Tell us what you did today on your Bearhawk Project

[Pbruce]

Is that machine a KC-1620CML? What purposes will it serve for your Bearhawk build? Just curious; I’m building a QB Patrol kit and the experience is obviously much different than scratch, since so much is done for you that you often don’t consider the steps which were undertaken by others to get to that point.

[Sir Newton]

Yes it is, Time saver! For instance 4130n material stock required to complete the project is reduced. Nothing worse then fabrication being held up because of a engineering requirement of difficult to procure material sizing. Now I can just build whatever parts/tools I need. eg, tube notcher an exhaustive list would be long.

[Chewie]

I took a break from the wings and created a copy of a Tail Dragger Dragger. I'm calling it the Drag Queen. Still want to paint it but it actually works! 10" harbor freight air filled tires roll over the hangar tracks nicely.

[rodsmith]

That looks great, I will do the same before I fly.

[spinningwrench]

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I decided I wanted a lockable baggage compartment and also to eliminate any openings to the outside for wind and elements. I installed this nice cam over mechanism which pulls the door firmly closed.

[James]

Today I spent an hour here on the forums, clicking on random threads, and trying to match people's real names with their forum user names.
I've got a paper list written out now, so from now on I should be able to address you all properly!

Thanks again everyone for all the help you send my way, and happy building

James

[Nev]

Today I did some rib lacing and pondered my instrument panel layout......


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[Bcone1381]

Simplicity!! Nice.

[JimParker256]

ELT panel? Circuit breakers / fuses? I like the simplicity.

[James]

What does the "cowl" knob do, Nev?

[spinningwrench]

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I welded up a simple shock strut simulator. This uses a simple hardware store turnbuckle to simulate the landing gear at both minimum and maximum deflection without having to load the aircraft down with weights. Using paper templates I was able to then accurately locate the required shock strut openings in the lower boot cowl.

[spinningwrench]

NEV not sure what you are referring to. The adjustable rod you are seeing temporarily replaces the shock strut.

[svyolo]

That is a great idea.

[joehmason]

Nev, I'm pretty sure you are referring to the elevator push rod. The Patrol has a push rod for elevator control rather than cables.

[Nev]

Jim You’re right, I will likely need an ELT panel and it’ll go above the right side air vent. Circuit breakers will be electronic via the Dynon ACM module mounted behind the panel.

James it’ll be for cowl flaps, unless I think I can simplify further by eliminating them. Not shown above but there will also be a park brake and heater knobs above the engine controls. At the advice of Dynon I’m probably about to eliminate the QNH/ALT/HDG selector panel as well. I figure I need two switches for fuel boost pump, and landing lights.

[svyolo]

I was just going to mount my ELT under the pilot seat, and try to remember to reach down and turn it off and armed. That, or I'd put it up in the wing root.

[BravoGolf]

I use that panel a lot in my RV.

[spinningwrench]

218E59C9-0592-4CCB-9769-08AA649694DD.jpeg Moved my Quickbuild wings from deep storage to the active hangar. I think this is an accurate description of wing walking.

[Nev]

Started back on the doors. Changed the window lines and added a small “bubble” curve to give some rigidity to the acrylic, give a little more room and increase visibility. The lower part will be skinned in aluminium.

I plan to begin installing the latches tomorrow.

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[svyolo]

Nev;
How/where did you fasten the sheet metal below the door frames. The kit piece wraps around the lower longeron to the kit bottom aluminum piece but I extended the sides the same as you. I am going to weld on 3 or 4 tabs per side to fasten the aft half of that sheet metal. I haven't decided whether to wrap it around the tube, or put the tabs on top of the lower longerons and terminate it without the wrap.

[Westward_Flyer]

Really looking forward to more info on this, I'm planning on adding a slight bubble too in order to go with a lighter weight (thickness) acrylic and to combat drumming.

[Gary Wallace]

Its not what i did today, but what i am going to do tomorrow is what im excited about! Officially starting to cover my airplane! Starting with the ailerons and flaps...expect ready for paint in the spring!

[robcaldwell]

Fabric covering and painting are my 2 favorite building tasks. Be sure you have installed the hinge brackets and test fitted the ailerons and flaps before covering them.

[Gary Wallace]

Thanks Rob . Above tasks have been completed and fits are great!

[Chewie]

I finished the drag queen by practicing the Stewart's ekocrylic top coat process, then painted the wing support frames.

[Chewie]

So I'm told. https://youtu.be/B7jkXoGxM_U

[rodsmith]

I use a respirator with organic vapor cartridges topped with dust filters when spraying Stewarts products. Change them out when I can start smelling what I am spraying. Just because they are waterbourne doesn't mean there is no hazard.

[Chewie]

In September when the smoke limited visibility to a quarter mile for a solid week, our AQIs were in the 500s. That's a hazard!

[Nev]

More door progress. Left door mostly finished now. I’ll add a gas strut to the back frame, and possibly a grab handle to help close from the inside.

It has given a noticeable increase in “shoulder-width” space, around 2-3 inches, which carries forward to the knee area too. Probably no additional space at eye level though with the way I think the acrylic will lay.

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[rodsmith]

Looks really nice, now wishing I had gone with seaplane doors.

[Nev]

svyolo - apologies, I just saw your comment above now.

I’m adding adel clamps to the lower longerons, with tinnermans on them and will use sheet metal screws to attach the aluminium lower skin to the tinnermans through the belly fabric. I plan to use a soldering iron to melt holes through the fabric with a dollar patch in these areas. The tinnermans will have a small dab of adhesive (sikaflex or similar) to keep them attached when the screw is not in place. So the adel clamps and tinnermans will sit inside the fabric, with the aluminum skin on the outside. If you weld tabs on, I’d consider welding them on the underside and wrapping the skin around with a small over-lap. Just my 2c, I think it’d give good results.

I’m pleased with the lower skins running back to the rear door pillar, partly for the way they look and the additional protection, but largely because of the way the fabric can now terminate inside the rear door pillar, with the aluminium skin overlapping it. Everything goes together very neatly, whereas before I couldn’t find a logical way to terminate the fabric under the door.

[svyolo]

yeah I wanted to wrap it around to stiffen the edge so the airstream didn't grab it. I am not sure about using adel clamps under the fabric as they might chafe the fabric pretty quickly. Maybe some adel clamps holding a piece of angle and have the fabric ride over that before it wraps around the lower longeron?

[Sir Newton]

I completed a list of the rivets required for my scratch build BK5 wings. It is more work then I thought it would be. Placed the order with a supplier along with 750 differing Clecos required to hold it all together. Now I am designing a jig to build the wings main & rear spars on. Fairly simple stuff but it is keeping me entertained during CV-19 days.