Another bits and pieces day. I guess it all helps. First job was to look at fitting the VS which I had concerns about due to the raised turtledeck of the Tom Clark fastback mod. My concerns were well founded. After a series of trial fits and trims it was apparent that I wouldn't be able to keep the existing forward most rivet on the nose rib. I thus trimmed straight through the rivet with the dremel and put a new blind rivet further along (see photo). This gave me the clearance I need and will be covered by a fairing anyway. I shall also put some proseal right into the nose of the VS to help guard against vibration of what is left of the nose rib flanges. I haven't yet bolted the VS until I do the proseal thing.
With the VS cleco'd in place I was also able to make and drill a 7/16" hole for a snap bushing which will route the tail strobe/nav light wire. I've put this right next to the VS rear spar so the whole VS can be removed if necessary without upsetting the wiring. With the strobe wire temporarily fitted I can see where I will need to put cable tie mounts on the inside of the fuselage.
