Look Ma, no work table!

Click on image to enlarge

This was a big weekend as I was able to remove my fuselage from my work table. I flipped it upside down so that I could finish installing rivets on the underside of the belly skin. These are the rivets that you are not able to get at because of the jigging.

Before I flipped over my project, I cut the exit slots for the rudder cables where they come out of the fuselage in the rear.

Above I am attaching the belly skin to the center section.

Now I'll work on installing the forward bottom skins and install the tail wheel before I flip it over.

Pulled rivets on fuselage side skins.

click on image to enlarge

Feels good to make progress that you can see. After taking the skins on and off umpteen times to shape, file, debur holes, install cables etc., I was able to pull some rivets on both forward side fuselage skins today. I'm happy with the results.

The plans call for you to put on the left side skin and then pull the fuselage off your jig and table to install the controls before the other side is attached. I had heard that some who had followed these steps found that the fuselage would twist because only one side skin was being install at a time. They would have to remember this and somehow take the twist out before riveting the second side skin in place which usually solved the problem. I decided to install the controls and then rivet both forward side skins on at the same time to avoid the twisting issue. I pulled a few rivets on one side and then went and pulled some on the other until I was done. I left off both the rear skins so I can finish installing the controls. I have some minor things to clean up, but I should be able to pull my fuselage from the table and jig next session.

Control cables & fuselage skin.

Click on image to enlange

I strung the control cables and started to install the right side skin. I still need to bring the rudder cables out the lower rear skin, but I'll do that before I start pulling rivets.