January 21, 2007 - Canopy, Skins

Using a file and angle die grinder with 2" sanding wheel, I edge-smoothed the aft edge of the forward canopy.
Now I have to trim the forward canopy to final size.  With a thick green Sharpie, I drew this line on the cabin frame, to help me see where to cut the canopy.
Then it was time to rivet the little rectangular tab of the forward canopy frame to the side rails.  I drilled two #30 holes.
Then riveted with the Main Squeeze.  Riveting doesn't come much easier than this. 
My forward top skin and canopy skin didn't fit flush on the sides with the bottom side skins.  I decided to "roll" then a little, like you do to the rudder and elevator leading edges.  Here I'm rolling the forward top skin.
And the canopy skin. 

This worked well.  The skins join the bottom side skins much better than before. 

Lynnette came down and we finished the row of rivets along the rear spar. 

I used to think that all I had to do was "just rivet the bottom skins on, no big deal".  I had no idea how time-consuming and arduous -- for the bucking bar person -- this would be!  It's taking awhile, but we'll get it done, though.

Previous
Home
Next