After the thrill of the engine being hung, we had to get back to the more mundane. We began by putting all the clecoes in and I climbed over the spar box and under the temporary panel and Claude drove rivets. Even with many pillows, it was UNCOMFORTABLE! Even with ear muffs it was LOUD under there. We got over half of the rivets driven but we had to use all 5 of our bucking bars and all of the tricks we have learned over the past year. It still amazes me that all the rivet holes line up even around corners and compound curves! We were concerned that we would not be able to get the skin down completely at its junction with the side skin but it all fit perfectly. Claude really pushed hard before he squeezed the trigger and the skins just came down! See Image #1. Image #2 also shows the rivet lines we finished but I just HAD to include a shot of the engine. Imagine an engine without a bit of grease or oil on it and the paint sparkling grey! Imagine, the engine on and most of the riveting done and we will not have had the kit for a year until the 29th. of May, five days hence. We are now at 1040 hours total time. Again engine on in just over a 1000 hours, GREAT! By the way, now with the engine hung, the center of gravity is forward and we can take the saw horses out. It feels great to get up in the plane and feel it "bounce" on its tires! I LIKE IT!
