More busy work. For the data plate, I cut a piece of 316 stainless steel into an appropriately sized rectangle. I created a design in CorelDraw and sprayed a laserable paint on it and used a CO2 laser engraver to lase in the dark lettering. This laserable paint is pretty cool, wherever the laser hits, […]
Wings back on
I’ve been getting comfortable in the hangar now and getting setup. Been doing a lot of smaller jobs like mounting the doors, putting trim around the interior of the doors, wiring the door closed sensors, polishing the windows (i.e. getting all the scratches out after years of construction abuse). Time to put the main wings […]
Engine cowling prep for paint
The curvy bits are what take all the time. The little bumps on the lower engine cowling added some time fiddling with the little curved edges. Also, I removed/filled two large bumps the previous builder had put in the top cowling – that took some extra time as well. They’re about ready for paint now, […]
More sanding…
Yeah, I’m tired of sanding, filling pin holes, priming, seeing more pin holes, filling pin holes, sanding, priming (repeat four times…). I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, though! The fuselage is finished, the canard is finished (along with the elevators), dog house done, and those nasty, lots of curves doors […]
Dog house
My canard had been built as one unit, with a non-removable cover. Knowing that I will likely need to mount avionics and such there, I cut it off and made it removable. Pretty straightforward modification. Just made a nice straight cut on both sides. Sealed off all the exposed foam ends. And a couple layers […]
Plane flip
Pretty scary stuff. I didn’t think I would need to flip the plane, but I got tired trying to sand/prime upside down. I mounted secured 3/4″ plywood arcs to the strake tips. Initially, I got my boys to help me prop it straight up. Easiest way to sand the strakes. Then, we flipped it right […]
Main gear legs
I’m not sure how to finish the main gear legs. While its common to use plastic brake lines and just micro over them to attach them to the gear legs, the previous builder fitted my plane with braided steel lines. Better performance/durability, but I need to figure out how to deal with them. Currently, the […]
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 […]