Brief Description: Worked problem areas, installed preheater.
Checked drawings last night and confirmed I had made the forward part of the canopy arms too long. Took patterns to hangar and compared to arms. Used the oscillating sander to trim the top corners on both sides - not quite all the way back to the lines we marked yesterday. Tom and I tried a test fit with just one washer on the right side, the way I ended up after the original fitting - still too much material. Removed and shaped the corners back further, and sanded off the back sides as well. Didn't get a chance to try another installation. Need to get this project done as the canopy is taking up all my work space on the bench. I'm hoping this lastest contouring will work because I haven't had to do a whole lot of damage to the paint so far.
Fabricated a cross brace out of left over angle stock and installed on the lower tail cone to hold the sides inward and away from the stabilator skin. Re-installed and found that all the previously interfering screws now clear the skin, but now there is problem with interference with full up elevator on the right side rear. After a lot of head scratching I discovered the cause - I didn't trim the stab skin back as far on the right side as I did on the left. Now that it is painted it is harder to repair this without damage. Taped and marked the skin for trimming at next session.
Installed the preheater. Draped the engine area and left the small cube heater on a low setting overnight to promote the curing of the bonding epoxy.
Reinstalled the upper spark plugs and wire ties removed previously to facilitate the cooling shroud modification.
