The vertical tail was closed out by bonding the left vertical skin in place while the aircraft was still in the jig. All the ribs were drilled with 3/16" vent and drain holes. The rib surfaces were prepped for bonding and a 5/16" hole was drilled through the top rib in the rudder to allow a long 1/4" rod to be placed down through the top of the rudder and all the way through all three hinges. This will allow quick and easy removal during fitting of the rudder leading edge later on.
Clecos were placed every 2-3" along all edge surfaces except the trailing edge. Flox was applied to the bonding surfaces and the skin was laid on from the leading edge to align the cleco holes. The trailing edge was clamped together with angle aluminum on both sides to ensure the edge was straight. A square tube was placed along the spar and the aluminum formers were clamped in place to hold the skin tight against the ribs.
Surfaces prepped & hinge pin hole drilled in the top rib.
