Creative storage

Getting started on VS (Vertical Stabilizer)

Tonight I spent a short time fabricating the stringers and match drilling them to the VS spar.

Finished HS side view

After assembly I primed the exerior outboard ribs as these will exposed at times.

HS Complete!

Now just imagine the rest of the airplane attached to this. The HS without the elevator tips is about 12 feet wide.

First side of rivets finished.

Very productive day!

First skin rivets

I had to begin rivetting at the nose. This was a tricky area to "learn" the art of flush rivetting. I think it turned out really well.

Rivetting HS skelleton

Finally rivetting HS!

Skin rivet lines primed

I am going to prime all surface areas that will have exterior rivets. In addition, I will be priming only the exterior surfase flanges that join these areas. Since I am not anywhere near a saltwater environment, I am opting to save the 10-15 lbs that priming the entire airplane might weigh.

Almost finished with skins

Tabletop shims

These are simple shims I made out of 2x4's and plywood. This will get my skin surface flush with the dimple dies. They are all independent from each other and can me moved around. They worked out very well.

Dimpling interior of skins

Primed HS parts

Finished deburring skin holes

After finishing the endless hole deburring, I dimpled all ribs and 1/2 of
the skins.

Exterior skin holes deburred

1/4 of HS skins debured

HS ribs ready for priming

Getting creative

I had to use an angle drill head to debur the inside holes of the HS
spar.

Horizontal Stab completely clecoed

This photo gives you a good idea of the HS size. The HS will be just under 14 feet in width.

Calling it a night...

HS Jigs Complete

The ribs and spars have been debured and match drilled and are ready to go into the skins for a fitting.

HS Front Spar

Kit Arrives

I have been waiting for this day for about 6 months! The kit is here and it is time to get to work.

Tools