The last thing I need to do before the wings are removed is to install the jury struts. All was going well until I realized that the mounting holes were drilled in the wrong place. Oops, the plan is to weld the holes in and redrill. They are stainless so I am having a friend do the job for me.This is where the bracket is mounted on the rear spar. Hopefully I can finish this part in the next few days.I went ahead and installed the fuel tanks.To keep the build moving forward I worked on a few small chores. One is to apply Super-fil to the triangle window frames and door frames. The idea is to smooth them out to make the fabric seamless.I also temporarily put the horizontal and elevator on to adjust the push/pull tubes. Once that was completed the trim actuator was adjusted.Next up was to install the trim position indicator sensor. This pick shows the tip of the sensor resting on the arm.Here is the arm bonded in place.I was going to install the Trim Assist Kit but the incorrect bracket was supplied with the kit. Sent email to Kitfox.
The butt ribs are now fitted. Contrary to the manual, and by recommendation from other builders, I swapped sides on the butt ribs. The reason is to put the wider part of the cap strip to the inside. By doing this the holes drilled in the acrylic windshield are further from the edge so less chance of cracking.The next part of the build is to give the butt ribs, #1 rib and #3 ribs at lease two coats of epoxy varnish. The butt ribs will be permanently attached later. Next task is to fit the jury struts.
Finished attaching the lift strut brackets on both wings.This shows the lift strut attached and ready to install on the fuselage.The fuselage has been leveled and the wings attached. Shown is the right wing with the #1 rib bonded in place.Here is the left side with the #1 rib bonded. After the hysol has cured the wing sweep, dihedral and washout are checked again.I set the fuel tanks in place and decided to trim the flanges so that it was parallel to the #3 rib. I did this to both tanks then sanded a little where the tanks contact the spars to get them so they set flat on both spars.Same thing on both sides.I will leave a gap so that there is room to rib stitch the #3 rib. After I was finished fitting the tanks I pressure tested them, no leaks! Sloshing is also done.Here is a view of the butt ribs with an aluminum strip bonded on the underside of the upper cap strips. This reinforces the windshield attachments.I purchased the pre-fab kit. These art he jury strut brackets that needed some work. Rounded off the ends and drilled the appropriate size holes and of course deburred them. Next task is to fit the butt ribs.
Here is one of the spar root ends with reinforcement fittings clecoed in place.And here is the left wing spar root end finished.And the left leading spar root end.This is a view of where the wing strut bracket attaches. All 44 holes are drilled, deburred, and wiped down with IPA.Here it is clecoed.Wing strut bracket riveted with 44 stainless steel rivets. One finished three to go.This is one of the front spars with the “crucial” hole drilled.And the rear spar with the factory drilled hole.These are the spar root end reinforcement fittings. Each spar root end has four of these bonded and riveted to strengthen the anchor points at the carry-through tube.This is a pic of the left wing upside down with a look at the wing strut brackets. These will be prepped, bonded and riveted.
Next part of the build is to level the fuselage front to rear and left to right. I put it on jack stands at the recommended point but in the future it will be blocked at the front. It will be much more stable and i need it higher also.I had to weight the aft end to keep the fuselage from tipping forward, used a bucket of lead.This pic shows the foot print in my work space. Just wanted to be sure there was room to work all the way around.Here the left wing is in place.And a pic of both wings on.This is a pic of the right rear spar with the bolt holding it to the carry-through tube.This is the right front spar. There is no hole drilled yet. First both wings need to be trimmed. First is to set the wing sweep which is determined by the weight of the engine. A Rotax 912iS is my choice so wing sweep will be 0 degrees. After the wing sweep is to set the dihedral which is set at 1 degree, and last is washout. These measurements were made with the utmost care and checked and rechecked………Its crucial that this is done correctly be cause the next step is to drill the hole in the front spar.
I haven’t posted for a while due to the holidays but enjoyed time with family. I have been busy with the bubble doors and have gone as far as possible until the wing roots are in place. I probably won’t finish the doors completely until the end of the build. This pic shows the acrylic being fitted.Here is a closeup. I opted to use riv-nuts, aka blind hole nuts, to secure the acrylic instead of machine screws that go all the way through the frame.I also opted to use the dual latch door latches. This slot and the two holes are where the door handle is attached.Here is a closeup of the latch.Both sides are to this point and will be set aside for now. Next up is to mount the wings. I have some studying to do!
And Now For A Little Assembly 