A Better Vent Line Routing
I’m postponing the mounting of the empennage for now and pressing on with the forward interior of the fuselage. The instructions suggest that if the interior is to be painted, now is the time. I liked the dark machine gray used in the RV-8, so I am using the same here. This was easier on the RV-8 as it was not a quick-build, so each interior panel or skin could be painted in ideal conditions — laying flat, inside the barn, good lighting. Some of the areas of the QB RV-7 are harder to reach, and I’m doing this outside, so it’s a little more difficult. Anyway, it turned out OK. Much of it will be covered by upholstery in the end anyway, but I’m not certain what will be exposed and what won’t, so I painted everything. I know, I know, more weight, etc. True.
Even though I had already fabricated the fuel tank vent lines per the plans, I was compelled to make another pair after I saw a picture of another RV-7 that routed his differently/better. This way is easier to fabricate and fit to the fuselage. It doesn’t need to dodge the rudder cable and the AL angles on the side of the fuselage. It uses nearly the same length of of tubing, and it almost as high as the standard routing, so I’m expecting it to work fine.
Also in the picture are the NACA vents that are prosealed in place, no rivets needed. The only tricky part is clamping the vents in place as the proseal dries. Once dried, the bond is stronger than the vent itself. I did the same on the RV-8 and didn’t have any problems with it.
