Date: 08-20-2019 | |
Number of Hours: 35 | |
Manual Reference: 25-6 |
The fair and fill continues as I get nearer to the post cure. Below are just a few of the steps I have been busy with every day, and some nights, the last week.
I’ve been having trouble getting a nice lip for this turtleback. It will have soft foam on the canopy side and I want I good clean surface for it to crush against. I’ve had a few goes and been unhappy. Then I got the idea to use a spline to make a really clean surface. I’ve used a bit of plastic then added some grey tape just to be 100% sure of a good release.
I then added micro and clamped the spline in place. It worked a treat with a really good clean surface after the cure. Trust me it looks great but not worth yet another photo. I’m sure it will feature later.
I’ve done quite a few rounds on this intersection, particularly at the top. I’m going for a nice line canopy to cowl. Definitely getting closer. It just needed a very small amount on the cowl which had a bit of a dip in it just near the top edge.
A bunch of fill, sand and cure cycles here too. I’ve had quite a lot of bare foam areas to fill in where I cut for the hatches on the insides. I am being very careful to coat these with glass or micro and maintain the good clean intersections. This is just spending the time working and cure cycles.
OK showing off here with the top canopy to cowl line looking good.
You can see what I am going for here. Of course now is the time I find I need a bit more fill on the sides below the canopy line. I want a smooth transition for the air here as far as is possible.
The hatches and nose area is happening.
More nose shots. I am wanting to get all this as close as I can before the post cure process.
Yes more nose shots showing the upper fuselage area is getting closer.
With some filler everywhere now, and down to bare glass in some places, it is looking more airplane like and less fiberglass project.
A wide shot showing most of the ‘gross’ fill is done. I still have more work on the rear canopy area, but hey, enough is enough! I’m ready for the post cure.