Build log

Sanding timelapse

I got a lot of time this July 4th weekend to spend sanding the plane.  Its getting close to being ready for filler primer.  Every time I walk around the plane I see little issues to deal with.  I masked it off yesterday and will probably spend today taking care of any little blemishes I […]

Wing questions

I’ve been working on sanding/filling the fuselage this week, but I thought I’d head up to the attic and check out the wings.  I hadn’t really looked at them recently and I wanted to see how much sanding/filling work was left on them.  I as I remembered, there almost there – just a little filling […]

Sanding has begun

I haven’t moved the plane outside yet, but I have started filling/sanding.  So, vacuum as much as I try, my shop is getting awfully dusty.  I think I’ll move it outside this weekend to take care of some of the major shaping work.  I’ve done body work before, so this is not something I’m unfamiliar […]

Finishing the interior

Progress has been slow, but steady.  Every night I put in a little time.  The last month has mostly been the fiddly bits in the interior.  I finished covering the rear portion of the interior – the sides and strake storage areas.  Nothing too difficult there.  I have not yet figured out how I will […]

More upholstery work

I’ve been doing some traveling, so I haven’t been spending quite as much as I would like on the plane these days.  The work in these pictures spans several weeks.  Although I haven’t shown pictures here, I have made trim frames for the front, side and strake windows and covered them with vinyl.  As you […]

Finishing up the package shelf

I upholstered the package shelf this weekend.  Initially, I was going to put upholstery fabric on the whole unit, but that would have required some cleaver sewing.  It was easier to put carpet on the main part and fabric on the doors.  Using carpet, the seams are visible, but not too bad.  I think the […]

Installing front door trim

I can not find any section of the build manual that deals with installation of the trim that runs along the forward door pillar and joins with the overhead switch panel.  After some discussion on the Velocity forum, some builders see this as a structural part that must be reinforced with UNI or TRIX then […]

More heat

I’ve heard that just a NACA scoop feeding the front oil cooler will make for a chilly ride when its <20F.  What is needed is cabin air recirculation across the oil cooler to get reasonable cabin temperatures.  So, I modified the NACA scoop and put a baffle in that can be used to shut off […]

Seat mounting

I lined up and drilled out holes for the front seat rails.  I also sanded them down and gave them a coat of silver paint – I used that “hammered-look” paint which I’ve always found to be both attractive and durable.  The front seat cushions were then lifted so I could bolt the rails onto […]