I called Fabian to check that I could make the frame removable by using the F-7103B & C attach angles with nutplates and screws instead of riveting them to the frame. He said that it would be no problem but that I also had to make the frame stiffner angle removable. Great, because I had already match drilled the attach angles to the forward fuselage skin using Vans instrument panel.
The F-7103B (L & R) required no modifications since they already had the nutplates riveted and matched the frame hole pattern (which was the same as Vans pattern). The F-7103C (L & R) had different hole patterns and therefore had to be modified (I bought the Center standard kit with the subpanel). I had to drill out the nutplate rivets and then drill new holes to match the frame. With all the drilling which put holes too close together, I had to backup the angles with some strips of aluminum to keep the strength. It was very confusing trying to be sure that the angles would be in the same position as on Vans panel. This was necessary because they had already been match drilled to the skin. The whole process was very tedious, time consuming, and it was easy to make mistakes.
Tomorrow I'll rivet the nutplates to the frame that holds the modular panel pieces to the frame.
The F-7103C (L&R) that were modified screwed to frame.
The F-7103B (L) not modified screwed to the frame.
The frame sitting in fuselage for measurement between left and right fuselage skins.
