Since last post, spent time working on main gear intersection and gear leg fairings. I had to get some help to get weight off the main wheels to fit the intersection fairings. Still some work to go, but I was able to get back onto main wheels. Last 3-6 days I've finished fabricating the sets of hinges for the cowling, and yesterday/today I trimmed / sanded and fit the front part of the two cowling halves, and today I finished fitting/drilling the cowl top to the fuselage/hinges. I found that I had to go back and do more fluting of the curved outer part of the top hinges to get the cowling to lay flush. I'm pretty happy with the fit except for slight gaps on the sides near the "angles" of the top cowling. But since it's fiberglass I'll figure out a way to make it better cosmetically - this may wait until I'm flying and close to paint.
I also figured out today that when I cut out the oil door, I misinterpreted the location of all the scribe lines - they just weren't very clear on the corners, and it turns out I should have left more material in the two corners where the cam locks will go. But I do have in "stock" some recessed latches that I may use, and if so they may fit just fine as is. If not it will be easy to fix the corners by laying up some fiberglass from the inside.
I've enjoyed the cowling more than I expected so far. I hate cutting/sanding fiberglass but fitting the cowling to the fuselage has been more pleasant than expected.
Starting the fitting process:
Using level and plumb bobs to align top of cowling:
Fitting/drilling to fuse (after sanding repeatedly to fit to fuse). Note centerline "string" (actually wire) to help with overall alignment:
Drilling the hinges at "transferred" rivet locations:
Clecoed in place, ready to fit bottom of the cowling:
I also figured out today that when I cut out the oil door, I misinterpreted the location of all the scribe lines - they just weren't very clear on the corners, and it turns out I should have left more material in the two corners where the cam locks will go. But I do have in "stock" some recessed latches that I may use, and if so they may fit just fine as is. If not it will be easy to fix the corners by laying up some fiberglass from the inside.
I've enjoyed the cowling more than I expected so far. I hate cutting/sanding fiberglass but fitting the cowling to the fuselage has been more pleasant than expected.
Starting the fitting process:
Using level and plumb bobs to align top of cowling:
Fitting/drilling to fuse (after sanding repeatedly to fit to fuse). Note centerline "string" (actually wire) to help with overall alignment:
Drilling the hinges at "transferred" rivet locations:
Clecoed in place, ready to fit bottom of the cowling:
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