30-03: Installed the wings. After placing gaskets at the wing roots the holes in the spars do not line up easily anymore. I used a tailpipe expander to gradually pull the wings inboard and then inserted the Fuselage Pins. This is essentially a 1-man operation. I saw the tip on the VAF forum and it really works and makes wing installation easier.
34-03: Installed the Canopy with the new C-1216-1 Gas Struts but there is interference between the fairing (front and bottom) and the Fuselage. It seems the fairing contracted inward since fabrication. Filed the edges but the fairing still catches the Fuselage. Placed washers (NAS 1149FO463P) between the Canopy Frame and the Fuselage (2 on the left and 1 on the right) which reduced the interference but now there is a gap between the Canopy Fairing and the Upper Fwd Fuselage Skin. I will need to remove the washers or replace with thinner ones and sand the fairing some more.
MM 1-17: Raised the aircraft so I can remove the wheels to re-torque the bolts. The 25-foot high sawhorse placed under the aft fuselage was not high enough for the wheels to clear the ground. Placed 1/2 inch pieces of wood under the legs of the sawhorse and got good clearance between the wheels and the floor. Will continue work on the wheels and Canopy Fairing later.
