Front end of the jig. Dad and I call it "The Ark". Just cover it with canvas, and chuck it in the river when you're done with it! Don't forget the cooler of brews, of course.
The aft jig assembly.
Front end of the jig. Dad and I call it "The Ark". Just cover it with canvas, and chuck it in the river when you're done with it! Don't forget the cooler of brews, of course.
Positioning bulkheads. The predrilled skins will have the final say as to the exact positioning, but make sure they're on centerline at this point.
Firewall attached to jig uprights. Use C-clamps and wood blocks to hold it in place while you level and drill the uprights through the weldments for temporary mounting bolts.
The completed floor skeleton assembly. The two bars sticking up at an angle are the forward lap belt anchors.
Drilling the forward, left side skin. Note the NACA duct inlet cutout. The gear boxes will be fitted in here soon, and you'll be drilling holes through the steel weldments in assembly with the 802 bulkheads and floor angles. It gets rather warm up inside here, and hard on the neck! So, mount a fan to keep some air moving, and keep your chiropractor's phone number handy.
The front end with the floor pan and forward side skins in place. This is a very time and labor intensive area, with the gear boxes, auxilliary longerons and reinforcement plates to fit. Take the time to get everything straight and true here, or any misalignment will become exaggerated as you work your way aft. Ask me how I found this out..go ahead...I dare ya.
From the firewall looking aft.
OK, so it's a HUGE picture...but I was asked for more detail..and here it is! See all those rivet heads down low on the gear boxes? Yes..they are quite an exercise in patience, perseverance, and sheer willpower! If you don't know how to run the rivet gun with either hand yet...you'll learn here.
This is where the forward baggage compartment will be. I still can't decide if I'll utilize the full size compartment, which goes all the way down to the main floor on the right side. I like being able to stretch my legs during long flights...including the right one!
The left footwell for the backseat occupant. These things are NICE..and drop right into place to be held down with screws and nutplates.
Main cabin looking forward from where the main baggage hold will be.
It may be old...VERY old..but it's cool! Came out of some old fighter..so I'm told. No, I'm not going to put it in the RV! It must weigh AT LEAST as much as the Starr Report.
More fuselage pics on page two
Yet more fuselage pics on page three
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