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Aft Fuselage ( 3 hrs )

Scuffed, Cleaned w/ Acetone, and Primed with 7220.  Then back riveted 3 pieces onto Top Skin.  At the Upper Aft Fuse Rib, req'd using offset "universal" (I don't have an offset back rivet tool) in rivet gun to reach shop ends.   Worked great - w/o bending rib to access.   Onto Sect 10-30  LH and RH Top Side Skins.   Getting close to completing the Aft Fuse build...

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Aft Fuselage ( 3 hrs )

Flying in the morning, building an airplane in the afternoon - it's a good life !  Started Sect 10-29 Assembly.  Deburred all edges and holes, then dimpled per instructions all 4 pieces.   Fit up is good, so ready to scuff, acetone clean and prime next.

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Aft Fuselage  (3 hrs )

Finished Sect 10-27 via bucking those rivets that I couldn't use Main Squeeze on.   Several sizes on Fig 2 diagram by Van's were too short ! vs 'checking gauge'...so substituted next size ( -8 vs -7, -5 vs -4, and even -6 vs -4 spec'd).  Surprised not just a 0.5 off, but whole length.  These were in locations with additional layers that perhaps designers/engineers didn't account for.   It's always good idea to check lengths throughout build, as other builders have noted.  So...if you are building, check with gauge tool vs reliance only on dwg call outs.  

Several rivet locations with "protruding ears" nearby (mounting tail assemblies eventually) required offset extension in rivet gun.  These required much higher pressure adj. at gun since lots of impact energy seems to be lost due to offset.  

Hooray !  Mounted Vert Stabilizer per Sect 10-28.   Drilled (2) #12 size holes through stab spar into rearmost bulkhead.   Disassembled and re-stored V.S. for later section fit up after top skins are completed on Fuse.

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Aft Fuselage ( 1 hr )

Riveting Aft Deck - using Main Squeeze, I can reach majority rivets.   Discovered 2 rivets on each side of F01411D Angle needs to be  -8 long, not specified -7 at Fig 2 on Sect 10-27 (additional layer due to longeron C channel at this location - see sticky note in pic)

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Aft Fuselage ( 4 hrs )

Cont'd Sect 10-27 at Step 5 & 6:  Match drilled 2 angles, then deburred all holes.  Primed all pieces for Aft Deck assembly.  Started rivets Step 7 - significant variety of sizes and types in one area needing numerous tool set-ups.   Challenging to determine best approach, but trial and error is working,  combined w/ prior experience on what works well, etc.   All these pieces and rivets are critical since this is where Horiz Stab and Vert Stab attach...lots of loading !

 Also jumped ahead to Sect 10-32 to build the rear Access Cover Plates.  Deburred all edges and holes, then used #6 screw size dimple dies to create recess for flush machine screws per the Optional arrangement.  I "broke" the edges with the roller tool to insure Plates lay tight to fuselage skins.  Glad I chose the Optional, even though under HS, it's "slicker" with flush screw heads.

Already mounted once with machine screws...forgot to take pic.

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Aft Fuselage (2.5 hrs )

Determined needed about 4" more of C1037 and C1036 wires toward front...so entire W00057 Aft Fuse Harness had to have tie wraps removed, re-adjusted position about 5 inches, and re-installed.   Sect 10-25 doesn't provide length of C409P connector/hharness portion at rear.  But while working on Aft Deck installation, determined I had excess length at rear (Sect 10-27 Fig 3).  Other antenna and harness directions clearly show critical length of free ends on installation pages.  So would've been helpful on 10-25 !   Required about 1 hr to re-do.

C1036 & 37 were 4 inches short of bulkhead

Corrected...taped to front of bulkhead

Sect 10-27 cont'd with dimpling and fit up of Aft Deck pieces.  Discovered missed dimpling across top of F0140C bulkhead - but fortunately easily done w/ Main Squeezer (whew).  Re-primed the 8 holes.  Cleco'd and Final Drilled all holes.  I'll prime after Match Drilling the 2 angle reinforcements.

fit is good !

ready to match drill 2 angles

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Aft Fuselage ( 2.5 hrs )

In between parade and fireworks, I was able to fit in couple hours in shop.   Finished Static Air Kit by installing fittings between Port and tubing (now that bonds had fully cured).

Wiring routed, Air Kit installed

Cleaveland Static Air Kit installed.  

Then Sect 10-27:  deburred three pieces for Aft Deck.  Scuffed since I was already covered in dust, so I'm ready to dimple, etc next.