Tailcone - 3

Monday May 6th, 2013 - 3 hours, total 114 hours. Okay, one final edit to this post. I had some free time at the end of the day today. I primed, or finished priming all the skins. The wings kit is a week from shipment and I wanted to make sure the tailcone is assemblied prior to arrival. Don't know if I'll make it, but at least I'm ready to assembly. No more parts prep left.

Sunday, May 5th, 2013 - 4 hours, total 110 hours. I was back to the garage today for some additional work on the tailcone. I was supposed to fly this morning,but the winds were a little strong and I canceled at the last moment. All work today was associated with the F-1211 assembly. One page of instruction in the Van's manual, and a lot of rivets. I counted 87 total with 6 different fastener types.

First task was assembly of the F-1211D attach brackets. Pictured is the right bracket assemblied with two LP4-3 rivets.

 Next is installation of the interference fit bushing. Van's recommended a C-clamp with a small socket on the opposing end. It worked quite well.

 A here's a picture of the final assembly.Pretty easy stuff- went quickly.

Pictured here are the F-1211A and B bulkhead and bulkhead doubler prior to assembly. The instructions talk about fluting the F-1211A flange. I did not do this because it didn't look like it needed adjustment. We'll see....

 F-1211A and F-1211B cleoed together with the attach brackets.

 The attach brackets where the bushings are attached fit into the bulkhead cut-outs.

 Next, and this is just for illustration, is the flange bearing. One on each side.

 And here's the right side bearing installation with the right hinge bracket.

 Now the real work begins. The installation of the 87 rivets I mentioned previously.

 And probably 2.5 hours later the two bulkhead assemblies are attached.

 If you enlarge the next two pictures you get an idea of the variety of fasteners used. Yes, the hands are a little sore this evening. A lot of squeezing going on.

 And here's a couple of pictures of the hinge bracket and bearing installation.

 On the backside of the bulkhead assembly are the 8 nut-plates and the tail tie-down braacket assembly. I have to do a little primer touch-up. A lot or manuvering with the rivet squeezer to reach all the rivets - a lot of handling period.!

Next task will be to pull out the stabilator and check the fit with the F-12111 Assembly hinges.