Wow... this canopy frame is taking more time than I thought it would.
- Started the day by filing and sanding the angle assembly on the right side of the plane to match the fuselage shape. - Fit, refitted, and checked the location of the angles before attaching. (There comes a time when you just need to go for it and drill...) - Clamped the cabin frame in place and made sure everything was fitting correctly one last time. (I'd hate to screw up the holes in the fuselage.) - Started attaching the angles by drilling through the pre-drilled skin holes into the angles. (These will be drilled larger and tapped for the screws. - Used a long angle iron to check that the front of the angles are parallel with the channel. - Drilled the #10 holes through the angles into the 705F channel. (Both sides) Test fitted the frame again. (Hmmm... it still fits:-) - Drilled and tapped the two holes (through skin) - Countersunk holes - dimpled skin - Drilled the other two holes for the outside flush bolts into the cabin frame. - Countersunk so skin will fit over the top (I had written on the skin... DO NOT DRILL. I was afraid I would drill all four holes through the skin.) - Drilled the two interior holes into the angles from the frame.
Rear center channel - I have had the center channel clecoed in place for the correct cabin frame angle - Inserted the F-732F bar between the channel and the skin. (Drilled for #3 rivets by mistake the first time. Re-drilled for # 4) - Measured, marked, and drilled the forward part of the channel to the angle on the cabin frame.
It is amazing how rigid and sturdy the cabin frame has become. Until everything was bolted and clecoed into place, I was worried about it's strenth.) -
