Forward Fuselage
Progress on the plane continues in spurts. I recently fit the bulkhead and ribs that make up the structure behind the instrument panel. Once these were clecoed in place, I fit the top skin (F-771). Most of the holes lined up great, as I’ve come to expect, but the last couple out towards the sides were a little off, but not a show-stopper. Overall the skin was very tight and hard to get in place.
When fitting the spacer and UHMW blocks for the canopy hinge, the directions have you peel back the top skin to drill the bolt holes. It was easier to transfer some of the holes from the top skin to a smaller piece of scrap — just as effective, but more room to work. I did the same thing drilling the center rib to the firewall via the F-743 angle.
I decided not to install the canopy quick release mechanism behind the panel. It’s not practical to think there is anything quick about it, really. There is no provision to make the gas struts quick release, and I’ve never heard of anyone making the slots on the forward fuselage skin that are needed to allow the canopy frame to clear at the hinge points. This arrangement has some small value as far as maintenance is concerned, but none in an “eject canopy” scenario. So, I’ll be using bolts in place of the quick release mechanism and I’ll have to dive under the panel (or through the access holes if decide to do those) to get to them. You can see I replaced the whole thing with a single stiffener.
I also broke out the proseal so I could seal the brake reservoir to the firewall. It’s hard to see in the picture. Then I cleaned up some of the excess proseal around the firewall recess. With the flange of the recess behind the firewall, it looks pretty good, IMO. Also in this picture, you can see the fitting beneath the brake reservoir, it’s for the fuel injection purge value return line. I also made the retaining bar across the top of the battery box so it can go in the stock position, on the forward edge of the battery, or the more convenient spot, next to the firewall.
