Brief Description: Install final Z bracket and test fit tank skin
The final Z bracket was positioned between the baffle and spar (inboard bracket) and match drilled from below using the holes in the spar as a guide. The three attaching nutplates for the bracket were installed.
My procedure for installing nutplates is to cleco the plate, insert the appropriate size bolt and tighten, remove one cleco and match drill the rivet hole, drive the rivet, and then repeat for the second rivet. This procedure guarantees alignment of the nutplate with the bolt.
Next task was to cleco the baffle to the Z brackets and temporarily install the tank skin to the baffle to check the fit along the leading edge and joint splice plate. Like the left tank skin, this skin showed a slight gap where it butts to the leading edge assembly (about 1/32-1/16”). This gap disappeared on the port wing once the tank was assembled with the ribs and baffle and then screwed in place. I am hoping this fit problem will also disappear a little farther into the wing build.
