Flaps and Ailerons ready for covering.
I think this has been the longest between blog posts. Reason: repetitive steps. Since October I worked on and completed the second aileron and second flap. I also took a few months off for family needs (about three months). I’m back at it; did a little to finalize the flaps and ailerons. I had a few missing braces on one flap and needed to add a third bolt to each of the hinges. One of the time issues was making all new aileron hinges. My first set were ok but I had some problems with the hinge pin interfiling with the bottom of the aileron so I made new hinges. Although they took a lot of time it was worth it and everything fits much better now. My next step will be fabricating the fuel tanks. I hope to work on that at the end of July into August.
After I finished the second set of control surfaces I needed to go back and get all parts uniform. I had changed the hinges to three bolts so I had to add a bolt to each of the hinges on the first set. I also had to add some braces I missed on the first flap.
Third bolt was added to first flap and aileron to match second set reciently finished.
Missing braces added ……
Next, I installed the flap bellcrank hardware on the second wing and test fitted the flap.
With the control surfaces finished I
now have some adjustments to make on the hinges and hangers. After that I
need to install the aileron false spar to close up that section of the wing and
install pulley hardware. The next major step will be fabricating the fuel
tanks. I plan on making my own tanks and gas welding the aluminum
myself. This will be a major challenge but compared to $1500+ for
tanks I would like to try them for my self. I hope to be working on the
tanks in August.