Well, I haven’t posted anything since January 30, but I have definitely been making SMALL steps forward. I’ve been busy with work the past few weeks and was only able to devote several shorter work sessions, which really didn’t warrant a blog post. For example....dimpling the Upper and Lower Flanges of the Rear Spar.
So, like a few posts in the past, I will summarize all the work sessions I’ve completed into this one post and catch up the blog.
So, here goes...
For the most part, all the steps completed on the Left Wing have to be completed on the Right Wing. (One difference that comes to mind between the two wings is the size/location of the Snap Bushings in the Wing Ribs). Pictured below is the Rear Spar Doubler Plate and the Rear Spar Reinforcement Fork clecoed together with 24 clecoed. Previously, the Rear Spar Attach Holes on both parts were Final-Drilled to 11/32. Now, this hole must be reamed to 3/8. Jeff helped me again and we used the drill press to complete this step. The plans state this is a critical hole, so the drill press make the best possible result.
Pictured below are the three Rear Spar Doubler Plates and one of the Aileron Attach Brackets (from the SB) after being Akzo primed. NOW, I have a confession to make! The holes in the Upper Flanges of the three Doubler Plates (16 total) and the corresponding holes in the Upper Flange of the Rear Spar are supposed to be machine-countersunk. They ARE machine countersunk in the Left Wing; however, I mistakenly dimpled the holes in the Rear Spar Upper Flange instead of countersinking. As a result, the holes in the Upper Flanges of the Doubler Plates also had to be countersunk. This is NOT the biggest problem in the world, but a deviation from the plans nonetheless. With the dimples, the Doubler Plates nest under the Rear Spar very well, but will be slightly different from the opposite Wing (which were countersunk). I will probably call Van’s to confirm there is no issue with the dimples versus the countersunk, but I’m thinking it’s okay.
Additionally, the Right Rear Spar was also Akzo primed. Below are several pictures showing the Rear Spar, Rear Spar Doubler Plates, and Aileron Hinge Brackets clecoed to the Wing Ribs.
I have treated the Rear Spar Reinforcement Fork and Rear Spar Doubler Plate with Alumiprep and Alodine. However, while Akzo priming the other parts the other day, I forgot to spray these two pieces. So, they will receive Akzo primer during the next session and the two pieces will be attached to the Rear Spar where all the open holes are located below.
Lastly, the Aileron Torque Tube Assembly still needs to be riveted to the #1 Wing Rib. The six AN470AD4-4 universal rivets will be installed where you see the six clecos.
That should catch up the blog. It doesn’t really look like a lot of work was completed, but as other builders know, there is a lot of prep work that must be completed prior to assembly. All of the prep work has now been completed, so I will start setting rivets during the next session.