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Jeff & Jackie's RV-8 Project
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Date: 9-15-2007
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Number of Hours: 4.75
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Manual Reference: 8-35 / 8-36
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Brief Description: Fuselage assembly
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Completed as many tasks as I could, given that I am waiting for the fuel pump and filter from Vans, and cannot assemble the side skins until I've sorted those out. First thing I did was clean and primer the two F-1048-D brackets. Next, I looked forward in the instructions to see what smaller 'sub-assemblies I might be able to complete.
I installed nutplates onto the baggage rib angles, then riveted the angles to the baggage ribs. I found that the -4 rivets called for in the plans were too short so I used -5's instead. Then both ribs are riveted to the F-807 bulkhead on the fuselage. I also riveted the F-807 to the F-813 outboard seat ribs.
Next up was installing nutplates onto the F-888 mid-longerons which I found I had completely forgotten during assembly. Arse. I had to drill and countersink the holes when the parts were already primered. Ah well, I'll primer over them next time I have some mixed up. After the nutplates were installed onto the longerons, they got back-riveted to the F-824 side skins. Also installed nutplates around the inspection cover openings.
Finally, last job before I quit for the day was the assembly of the rear two bulkheads and the tailwheel mount. I found the riveting here particularly tricky and had to drill out numerous attempts. Even now I'm not 100% happy with it and may still drill out some of them and have another go. I have to be careful not to enlarge the holes or I could be in worse trouble. Once again, though, I found the Vans rivet call outs woefully inadequate here. They call for -3.5's and I used -4.5's which, when I was setting them properly, came out much better.
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Baggage ribs
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F-888 longerons & F-824 side skins
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The bits at the very back!
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