Brief Description: Leg intersection fairings, front gear leg fairing
I have really been struggling with how to align the gear leg fairings. Vans has a method in the plans that I just could not get my mind around.
I thought about it last night and came up with a wood fixture that made it easy. The goal is to have two parallel strings lined up with the aircraft center line and just either side of the leg fairing. Alignment is particularly important as the aerodynamic shape can affect how the plane flies if out of alignment.
I cut two 24" 1 X 6. Setting one on the floor in front of the gear leg, I traced a line down the gear leg. It turned out to be 43 degrees. Making a cut line at a right angle to the trace, cut two identical boards. I made a series of parallel lines on the top of the boards while clamped together to help line up the strings fore and aft. I then mounted the boards 12" apart with a base and cross brace. I added screws on each side so I could stretch two strings.
It is easier to show a picture below than describe.
Using a straight edge I lined the fixture up with the aircraft center line. Lined up the leg fairings and drilled the intersection fairings, left, right, top and bottom.
I trimmed and started adding the mounting hinge of the front leg fairing.
leg fairing alignment jig
Alignment jig on right leg
completed right pant, leg fairing and intersection fairings
