at the ends.

Next were the rear pedal support stiffeners.

And up front were more stiffeners.  The front bracket for the aileron torque tube support and the two little ones in the foreground are for the front pedals.

I had to drill some holes for the bottom mounted antenna.  I went to vacuum out the shavings but the vacuum clean didn't have much suction.  Investigation found this too be the culprit.

Looks like a trip to Sears for a new filter.

Finally it was time to start riveting the rest of the bottom skins.  I needed an assistant for this.

Happy Fourth of July!