Back in the Game

[PropMan]

Got some parts riveted together

[PropMan]

Cowl doors fitting. Time to drill fasteners and buck rivets. Almost to final trimming too.

[Bcone1381]

Prop Man;

I'm curious about the curved radius on your cowl doors. The fabrication of them is in my near future. Did you form that radius into the door, and if so did you use a slip roller or maybe by hand over a cylinder?

[PropMan]

Brooks, it's all by hand. I slowly bend where needed. Step back and look at it, then bend more. Slow and tedious work. The most difficult part was the angle that supports lower cowl. It bends and twist. That one has to be hammered ever so slightly.

[gregc]

A couple of pieces of PVC pipe to bend over (I think i used 4 and 6 inch diameter) doesn't hurt but I did it mostly by hand as well. Go slow and "creep up on it".

[Bcone1381]

I followed your advice. I adjusted the pipe diameter by wrapping it to the diameter to provide my desired radius. This is method worked better than rolling it. Faster, easier, more sure of end result.

[PropMan]

Pulled the wings off today. Got everything fit and fasteners installed, so it's time for paint, finish up electrical, and final assembly. Hopefully just a few months before first flight!

[PropMan]

Profile shot, just because 20240122_202754.jpg

[PropMan]

One wing painted, second one almost ready to shoot. Closer by the day

[PropMan]

First time to see color in daylight

[Sierra Skydog]

Looking real good Frank!

[PropMan]

I decided to paint the interior fabric with a light coat of gray, two rolls of masking tape later. It's ready for paint

[PropMan]

The skylight to windscreen channel is not weather tight, has welds every couple inches. So I mixed up some proseal, neatly applied and painted the piece.
light weight simple

[PropMan]

Latest build vid

https://youtu.be/_yz_oCuwKck?si=WDGtbcQ_Ek15e23N

[Cguy]

On my plexi windshield/Lexan skylight junction, I used a product called Lexal (maybe Lexel), and 16 years later it's still perfect. Available in crystal clear (and it is) or white, caulking gun tube or smaller sqeeze tubes, specifically designed for bonding various types of plastic to each other. I used it after a tip from a fellow builder, and it's been my goto adhesive since then. It stays semi flexible, and any Ace Hardware store stocks it along with their other caulk, but don't let that dissuade you, (I'd order it from Spruce if I had to) it's a great product for many things!

[Redneckmech]

I second that! Lexel is amazing stuff. I hadn't thought about using it on the BH since I am not to that stage yet but I have used it to seal leaking automotive windshields, body seams, headlights, and a multitude of other applications.

[interstate al]

I also used Lexal to seal my skylight/windshield piece. As well as my rear windows. Very pleased with the results.

[PropMan]

Got the gear covered, painted and installed. Haven't made much progress other than that. Been building a 2500ft strip to replace the 1300ft one I had to move due to development of my airpark lots.