Fuselage - 6

January 3, 2015

30 hours, total 495 hours. Happy New Year! Two years into the project and I've completed the Mid-Fuselage and bottom skins, Section 21 of the build. I've started the forward lower fuselage. I have most of the parts prepped, but still need to prime and assemble. I'm guessing I'm about 3, 4 months away from moving to a hanger at KAVQ.

I had  friend and follow RV-12 builder, Tito, help flip the fuselage so I could install the fuselage corner and lower bottom skins. It's important to follow the directions regarding what rivets are actually installed and those that are installed at a later time.

Bottom skin is in place and ready to cleco.

 Prior to installation I primed the interior side of the skin.

 There are six access panels on the lower skin. Access panels are held in place with four nutplates each. In the next two pictures you can see the nutplate rivet installation and final product.

 I've stripped away protective plastic and cleco'd the bottom skin in place. I'm about ready to start the rivet process. Lots, and lots of rivets!

 At the beginning of the blog posts you'll see a full box of rivets. It's empty now- I'd estimate 6,000 rivets thus far!!

 Heres a phot of the installed skin stiffeners, F-1204Z left and right side.

 Bottom side access to the flaperon mixer bolt.

 You're looking at the forward step floor and temporary installation of the aircraft left and right step attachments. It really is amazing how strong the structure is once assembled.

 Pictures of the finished step assembly floor minus the steps. Floor skins riveted in place.

 Now we shift to the lower aft side of the fuselage and pictured below is the autopilot servo attachment bracket. A much easier installation when performed in sequence! [Reference the missed installation of the forward auropilot bracket assembly.]

 Couple of photos of the facet pump bracket, F-1048F with required nutplates.

 And, snap bushings in place! Rudder cable, fluid lines etc will run through these areas!

 Finally, a photo if the subassemblies that make up the forward lower fuselage, section 22 of the build.. Once this is done it's onto the sides and upper fuselage assembly.