This includes 2.2 hours on 7/23 and 3.9 hours on 7/24 as well as 3.9 on 7/25.
Aside from doing a few small jobs around the project, most of this time was spent on installing the forward top skin, which is covered in the photo guide. After clamping the panel to the tubular horizontal part the skin was identified and brought to the project. It was apparent that the firewall would have to be removed to get the skin on as the tubular frame must go through a pre-cut hole in the forward top of the skin.
The firewall was removed and then it was deburred and treated with zinc oxide. Placing the skin in position the firewall could be replaced and clico'd into position. After some careful alignment, the forward top skin was seen to fit the panel, the firewall and the side skins. Along the firewall the holes were pre-drilled (pilot holes only) in the skin and in the panel. These were then clico'd. Then, at the firewall the line of rivets is 50-80 mm inside the edge. Since the flange is hidden (inside the cabin) measurements located the flange and a line was marked where the rivets must lie to catch it under the top skin. This worked fine. The holes were laid out at 30 mm spacing and pilot holes drilled. The the A5 holes replaced the pilot holes.
The holes where it meets the side skin were also drilled and clico'd. Altogether this was a lot of work but it went in a straightforward way. One problem was where the drilled hole ran into the upper engine mounts which are very hard steel. I did not drill through them but will rivet the skins outside of them.
Although the top forward skin is now fitted, it will be removed, deburred and corrosion treated. Then it will be set aside until the end of the project. It will be left off while the instrument panel is wired completely.
