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Pete's RV-8 Web Site
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Date: 7-12-2009
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Number of Hours: 1.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Fitting fiberglass rudder tip
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I received an email from Van's this week indicating my wing kit should ship on Friday, 10 July. Hopefully, the kit made it out of crating and is on its way. In the interim, I decided to spend a little time this afternoon fitting the fiberglass tip on the rudder. This piece didn't fit as well as the elevator tips.
After a little sanding, it fit snugly at the leading and trailing edges, however, it tends to gap in the middle. Further sanding of the flange lip on the leading and trailing edges seemed to help but it could be better. I don't want to permanently attach the tip by glassing it to the metal rudder so a really good fit is necessary before drilling and riveting it to the rudder. With a little more work I think it will ok without the need to add filler or glass to alter the flange line.
Since I don't know much about fiberglass technique, I am thinking about ordering a book entitled Fiberglass 101. Hopefully, it presents specifics such as attaching aluminum reinforcement strips for riveting, attaching platenuts to fiberglass, attaching fiberglass to lead counterweights, filling, finishing, and priming. I have read a few blogs and forum entries on the topic but haven't found any that get specific on brands of epoxy, cloth weights, weave patterns, etc. I will have to learn fiberglass on my actual RV-8 kit so I want to eliminate as many unknowns as possible. If there is any RV builder out there that would like to share your experience, please feel free to contact me.
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Rudder Tip (Right Side)
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Rudder Tip (Left Side)
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