Section: 37
Hours: 5

I started work on the roll bar structure. This consists of 4 heavy aluminum formed parts riveted together with straps. Today was spent filing edges, counter sinking and deburring holes and trial fitting to the fuselage.

Section: 35
Hours: 5

I finished assembling the forward upper fuselage parts.

Here's the wiring channel with the nut plates applied.

This assembly supports the canopy and the instrument panel.

Next I riveted the upper longeron assembly to the fuselage. The plans specify that you seal the joint between the side skin and the longeron, I assume to make it water tight. You don't want water leaking in while flying in the clouds. I started by masking off the side skin and applied a thick bead of ProSeal between the side skin and the longeron. Then I squished the upper longeron assembly down on the ProSeal and clecoed it in place. I shot the pull rivets using the pneumatic pull rivet gun and then cleaned up the excess ProSeal and removed the masking tape. Sorry I don't have pics of those intermediate steps- my hands were sticky from ProSeal. Here is the final result.

I'm glad I purchased the pneumatic rivet puller- it made this task much easier.

Section: 35
Hours: 3

This afternoon I started riveting together the upper forward fuselage parts.

This bracket required some tricky riveting. I was able to use the squeezer for most, but used the rivet gun for a couple that I couldn't reach. There are also a couple pull rivets.

It's hard to believe the canopy is entirely supported by these bulk heads, but I'm sure the structure will be pretty stout by the time the outside skin is applied.

Section: 35
Hours: 4

This morning I acid etched and then primed the forward fuselage parts.

Section: 42
Hours: 4

This afternoon I riveted together the nut plates and doublers to the floor covers. I also riveted together the flap motor cover assembly. Here they are laid out in the cabin.

Section: 42
Hours: 6

I primed the cover plates this morning while it was still cool.

This afternoon I scrubbed up the upper forward fuselage parts so I'll be able to prime them tomorrow morning.

Section: 42
Hours: 3

I spent a few hours this afternoon washing the cover plates and prepping for primer painting.

Woody always supervises operations involving the hose and water.

Section: 42
Hours: 4

I filed edges, deburred holes and prepped the cabin floor cover panels.