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Post by planecrazy on May 21, 2022 18:36:15 GMT 12
That last picture gives an idea of the size of this project with the tail plane near the tools.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2022 13:29:04 GMT 12
I was thinking that - my mum has a Dremel so now I have a fair idea of how big this gorgeous girl will actually be!
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Post by nzgrasshopper on May 24, 2022 8:52:31 GMT 12
Working on closing up the fin.   Then disaster strikes. Final check showed a twist in the top rear. Have de-riveted one of the rib lines and applied A LOT of force trying to straighten it out. Very surprised at how stiff the structure is.  Hopefully this will work and no more dismantling is required. |
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Post by Mustang51 on May 25, 2022 12:09:31 GMT 12
You would know that the riveting process actually stretches the skins microscopically and, like on the full sized machines, only a really solid jig prevents the inherent twist. I know of a Birdog fin and dorsal extension that suffered from this and required de-riveting to eradicate the problem.....
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Post by shorty on May 25, 2022 20:52:39 GMT 12
Don't just start at one end and work along ,rivet each end and then half the distance and do nextrivet and keep halving the gap each time , that way reduces the skin "creep"
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Post by Mustang51 on May 25, 2022 21:18:50 GMT 12
Yep. That really works but in the absence of a jig its only part successful...learned from bad experience
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Post by shorty on May 25, 2022 21:43:02 GMT 12
Yep. That really works but in the absence of a jig its only part successful...learned from bad experience I learnt by being NCO 1/c Skin Bay, 1 RD RNZAF Woodbourne in the 1970s |
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Post by Mustang51 on May 26, 2022 13:06:36 GMT 12
Need a job on the Birdog ?
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Post by nzgrasshopper on May 26, 2022 22:06:46 GMT 12
Don't just start at one end and work along ,rivet each end and then half the distance and do nextrivet and keep halving the gap each time , that way reduces the skin "creep" On the bigger structures this is the technique I have used, along with having the structure bolted together. There has been enough room to get the nail punch in to peen the rivet tails over on both sides of the web or rib. This of course is the reverse way to set rivets, but leaves a neater finish on this small scale with softer alloys. With the fin, there is no room to get a bucking bar or tools inside to peen over the tail on both sides. Where I can't get tools inside the structure, I have been cyno gluing the rivets in place. I made the mistake of setting the rivets all on the same side, which caused the twist, instead of alternating the riveting and gluing on adjacent ribs. Lesson learnt. |
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Post by shorty on May 27, 2022 11:53:13 GMT 12
Need a job on the Birdog ? No prob! Send it down! |
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Post by Mustang51 on May 27, 2022 13:11:50 GMT 12
Oh I wish
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Post by nzgrasshopper on Jun 19, 2022 15:13:05 GMT 12
Been a bit slow of late. working and then got the flu on my off duty, finally got some motivation back. Engine cowl framework forward of the firewall.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2022 8:16:22 GMT 12
Amazing work, Peter!
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Post by nzgrasshopper on Jul 2, 2022 17:32:57 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 2, 2022 20:16:14 GMT 12
Superb work!
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Post by nzgrasshopper on Jul 3, 2022 19:15:59 GMT 12
One cowl flap down, three to go, plus all the other bits to make it all work. Outside skin is over sized until all four are made and the two cowl formers are joined up.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2022 13:04:40 GMT 12
I ran out of superlatives quite a way back. Peter: you're doing the Lord's work. Utterly magnificent.
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Post by nzgrasshopper on Jul 5, 2022 16:49:38 GMT 12
Last bit of progress before the break ends. Link to video below  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2022 16:52:20 GMT 12
Amazing.
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Post by nzgrasshopper on Jul 5, 2022 19:22:02 GMT 12
One more cowl flap and the main control rods.  |
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