Brief Description: Installation of forward bottom skins
The task for today was to install the forward bottom fuselage skins. Initially, this task didn't look to bad but it did take some time and I am still not done. The aft most skin that attaches to the spar box has some tricky rivets to set (the two floor ribs that taper back towards the spar box). I didn't even try to use solid rivets in the last two holes on each rib substituting blind rivets instead.
I mixed up a little tank sealant and got the forward most skins clecoed in place and only partially riveted. The floor rivets and those down the side through the longerons are yet to be set. Have to wait until Connie has time to help with these. We will finish all the rivets associated with the longerons at that time. There are a couple on each side that are inside the landing gear boxes and these will probably be a real pain.
Speaking of pain, I installed some of the screws that go through the side skins into the outboard landing gear weldment. Getting my hands into the boxes and getting the washers and nuts started is not easy. There are so many nuts, screws, washers, and bolts in the gear boxes that it is really hard to work in there. I wonder how much of a problem getting the nuts and washers onto the main gear bolts will be. Looks a little daunting.
