Wings

Wing Tips ( 4 hrs )

Completed trim steps for both LH and RH Tips per Sect 24 -02.   Very satisfied with fit - but required several iterations to get the 3/16" gap to Ailerons since I proceeded cautiously (not very easy to put material back on the edges).   The Tips fit very well into leading edge.

3/16" gap

3/16" gap

Wings

Wing Tips  ( 2 hrs )

Finished installing AN3 bolts and screws for LH Fuel Tank.  Torqued to 42 in-lbs (28 plus 14 for friction of locking nutplates), then applied yellow torque seal.  Installed Ailerons, to be ready to align with Wing Tips.  Cut off excess flange on LH Tip, leaving just bit more than 1/2".  Dremel with 1.5" cut off wheel works better than die grinder -- mostly so compressor doesn't run nearly constantly. Didn't get to aft portion...next

Wings

LH Fuel Tank re-installed ( 1 hr )

During discussion with Gus, Van's Builder Support,  we concluded the very slow leak must be due to a "porous" balloon.  So I replaced the latest balloon, and 2 hrs later -- NO Change.   So apparently all along the leak was from the balloon skin (permeable).  Note:  this happened with 2 prior balloons on the LH Tank - but not on the RH Tank.

Extra balloon as reference... both stayed fully inflated 2 hrs

I re-installed the fuel tank.   It was much easier than I'd imagined.  The dimpled holes around the perimeter aligned readily, and the bolt holes also matched up.  I'm only about 1/2 done "screwing", but it feels good to be over this hurdle.   Since you can't reach approx 50% of the rivets and joints on the QB Wings w/ tanks pre-installed, I needed to be sure there were no leaks.

Note boards under cradles to lift tank to Spar to re-attach

Wings

LH Fuel Tank...Leak ?  ( 2 hrs )

Removed 21 AN3 bolts along Spar to Tank, and 77 Screws along Skin perimeter.   Supported tank until all removed.  Remaining plywood was perfect "shelf" on Wing cradle to support the tank cradles.   I used some thin, relatively soft epoxy stir sticks to assist Skin off of dimples.   It was easier than I'd imagined (hope relatively easy to re-install...gulp!).

After thorough inspection with very soapy bubbles, I cannot find a leak !   Expected at either outboard end Rib, or along Z Brackets.    NONE anywhere - I even re-checked all the surface top and bottom rivets, and at fuel cap.   Yet the balloon slowly lost pressure over 5 hrs.   Atmospheric pressure was holding steady, and the room temp was stable.   When I checked the RH tanks more than a month ago,  the balloon held pressure for 2-3 times longer ( I essentially could detect no loss of balloon size).   I'll call Van's builder support Monday to explore next step....?

NO LEAKS !

clear tape over fuel cap

after 5 hrs... not totally deflated, but almost.

Wings

LH Fuel Tank ...Leak ? (1 hr )

Fabricated cradles for LH Fuel Tank removal ...used plywood from Van's empennage shipping crate.  Started removing some screws and bolts.

Wings

RH Wing Skin ( 3 hrs )

Finished last 22 rivets on RH Bottom Outboard Skin.  Cleaned off markings.  Reinstalled aileron pushrods and torqued.  Discovered forgot to add 8 nutplates to the 2 access openings - good thing easy to do after skin was riveted on !   Section 20 is now done.  Also prepped for removal of LH fuel tank so I can identify and fix small leak.

inside Pic to insure aileron trim servo springs are still correct.

Wings

RH Bottom Outboard Skin  ( 2 hrs )

Nearly finished RH Bottom Skin - only 22 more rivets along Main Spar remaining.   Certainly satisfying to see how good this is turning out.

Took a selfie...who's the old guy ?