Brief Description: Riveting the VS Skeleton and Skin
Tonight I began riveting together the skeleton for the Vertical Stabilizer. Then I assembled the skin in place with clecos and began to rivet the skin to the skeleton. The first few rivets at the middle rib, forward of the front spar, were very challenging due to the curvature of the skin at this point. Also, you can't use a pneumatic squeezer for these. They have to be driven with a rivet gun and bucking bar. Reaching inside with the bucking bar is a challenge, especially if you are the one riveting as well. I was happy with how they came out, except for one rivet, which I had to drill out and do again. However, with my practice at drilling out rivets, it was a piece of cake. With these difficult ones out of the way, I called it a night.
Lining up the bucking bar by feel..
Solo riveting.
The inevitable drillout of one rivet. Came out beautiful the second time though.
