Brief Description: Modified bottom nose rib/skin for Fastback
Since I plan on adding a Show Planes Fastback modification I needed to modify the VS bottom skin where the VS-705 nose rib attaches. The fastback requires that you angle the nose rib 5 degrees up. I used the instructions provided by Show Planes and started cutting the skin. It was fairly easy with hand cutters. I had previously marked the skin and cut leaving about 1/16" extra material. Then I used a file and squared it up. Both side were even and the skin looked good.
I had issues with the VS-705 nose rib. Since it was tilted 5 degrees up the front of the nose rib seemed to be too wide. I fluted the nose of the rib heavily and I was able to wedge it in. Since the nose rib at the base of the VS is wider than the tip rib, it creates a tapered chord on the VS. This also contributed to the difficulty of fitting the VS-705.
Once I was satisfied I used my angle drill to back drilled the VS-705 with to the skin creating new rivet holes. The very tip of the rib doesn't have a hole, so I measured out one using the rivet spacing and center punched it to keep the drill from wobbling.
Then I removed the VS-705 and primed it. All that fitting scratched off my primer on the front spar and skin. The Krylon tough coat isn't very tough. I may have to re-evaluate my primer choice. I am thinking of using the Stewart System water based primer which is very scratch resistant.
