Yeah, we're still here
March 21, 2008 10:14 PM
Progress on the plane has been next to zero lately as we prepare to move to a new home. We should have our priorities back in order in a couple more weeks. Stay tuned!
Trailering the fuselage and other treasures to the new place:
Trailering the fuselage and other treasures to the new place:
Closing Fuel Tanks
January 27, 2008 11:16 PM
Time to finish off the fuel tanks. Compared to the slow-build RV-8 fuel tanks, these quick-build tanks are a piece of cake. All that is left to do it install the inspection plate and sending unit. I bought a quart of proseal from Van's for this purpose. Though I only need a little bit to finish the tanks, it's useful stuff for various other areas of the plane too. I tried the tubes of proseal, but they are expensive and wasteful when you just need a little bit at a time.
Below, the access cover has been prosealed on the left fuel tank. I thought I was going to use the big rubber washer to install the sending unit in the remaining hole, but I didn't have to look too hard on the internet to find at least one guy that replaced a leaky rubber washer with proseal. So, I'll use proseal from the start.
I considered using cap screws instead of the stock 8R8 screw, but I didn't have any on hand. While doing the fuel tank service bulletin on the RV-8, I realized the advantage of using the cap screws here is very slight. There is nothing wrong with using the stock screws here.
Here is the other tank with both the access cover and the sending unit installed. After the proseal cures for several days, I'll test for leaks.
Another tip: Before closing the fuel takes forever, look inside as best you can. I noticed drain holes on both tanks were nearly prosealed shut.
Below, the access cover has been prosealed on the left fuel tank. I thought I was going to use the big rubber washer to install the sending unit in the remaining hole, but I didn't have to look too hard on the internet to find at least one guy that replaced a leaky rubber washer with proseal. So, I'll use proseal from the start.
I considered using cap screws instead of the stock 8R8 screw, but I didn't have any on hand. While doing the fuel tank service bulletin on the RV-8, I realized the advantage of using the cap screws here is very slight. There is nothing wrong with using the stock screws here.
Here is the other tank with both the access cover and the sending unit installed. After the proseal cures for several days, I'll test for leaks.
Another tip: Before closing the fuel takes forever, look inside as best you can. I noticed drain holes on both tanks were nearly prosealed shut.
Wing Tips
January 20, 2008 8:54 PM
I using #6 screws instead of pop rivets or hinges to attach the wing tips. So there are 38 screws in each tip, so 38 platenuts -- lots of work! Below I'm fitting the landing/taxi and position lights.
The aft end of each fiberglass wing tip was a little warped, so I epoxied a foam rib behind the AL rib to help shape it.
I installed a Bob Archer nav antenna inside the right tip, on the top surface. It's attached with platenuts on the inboard edge to provide a ground plane, per the directions. The rest is held in place with a single layer of fiberglass. The reflective tape beside the antenna is the heat shield for the landing/taxi lights.
This is view of the landing/taxi lights from the back. I came up short on the springs that hold them together because I cut the springs supplied in two, per the instructions. Had I cut each spring in three, I would have had enough. Beware...
The aft end of each fiberglass wing tip was a little warped, so I epoxied a foam rib behind the AL rib to help shape it.
I installed a Bob Archer nav antenna inside the right tip, on the top surface. It's attached with platenuts on the inboard edge to provide a ground plane, per the directions. The rest is held in place with a single layer of fiberglass. The reflective tape beside the antenna is the heat shield for the landing/taxi lights.
This is view of the landing/taxi lights from the back. I came up short on the springs that hold them together because I cut the springs supplied in two, per the instructions. Had I cut each spring in three, I would have had enough. Beware...
