Brief Description: Top Forward Skin - Fuse - Part #2
Part 2 ofTop Forward Skin Installation - I prepared the new "real" skin material and test fitted it to the Fuse. I then removed it, scrubbed with Scotch-Brite Pads, primed and painted the interior with a coat of white paint. I also sparyed the support tubes with a coat of clear Red and hit the rear Bulkhead with the same color. I then cleco'ed the whole thing back together, checked fit and hole alignment...made a few "tweaks" and installed the rivets. I also "scalloped" the leading edge where it attaches to the forward tube. I have seen this done by other builders on their web pages and found that I didn't like the straight cut on the tube and after trying the "scallop" on the test pattern I did like the look and fit better....so I copied the trick on my final skin. I'm glad I did scallop the edge. Bit of extra work - but worth it. The photo's show a piece of cardboard on the package shelf that I cut and fitted to keep the scratches down on that piece thru the rest of the build. I have a nice clean fit between the new top rear skin and the back bow of the canopy frame too. The fuselage is really starting to look like a real airplane now. I still have NO controls in it, however. Those, the canopy bubble (and trim pieces), steps and Flap controls are all thats left to do on the Fuse...that is except for Panel, Firewall forward and polishing of the parts I've added. I also need to make my final main gear too...The Fuse sits on a roll around - work frame now that sits close to how the final gear will fit. The third leg of it fan be seen in the 1st photo below. The two forward wheels look very much like the main gear will look and fit the same way - in it's place.
Side view of top forwar skin
Top forward Skin forward view
View inside the top forward skin with the frame members visable
