Fuselage

[Chuck in Indiana]

You'll wish you had that brake a long time ago.

[Brock]

Perhaps but not yet.
I was laying awake last night trying to figure out how I was going to bend the firewall four sides with the brake.  All I can figure is that the sides are very small and the top/bottom angles not 90deg.  Kinda would like a pan brake option.  Making such a mod would be more than I care for at the moment.

[Brock]

Today I managed to build the firewall and bend it w/o a pan-break.  Used .016 321SS. It is a bit softer than I expected but that made bending the sides easier.

[Brock]

Finished these seat belt anchor points today.  Now, to find a belt I like.

[Brock]

Yesterday it was declaired that the airframe is (seems) done and is ready for paint.  I'll take it to a powder-coater today.  But wait there is more to do, so I just discovered.

After reinstalling the landing gear one last time for a look-over and check I discovered the lower end of the shock struts are not reinforced.  I was/(am?) going to drill out to 3/8" and weld in a 3/8 x 1/4"id tube.

So what is your collective oppinion.  Is the strut end strong enough the way it is or should I hold off on paint until I can reinforce the end?  Btw - the top end does have the 3/8x1/4" bushing welded in.  Tubing wall is .049" thick.

Oh, by the way here is a picture of some color choices.  The 'yellow'ish is called Antique and that is the oratex fabric roll you are looking at.  The others are just items I found around the hangar to compare and see what color to paint the airframe.  What is your favorite?