Nov 02, 2023     FAA Category: Inspection

John Jensen from Fresno FAA was contacted and an inspection date/time were arranged for his team's inspection. They arrived on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. A Special Airworthiness Certificate was subsequently issued with map boundaries and allowed airports for take-off and landings.

  Aug 22, 2023     Cockpit openning Category: Fuselage

Two sets of tubing were applied to the edge of the exposed aluminum. The base tubing is a 1/4" diameter nylon tube. Vertical holes were drilled along its length and a polyethelene sealant was applied to adhere the nylon tubing to the aluminum edge. After this was allowed to set, a 1/2" diameter water hose was fitted on top of the nylon tubing and adhered with the same sealant.

  Aug 22, 2023     Seat belts Category: Fuselage

A four point seat belt arrangement was purchased with the hardware bolts. The bolts were installed in new holes drilled through existing truss plates of the fuselage frame. The top belts were routed on top of the half round seat bulkhead. The removeable cowling over the fuel tank was modified to allow the seat belts to pass into the cockpit area, over the pilot's shoulders.

  Aug 22, 2023     ID plate Category: Inspection

A brass plate was stamped with the proper identification: builder's name; model, serial no. It was mounted on the fuselage, left side, near the rear of the cockpit openning.

  Aug 22, 2023     bungee1 Category: Landing Gear

Inspection of the landing gear system revealed a pinched bungee cord. That cord was removed and new cords were purchased. It was decided to increase the size of the vertical bolt for brake stabilization and install a preventive clip for the bungee to ride on.

  Aug 22, 2023     N numbers       Category: Paint / Decals

One of our team members had applied the N numbers onto the rudder surface. Recent correspondence with the FAA, Fresno office, indicated that the numbers should not be on the rudder, but rather on the vertical stablizer. The originals were removed and new numbers were placed on the vertical stablizer. We used 3"+ hign letters with a "Times Roman" font.

  Mar 23, 2023     engine start/taxi Category: Testing

Initial engine start has been completed. Oil and fuel systems seem to be operating properly. Engine seems to be running slightly rich, but needs to be primed to start.
Thrust was measured by a fish scale tied to the rear of the fuselage and then attached to a car hitch. A maximum thrust of 170 lbs was measured at full throttle. Full throttle only produced 1900 RPMs, manual says the max. could be 2500 with cruise at 2200 rpm. We have a digital tachometer, but no secondary instrumentation to validate the tach in the panel - we tried a hand held rpm meter from Amazon.com, but the bright sunlight seemed to interfere with the readings.
Initial taxi tests were successful. Main gear seems to roll nicely - the tail wheel is not allowing a sharp turning radius - a modification of the cable/plate connection at the tailwheel location has been installed - will test this during the next taxi event.

Weight & Balance completed on 21Jun23: 5 cases completed as required by the FAA with following results:
1. Empty Weight: 448 lbs; c.g. @ 0.41
2. Gross Weight: Pilot: Lee, full fuel, no baggage:684. lbs.; c.g. = 0.26
3. Most Forward: same as #2 above
4. Most Rearward: Pilot: Willis Ramsdell, zero fuel, no baggage: c.g. = 0.27
5. 1st Flight conditions: Pilot: Willis Ramsdell, 5.5 gal of fuel, no baggage, hand held radio: c.g. = 0.27

  Feb 16, 2023     foam & fabric       Category: Interior Finish

Decided to fabricate our own seat cushion and back. My wife Carol is good with a sewing machine. Brought her the pressboard seat and back along with the foam which was cut with a band saw.

  Feb 16, 2023     Oil Temperature gauge Category: Engine

Initial engine start showed this gauge pegged at full span. We replaced our existing auto wires and connection block with a single run of aircraft grade wire in a shielded conduit from the temperature sensor to the instrument panel a run of about 8 feet. Gauge is now operating properly.

  Feb 16, 2023     Initial engine start       Category: Engine

Rolled the plane out into the bright sunshine for its first start-up. Attached the rear vertical member of the fuselage to the hitch of a Honda CR-V. Removed the air filter and squirted carburetor start fluid into the intake tube - engine came to life after connecting enough battery power to the starter. Much smoke and oil was spitting from the exhaust stacks (as described in the engine manual) on initial start. Turned the fuel to "ON" position - engine ran nicely - great sound. Varied the throttle from idle to full - could only get 1900 rpm at full throttle. Only ran the engine for about 5 minutes before shut down. Oil temperature gauge not operating properly, but fuel and oil systems seem to be working OK.

  Jan 05, 2023     cables and pulleys       Category: Controls

Installation of pulleys, brackets, cables, pin restraints, turnbuckles. Careful routing around foot step in the fuselage. Cables needed to go to the top and bottom of the elevator, both left and right sides. Cables from rudder pedals (custom built w/ springs), to thru a ferrule on the outside of the fuselage to another set of pulleys. Another cable added sort of midway in the fuselage framing to attach to the tailwheel. Stops for the rudder and elevators are being installed (no photos yet).

Photos added.
Turnbuckles and ends with hardware ordered from Aircraft Spruce.

All cables, pulleys, turnbuckles installed. Stops installed for rudder and ailerons.

  Oct 02, 2022     preliminary cable routing       Category: Controls

Previously, a half circle cutout at the side of the fuselage was completed to allow for foot step. The inside of this cutout was covered with half of a baseball hat - I'll include a photo later. The control cables from the rudder and control stick must run from those forward locations to the tail feathers in the back of the plane around the vertical struts. The locations of the pulleys and cables in important to allow the pilot to step into the fuselage cutout and then into the fuselage. A few nylon stringlines were used simulate the future cables. After several tries, a suitable arrangement was decided upon and now the fittings are being fabricated for the pulleys to support the cable routing.
Schematic was drawn and a detailed parts list was developed for turnbuckles, shackles, bolts, clevis pins, etc. - ordered parts from Aircraft Sruce - parts arrived 12Oct22.
Brackets are being fabricated from 16 and 22 gauge steel flat stock.

  Aug 23, 2022     Exhaust pipes Category: Engine

Terry L. acquired stainless steel pipe and fabricated three separated exhaust pipes

  Aug 23, 2022     Oil and Fuel Tanks       Category: Engine

Terry Lucas made cardboard models at the fuselage locations for the oil and fuel tanks. He obtained the aluminum raw materials, welded the tanks, tested and sealed the tanks.

  Aug 11, 2022     Angle set, safetied Category: Propeller

The propeller angle has been adjusted and safey wire attached.
Looking forward to engine start - hopefully next month.

  Aug 11, 2022     Tail cone reattached       Category: Fuselage

Work on the propellor and fuselage was easier with the tail cone off the center section. That work is now complete, the tail cone is now bolted on and the cross-bracing is being adjusted/tightened. The horizontal stabilizer is being attached, new proper bolts are being located. The remaining tail feathers will follow shortly.

  Aug 11, 2022     New throttle control Category: Fuel System

The carburetor on the Verner 3V has a very short operating length. Two existing throttle housings were combined to provide a better movement by the pilot to modulate the carburetor. No testing to date, maybe next month.

  Jun 22, 2022     Cockpit combing       Category: Fuselage

Purchased two sets of tubing to protect the pilot from injury on the edge of the aluminum of the cockpit. An inner nylon tubing, 1/4" inside diameter - slit manually for the full length. The larger 3/8" tubing (a small 1" segment can be seen in the photo) will be glued to the outside of the inner nylon tube. We are planning to use polyurethane sealant, similar to car window bonding to secure the tubings to the frame.
We have fabricated a deep "U" support for the cockpit tunnel aluminum to support the pilot's weight while entering and leaving the cockpit area. Final fuselage fabric can now be applied as these supports are completed.
The front part of the cockpit skin near the instrument panel was drilled and fitted to allow the panel to be folded down.
The sides of the cockpit were riveted - the desired stiffness of the deep "U" was a pleasant result.
The two layered, split tubing combing can now be applied.

  Jun 22, 2022     battery hold down       Category: Engine

A 3D printed box was donated to the project - custom fit for this battery size. Concern of security of the battery and its continued operation during flight has prompted us to use through bolts in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

  Jun 22, 2022     hydraulic disc brakes complete       Category: Landing Gear

Final connection of cables from operating handle at the stick to the hydraulic operators at the wheels. These are simultaneous applied brakes with the single handle, there is an internal compensator where the cables connect at the handle. The cables were routed to the brakes on each wheel. The cables mechanically operate the hydraulic cyclinders at each wheel - these are not directional brakes - only for airplane stopping straight ahead for obstacle avoidance and end of taxiway runup.

  Apr 27, 2022     Smoke fuses wire lights       Category: Instrument Panel

Wiring finished and tested - only three fuses (auto 12V type) melted during testing. The starter solenoid needed a larger fuse than initially anticipated. This fuse upgrade required a wire upgrade from #14 to #12 from the battery to the master switch. You can see the master switch "ON" with the red LED on the toggle to the left of the panel, the fuel pump also has a red LED in its toggle. The magneto switch has a green LED along with a green push button for the starter. The TACH shows a "O" in its screen because the engine is not running - we have tested the tach by removing the spark plugs and turning the engine by hand. The sensor is a small magnet glued to the starter ring of the engine. The Oil Temp/Press gauges are from "GlowShift" - their dial indicator glows bright pink and the background color of the gauges can be changed with a small button on the gauge to reveal seven different colors. The Hobbs meter is also operational. I'm very pleased with the electrical system, hopefully a better photo can be posted later.
Upgraded Master and Magneto switches from slide on to bolt on for security - critical switches need to stay connected during engine operation.
As noted in the fuel system, an additonal fuel pump was added; therefore, an additional ON/OFF switch was added. The original switch was moved to above
Redundant safety: an additional fuel pump was added; new switch on panel.
the hobbs meter and the 2nd switch was put in place horizontally with that one. A new fuse was wired to keep the redundancy of the system.

  Mar 25, 2022     Turtle decks       Category: Fuselage

Turtle decks for the cockpit area and the main fuselage at the wing are now being fitted. Bulkheads and support angles have been fabricated and some riveted into place. Holes for the gas tank and fuel float indicator have been drilled accurately. Nut plates and screws will attach the front and back parts of the fuselage turtle deck along with Dzus fasteners along the sides for maintenance of the fuel tank, fuel pump and access to the battery and wiring.

  Mar 25, 2022     Wiring       Category: Instrument Panel

Wiring of the electrical system continues. Battery box (3D printed) will hold battery behind the seat. Electrical strip useful behind the seat also - the fuse box is seen in the background. Need to finish the "battery charge light", fuel pump switch, and Hobbs meter wiring.

  Feb 09, 2022     Battery cables and sensor wires Category: Elec. System

Purchased #8 red and black copper wire, size recommended by the engine manufacturer, to energize the starter from the battery. Installed through firewall and provided at ground at this location.
Wiring has also been extended from the tachometer sensor at the engine to the panel mounted electronic display. Oil pressure and sensor wires have also been installed from the sensors to the panel. Fuel pump wires have been extended to the terminal block behind the seat and will be extended forward soon.
Battery run down - ex. master switch bad - replaced with new switch.
All instruments and circuits seem to be operational. Ready for 1st flight.

  Feb 07, 2022     Electrical Schematic       Category: Instrument Panel

Autocad drawing of the electrical system. All wires, fuses, large wire sizes, and bulkheads are shown. The only big electrical draw is the starter. All other uses are very small, approximately 1 amp or less. Purchased an electrical fuse holder with six circuits and grounds

  Feb 07, 2022     Fold down center section       Category: Instrument Panel

The initial mounting is shown. The center section of the panel is hinged at the bottom and will swing into the cockpit for maintenance. The basic wiring diagram has been completed. Glow Shift gauges for oil temperature/pressure have been purchased (bottom left and right). They have an antique looking white background, but after energizing with the engine running, a choice of seven colors are available. An altimeter, at the top left, is rather crude, but should suffice for the mission of this aircraft.

  Feb 07, 2022     Hoses: engine to oil cooler       Category: Engine

Engine has been bolted to the airframe and the final hose installations have been completed through the firewall. Each cylinder has an oil return hose and there is an oil supply hose to the engine crankcase.
Hoses purchased from Green Rubber Kennedy Ag supply house in Modesto.

  Feb 07, 2022     Tachometer/Hobbs meter       Category: Instrument Panel

The tachometer is driven by a magnet mounted (J-B weld) on the starter driven fly wheel. The sensor has been bolted to the engine case with a small steel tubing from the scrap pile. The tachometer on the panel will read in digital numbers, up to 9,999. The readout might not be suitable in full sunlight, we'll find out after the early engine starts.

Hobbs meter purchased through Amazon: Great Lakes Skipper. Planning to wire an indicator light adjacent to the meter when the Master Switch is "ON", meter will be running. A reminder to turn the Master Switch to the "OFF" position after engine shut down.

  Feb 07, 2022     Roundel       Category: Paint / Decals

Painting roundels on the wing surfaces. These roundels were originally proposed for the United States during WWI. I decided to use them on this aircraft because it is being built and housed in the U.S.

  Dec 25, 2021     hardware Category: Elec. System

Some of the electrical hardware was in my existing inventory: master switch (lighted red), exciter switch (lighted green), wire, connectors, and tie wraps. Needed to order terminal strips and six position fuse box (has 6 ground lugs also).

  Dec 25, 2021     Craftsmen Category: Workshop

The following individuals have spent many hours at the Wednesday workshops and have brought their own expertise and skills to this airplane construction project:
Ralph Gregory, James Lindly, Terry Lucas, Ken Scott, Ron Smith, James Davis, Dave

  Dec 25, 2021     Schematic       Category: Elec. System

PDF drawing of electrical system: Battery, engine gauges (oil Press & Temp), tach, terminal strip, master switch, fuse box, battery charge light, and ground lugs.

  Dec 25, 2021     Inspection Category: Inspection

N902DH was applied for and accepted by the FAA
Registration application was submitted on 23Sep21
Registration certificate has been issued on 21Jan22

Contacted Fresno FAA by email for inspection. They are ready to schedule when we have completed the airplane including the panel and placards.

Sent an email to Jason Alves, Fresno FAA, 6Jul23, to request inspection of aircraft.

  Oct 01, 2021     wings       Category: Paint / Decals

Dark grey latex primer has been applied with an airless sprayer on fabricate sealed with adhesive. This will act as UV protection of the fabric. Color coats will be applied on this primer.

  Jul 08, 2021     Tachometer       Category: Instrument Panel

Considering an electronic gauge for the tank. Tank is molded plastic, approx. 9" deep, made by Moeller from Tennessee. Found 9" Reed sending unit on Amazon made by Moeller. Sent email questions to Moeller, 1Mar20: 1) Is the 9" gauge proper for the 12 gallon tank?, 2) How does the Reed gauge fit into the existing 1-1/2" tank hole
See the comments about the fuel tank - vertical wire with cork has been recommended - if so, then a mirror will be required for the pilot viewing?

  Jul 26, 2020     Engine: purchase, instruments       Category: Engine

Les Homan has convinced me to purchase a Verner 3-Cylinder Radial, "Scarlet" to power the DH2.
It seems to have slightly more power than the prototype and should weigh less according to Les H.

Purchased the engine and picked up in Vallejo: $8,334

Les has agreed to fabricate the engine mount.


All of the instruments have now been purchased:
1. Airspeed indicator: Hall tube, no connection to the engine
2. Oil Pressure and Oil Temperature gauges from GlowShift along with sensors
3. Tachometer: magnet will be attached to the propeller base and the sensor onto the engine block.
4.

  Jul 22, 2020     structure       Category: Wings

Ron Smith has been busy fabricating and fitting the ribs to the wings. We purchased extra 1/2" dia. tubing for the bottom of some 1/2 ribs supplied, 30 pieces arrived from Aircraft Spruce. The spacing of ribs are being determined. Additionally, Ron has fabricated small sheet metal plates to be fitted on the wings for the fabric to be attached at the vertical strut locations.

Aileron skeletons are fabricated, trailing edges have been shaped and are ready to be attached. Hinges being prepared, aileron mounting to the wing rear spars will be soon.

Aileron slave parts needed to ordered from AA and then fitted to the ailerons.

Cutting material, 0.02 Al. sheet, into 4" wide strips to cover the gaps between the center section and the outer wings. A small plate is riveted to the rib and then a clip is riveted to the plate - the "U" shaped clip will be used to attach the strip to the wing. Edging material for the 4" strip, to protect the wing fabric, is being glued to both sides. Additional clips will be mounted to the interior of the strips to stabilize the movement of the strip and to install springs to hold the strips in place.

Most of the ribs and other parts of the wing skeletons have been completed.

All skeleton parts now fabricated. Cross bracing wires are being fitted and adjusted to make the structure square.

Ron Smith has painted the wing stuts to look like wood members.

Needed to request the slave parts to drive the ailerons from Baslee - received and installed the connection plates in the ailerons.

Covering for the wings is being measured. Needed to call Baslee - more material needed to cover the additional 2' of wing on each top, bottom, left, and right.

Also, call to Baslee about the adhesive for the cover material - needed to order from Amazon.com - 1 gallon - opaque color, we added green food coloring.

All covering material received. Glue application to frames, fabric applied, heat shrink material, holes burned for rivets, tapes applied, final heat shrink.

Gray primer is being applied after the bare fabric is saturated with adhesive.

Chalk white latex exterior is applied with an airless paint gun inside the hangar. Most pieces: wings, ailerons, tail feathers have been completed by Xmas, 2021.

Robert Baslee emphasized the importance of closure strips between the center section and the outer wings. Clips have been attached to all the ends (8 total, lt/rt; top/bot). 4" wide Strips of 0.020 Al have been cut as closures and vinyl edging has been glued on to rest on the fabric. Internal clips and springs still need to be fabricated and installed.

  Apr 02, 2020     Tail boom       Category: Empennage

The elevator was the second structure built from the kit pieces. Slightly more complicated shape. AutoCad drawings were completed in accordance with the plans given and used for guidance in drawing the full sized shapes on the work tables. Again the aluminum tubes were shaped by bending around round jigs, ribs fabricated, gussets placed, shaped, and riveted; hinges installed along with control horns.

The tail boom extends from the rear of the wing rear spars so the tail group, horizontal stablizer, elevator and rudder can be installed.

Terry Lucas modified parts supplied by Aerodrome Aeroplanes and Sonex for our final tail wheel assembly. Painted and installed 12/2/20.

The tail boom section is being reinstalled after the engine and fuselage fabric were completed. Installing the tail feathers - review of Baslee video shows AN4 bolts, approx. 6" long needed to make the horizontal stabilizer parallel with the fuselage longerons.

  Apr 02, 2020     Rudder       Category: Empennage

The rudder was the first structure to be constructed of the kit parts. This construction showed us the basic techniques of shaping and riveting the parts, spars, ribs, gussets, control horn, and hinges.

  Mar 04, 2020     tank       Category: Fuel System

This is the Moeller tank supplied with the kit from Aerodrome Aeroplanes. It is a 12 gallon poly tank with a float indicator mounted in a 1 1/2" dia. hole.

Discussion with Robert Baslee indicates a cork float with a wire would be the easest thing to do. The existing float gage and indicator will be removed and replaced with a new plug and extended wire. It will need to be marked at the 8 gallon level since the pilot weight is based on an eight gallon weight of 48 lbs (6 lbs/gal x 8 gallons) and the gross weight of the aircraft. Current Gross weight listed as 561 lbs, empty weight at 343 lbs; therefore, useful load = 561-343=218 lbs. And 218 lbs-48 lbs fuel = 170 lbs for the pilot. Note: An additional 4' of wingspan was added to the kit by the designer, Robert Baslee. This will increase the total empty weight and effectively increase the gross weight. Mr. Baslee did not indicate the new values of gross weight or empty weight.

Decided to fabricate an aluminum tank instead of the plastic tank supplied. Terry Lucas has a source of aluminum material and can do the welding. A mock up of cardboard was made and the initial tank with an interior baffle was test fit. Location inside the frame was confirmed. Plumbing tape strapping will be used to support the tank. Terry will weld on clips to the exterior of the tank to capture any horizontal movement.

Again, after discussion of placement, we have changed the location to a higher position - closer to that shown in the plans. Terry has welded up a new tank that will fit under the turtle deck and above the top set of longerons.

Considering the engine's requirement of having a fuel pump, it was decided to add a 2nd fuel pump to the fuel system. It was added adjacent to the existing pump at the bottom of the fuel tank. Another switch was added so separate operation of the pumps can be realized - the Pilot's Handbook should include the alternating operation of the pumps after each flight.

  Mar 01, 2020     Kit cost       Category: DH2 Kit

Ordered kit from Aerodrome Aeroplanes in Nov, 2018. Cost included crate, wheel covers, and machine gun. Kit received in March, 2019.

  Mar 01, 2020     airspeed indicator       Category: Instrument Panel

Hall tube purchased from Aircraft Spruce. Tube calibrated from 0 to 80 mph. Cruise speed of DH2 listed as 54 mph. Discussion with Robert Baslee indicated pressure tube in front of fuselage is OK - should extend about 12" ahead of structure.

  Feb 26, 2020     Cross Bracing       Category: Wings

Installed drag/anti-drag wires inside the 3rd outer panel, 15Apr20.
Wing cross-bracing installed; both longitudinally and transverse. Extra turnbuckles purchased for future wing adjustment.

  Feb 19, 2020     etrex 30x Category: Avionics

Considering installing a Garmin Etrex 30x as an instrument for navigation, compass, and altimeter. Should work well with the mission of this plane: Day VFR, short range.

Ordered GlowShift instruments for Oil temperature and Oil pressure.

Ordered a digital tachometer.

Ordered an analog altimeter with a turn&bank indicator

Airspeed indicator will be "Hall" with a plastic disk that floats on the ram air pressure. Ram air will be provided with a tube from the instrument out through the nose of the fuselage - initially, 12".

  Feb 12, 2020     turnbuckles Category: Wings

Turnbuckles for adjusting the tension on the cross bracing and keeping the airframe square all three axes. Some large turnbuckles came from Aerodrome Aeroplanes (AA) with the kit. Additional turnbuckles were purchased from Aircraft Spruce (AS) ( 4 @ $30 ea.) and Amazon (Am) ( 6 @ $30 total). The Amazon turnbuckles are stainless units for marine use in salt water and the AS units have a specific tension rating. Installed large turnbuckles from AA on the 1/8" dia. lifting wires and the smaller AS turnbuckles on the lifting wires on the outer wing bays. The Am turnbuckles will be installed in the longitudinal direction to allow wing disassembly for transportation and hangar storage.

  Nov 20, 2019     swage       Category: Tools

Bought a swage tool with multiple size crimp sizes at Home Depot. Some difficulty crimping some of the sleeves because of the size of the tool and the location of the sleeves close to the thimbles and structural members.

  Nov 08, 2019     Culver/Warp Drive       Category: Propeller

Considering the purchase of a Culver prop. A Culver prop was used on the DH2 prototype attached to a Generac engine.
Discussion with the DH2 designer, Robert Baslee, indicates that composite props are stiff and have a tendency to return vibrations back to the crankshaft of the engine. Evidently, several failures on VW engines with composite props. Culver has a chart on their website to recommend a prop pitch. I will order a prop after the geometry of the engine/tail boom and tail wheel are determined.
Estimated cost: less than $700.

November 2020
Les Homan brought his Legal Eagle to the EAA 90 hangar for our inspection. He has mounted a Warp Drive propellor on his Verner engine. I have a Warp Drive propellor on my Zenith 701.
I called Warp Drive for a quote and sent a $200 deposit to reserve a ground adjustable propellor.

The Warp Drive propeller has arrived - beautiful.
Now we have to figure out the proper connection to the Verner drive plate.
Compared the supplied hub with the hub on my Zenith 701 - the supplied hub does not have countersunk holes on the back side of the hub. Talked with Warp Drive - they shipped a new hub at no charge and supplied us connecting bolts at no charge. Fitting the bolts and new hub to engine is now much better - the bolts are slightly long - Ralph took them to his shop and cut a few millimeters off the bolts - now things seem to fit properly.

  Oct 23, 2019     roller       Category: Tools

Purchased a tubing roller from Harbor Freight to shape the center section dihedral of the spars.

  Oct 23, 2019     roller       Category: Tail Feathers

Using roller to form dihedral for main and rear spar members

October 2020
Vertical fin needs modification - the plans were not consistent with the horizontal stablizer. New parts have been ordered from Aerodrome Aeroplanes.
New parts arrived. New vertical fin fabricated and fitted to horizontal stablizer.

  Oct 09, 2019     ldg gear       Category: Landing Gear

Fabricating the gear during the workshops.
Tailwheel fabricated by Terry Lucas from parts supplied by Aerodrome Aeroplanes (AA) and Sonex, Nov. 2020

  Jul 17, 2019     fuselage construction       Category: Fuselage

Fuselage members assembled on work tables and plates riveted for truss. Joined left and right sides of the fuselage trusses with cross members, top and bottom, with additional plates and rivets.
August, 2020: Ken and Lee started the installation of the tail boom members to the rear of the fuselage. A plumb EMT conduit was used to hold the rudder hinge post in place while the plates were drilled and riveted. The vertical tail boom members, TB3 and TB4 are being fitted. Additional material was required because the supplied tubes were too short.
Lee is reviewing the construction video to verify the location of TB4s for the attachment of the horizontal elevator onto the tail boom.

Tailboom structure is now complete. Tail feathers attached.

The firewall pan is now fitted to the fuselage after the engine was removed from the mounts.

Feb 2021: The turtle decks are being fitted to the top of the fuselage - not quite final.

Bottom pan of the fuselage was cut and fitted in the cockpit area - only clecoed into place currently. Rudder bar from kit is now being considered for installation - Lee sat in the cockpit area to find the proper location to attach the rudder bar supports. An 0.040 plate was cut as reinforcement to the pan and a wood sheet is being considered as a wear surface for shoes on the rudder bar. Additional small modifications are necessary before bolting the rudder bar to the bottom pan.

The front of the fuselage is being skinned with aluminum sheets.
Wood seat and seat back installed.

Tailboom and feathers removed for fabric covering on the center section

Center section being covered

  Mar 30, 2019     rudder       Category: Tail Feathers

Layout of rudder and vertical fin members and riveting plates to form skeleton and control horn.

  Mar 17, 2019     Specifications       Category: Research

PDF file of specifications found on the Aerodrome Aeroplane (AA) website and on information in the plans sent from AA. Note: R. Baslee has sent us enough material to extend the each wing 2' (4' overall span) to compensate for the 80% scale which produced a small wing area and a limited gross weight.

  Mar 01, 2019     DH2 photo       Category: DH2 Kit

  Jan 02, 2019     Table build       Category: Workshop

Chapter 90 members building tables for the workshop area in the Chapter's hangar at Oakdale Airport.

All members of the Chapter have been invited to attend weekly build workshops on Wednesday mornings. Coffee will be available along with copious amounts of hangar flying. Sessions are to be adjourned at noon, but sometimes the work continues.

The process of building with aluminum tubing and and plates is different than any of us have experienced and is a great learning experience. The Chapter workshop team are all pilots and have built airplanes.