Brief Description: Riveting Ribs to Rear Spar and Spar Caps
I received the new replacement rib VS-1205 from Van’s. I compared it to the rib that I have and found that there is not significant difference in the rib height at the front area. Decided to continue with the rib that I have been working. Did some additional smooth and sanding of the rib at the front end area. It still appears to be a very tight fit but it looks like it is not deforming the skin so I will proceed and hope that I can use a tapered punch to gently align the front most hole when I get the assembly back together. I also trail fit VS-1206 intermediate rib again. It also is very tight but hopefully can be aligned to final position as well. I have decided to proceed with assembly of the complete skeleton and work the fit issues from there. I will do a trial fit of the skeleton after its done to see if things look like they will work. I have some skin cleanup on the inside at the rib locations for Vs-1205 especially from all the trials fits sliding it around into position. Will cleanup those areas and prime before assembly. Completed step 3 on page 06-06. Riveted 2nd nutplate MS21051-1.3 that I had to replace to VS-1208 and VS-1202. Completed step 4 riveting VS-1207 to VS-1202 front spar. Completed step 5 riveting VS-1212 A L&R to VS-1203 rear spar web with LP4-3 rivets. First real duty use of the ATS pneumatic riveter. It worked exceptionally well. Use the wedges to rivet those close to the inside radius of the spar caps. Installed the 6 – AN426AD3-3.5 rivets as well with no problems. I seem to be doing better with the flush rivets with the manual squeezer. They came out nice and flush. Completed steps 6 and 7 riveting VS-1207 and VS-1208 to the rear spar and spar caps at the hole locations not riveted in the previous steps. Also riveted VS-1206 and VS-1205 top rib to the VS-1203 rear spar. Now I have a completed fin structural skeleton.
