Brief Description: Match drilling Z brackets and fit tank assembly
First task today was to cleco the tank ribs to the baffle and Z brackets. The ribs and baffle were then match drilled to the brackets using a long bit with a stop to protect the spar. The ribs and baffle were then removed so they could be assembled with the tank skin. This procedure was accomplished in the cradle. This set of tank ribs were more “twisted” than those on the port wing so the process took a little longer. I am hoping that once match drilled and dimpled, the final assembly will be easier. In assembling the tank, the two most outboard Z brackets and the most inboard were clecoed from the inside.
The assembled tank was then placed on the wing and fastened with both bracket bolts and screws to pull it firmly into position. After confirming a good fit to the leading edge assembly, the tank was match drilled (all holes except skin to baffle). The tank skin to joint splice plate was match drilled to final size using a #19 bit. The tank assembly was then removed from the wing in preparation for countersinking the skin to baffle span-wise holes.
