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?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, we both know that bushed would be better.  I kinda doubt it's necessary, though. I think painting the fuse the same color as the Oratex would be kool. Second choice would be green. First choice is what you like..

[Brock]

Well, the shock-struts didn't get bushed as I was anxious to get everything to the powder coater.  But I could always do it later.  Today I got in plenty of practice putting in tube bushing as I finished all 8 of the strut ends.  These I'll rattle-can.

For moving the air (vehical) frame I first started laying it down in my short bed pickup.  Nope, not happening.  So plan "B" was to place it all on top.  I was not only able to transport it this way but managed to get some wind-tunnel/road testing.  Yup, it creates the expected amount of drag.

Once at the powder-coater I had to pic a color.  This pic of their sample does not show it well.  It actually has hints of green and metal flake.  Looks nice in the sunlight.