Category: Fuselage

Today I worked on fitting the front canopy bow and matching it to the windshield bow strap. I ended up marking the lower portion of the canopy corner with tape to limit the insertion into the side tubes. The upper portion of the canopy corner needs to have 1/4 in showing to place the canopy bow in the correct place. The final adjustments will be made next summer or next spring when I fit the actually canopy to the frame.

Today I am working on the hook rail assembly. I went back and drilled the counter sunk holes in the tube for the two bolts which connect the tube to the angle. I also had to go back and mark and drill the 3/32 inch holes in the hook angle. I made up the aft spring clip and then installed it under the handle. I used a washer under the other end of the handle. Next I put the assembly together.

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After my first trimming and sanding I refit the canopy to the fuselage. I lined up the centering marks and fit the rear edge down to the support blocks. The rear edge fit about 1/2 of the distance around. I decided to work on the rear edge and layout the tape for additional trimming of the rear. After taping the rear edge I used 60 grit sandpaper to sand the edge back to the tape line, finishing with 220 grit. I had to make one more adjustment to the rear edge. Next I moved on to the front edge and re-taped it for trimming. The amount to be trimmed is a bit small for the band saw and a bit big for sanding but I decided to sand anyway. Now that the front and rear fit pretty well I marked the two sides and then trimmed them using the band saw.

Today I worked on making the slots in the hook angle so that I can make up the hook rail assembly.

After my first trimming and sanding I refit the canopy to the fuselage. I lined up the centering marks and fit the rear edge down to the support blocks. The rear edge fit about 1/2 of the distance around. I decided to work on the rear edge and layout the tape for additional trimming of the rear. After taping the rear edge I used 60 grit sandpaper to sand the edge back to the tape line, finishing with 220 grit. I had to make one more adjustment to the rear edge. Next I moved on to the front edge and re-taped it for trimming. The amount to be trimmed is a bit small for the band saw and a bit big for sanding but I decided to sand anyway. Now that the front and rear fit pretty well I marked the two sides and then trimmed them using the band saw.