Brief Description: Match drilling tasks & prep of root rib left tank
I had a full day of history tours at the NMUSAF scheduled for today so not much was accomplished in the shop. However, I did get out this morning and finished all the skin to baffle machine countersinking by checking each hole with a #3 flush rivet. When these are squeezed in the final assembly process they should look good. I also final drilled to #19 all the screw attach holes. These include the attach points to the main spar and the joint plate at the wing leading edge assembly. These will be dimpled for #8 screws I believe (need to double check).
Later in the day, I removed the root rib from the left tank and cut out the hole for the access plate using the recently purchased fly cutter. Using the access cover as a guide, the holes were match drilled in the root rib. The reinforcement ring was then clecoed in place and all the platenut attach holes were match drilled. The platenut attach holes in the root rib were dimpled and the reinforcement ring was machine countersunk to match. I went ahead and positioned the tank attach bracket and the rib tip reinforcement plate for match drilling. This will be my first task on Monday morning. I will then continue on with the final preparations for the left tank.
