Managed to get a few hours in the workshop this afternoon. Removed the Tom Clark fastback top skin from the fuselage and trimmed to size. Re-fitted to check the fit (man, it looks good!) and then removed again. Took the clear plastic covering from the top side and I can tell you this: if you think the blue plastic that Vans has on their sheets is a pain, then you should try this stuff! Its way thinner and stickier. The slightest surface imperfection causes it to tear; it was a real bear getting it off!!
Next job will be edge-finishing, deburring & dimpling prior to primer. Before it gets riveted on though I want to do everything else down the fuselage such as running strobe and tail light wires, finishing the rudder cable exit fairings, making provision for the ELT anternna wiring, etc, etc.
With the top skin off I got distracted for half an hour making the ELT mounting plate from .125" plate. I know that is quite thick, but I wanted the ELT mount to be absolutely solid to avoid any chance of accidental activation. I have no idea how sensitive they are, but it is only a small-ish plate so I think the weight penalty will be negligible. I would have done the strobe power supply mount as well but I don't have any .063" sheet large enough.
