Dec 11, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 12 - (2.1 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

I finished section 26. Baggage floor ribs were installed and riveted to the skin. Parts for section 27 were picked up.

https://youtu.be/bKqOS6Hiwkg

  Dec 10, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 11 - (6.3 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Installing baggage ribs and elevator control bearing.

For the first time, I'm using these pull / blind rivets called Cherrymax. What a neat installation. These are required for the support of the steps to climb into the airplane. The structure has a welded / powder-coated steel piece that is very strong to support the full weight of a person getting on board. The Cr rivet goes to hold this piece in place. (see picture 198.8)

After completing the build of the substructure I started installing the ribs onto the baggage area spar. and that is when I realized I had used two ribs in reversed positions. The mistake required me to drill out those strong CR rivets and re-install a few 470D4-4 rivets too. One little misread on the instruction and a lot of re-work. Thankfully, the drill out went pretty smoothly and I had the exact number of spare CR rivets to replace the 4 I had to drill out. (pic 198.28, 198.29 and 198.30).

https://youtu.be/LwnGl-5AZ3Q

  Dec 08, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 10 - (8.2 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

In this work session, I washed and primed the bottom skins and attached the bottom to the seat ribs sub-structure. In the process, I started by attaching some components to the bottom skin and then riveting the ribs.

It is getting harder and harder to set the rivets as parts are getting larger.

The last step of the day was to blind rivet the second ribs from outboard to inboard. This a very tricky location and I had to use the hand puller due to the restricted access.

https://youtu.be/sw4wmEFyU84

  Dec 07, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 9 - (6.3 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Preparing floor skins, floor skin stiffeners, and braces.

https://youtu.be/dKdbydD5NfQ

  Dec 06, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 8 - (3.8 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Continued working on section 26. This time I am riveting and bolting the seat ribs into the main spar and baggage floor spar. Following that, I attached seal belt attach points and started preparing the floor skins. The floor skins have some special cutouts and hole enlargements that need to be done prior to priming. I will do the dimpling after priming which turned out to be an easier process and saves some scotch bright pads too.

https://youtu.be/ldEUfMkjmFA

  Dec 05, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 7 - (4.3 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

In this work session, I worked on preparing the cover ribs for wing spar attachment. The process of fluting the side ribs to accommodate aircraft fuselage curvature was very smart and interesting. I have fluted before to remove curvature and make parts straight and it was interesting to intentionally do the opposite.

https://youtu.be/5QyJ6NtNXp8

  Dec 04, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 6 - (2.2 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Priming mid-fuselage lower structure parts. This was the largest batch ever. I had to use a second table to accommodate all parts. I decided to prime the skins on another batch because I had no place to let them dry.

600ml of primer used.

https://youtu.be/U22zE6_Z99I

  Dec 03, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 5 - (3.2 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Biggest washing batch ever. Finished washing and scuffing all parts, except skins, for priming.

https://youtu.be/QjjJYWL3g7g

  Nov 30, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 4 - (3.2 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

With all holes deburred, the parts are ready to be cleaned for priming. The next step was to prepare the floor skins by clecoing them together and marking the places where the landing gear will be installed and where the skins will overlap.

https://youtu.be/3kqFG2MCyxE

  Nov 28, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 3 - (1.7 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Finished demurring all large holes and all edges.

https://youtu.be/i6cVBXmGrAY

  Nov 27, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 2 - (3.6 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

Deburring parts for section 26. This section has lots of parts and lots of small parts. it is a tediously long process...

https://youtu.be/TdTF3h7E9Wc

  Nov 26, 2022     Section 26 - Mid Fuse Lower Structure 1 - (2.4 hours)       Category: Sec 26 MFL

In this work session, I started preparing the parts for the mid-fuselage lower structure. Initially, I gathered all parts for the section and started peeling out the blue vinyl and stickers. All parts needed are available. Today I also sent a message to Vans asking them to delete the 2 COM-3-5 bearings from the back ordered bag 3076. I don't know why the remaining items are taking so long to be shipped. it will complete almost 2 years of wait time...

https://youtu.be/wgT6QWSpw4o