January 12, 2008 - Rivet Aft Top Skin
Using the temporary aluminum rudder cable clips as a template, I made the final clips out of the steel stock.  Then, so they wouldn't rust, I primed and painted them with rustoleum hammered silver.  That's the leftover steel stock on the right. 
 
I figure it's finally time to rivet the aft top skins down.  First I put in the top stringers. 
 
It's been so long since I had the skins on, I had to trail-fit them just to make sure I had everything on right. 
 
The aft top skin, just resting on top of the fuse.
 
First I needed the rivet the rib that runs down the top center center.  I started riveting on the little aft bracket. 
 
Then I riveted the rib into the airframe. 
 
The rib uses flush 1/8" rivets in the foremost bulkhead. 
 
Lynnette came down to the basement to help me rivet the aft top skin.  It has been close to a year since she's riveted so I had her shoot three rivets on my practice piece here.  Good to go. 
 
I had previously reviwed Dan's page and the forums to see how others had riveted their aft top skins.  I decided to  rivet the F-708 bulkhead top center first, followed by the top stringers.  Then I would be able to buck the left side by leaning through the right side, underneath the skin.  As for the right side, I guess I'll have to crawl into to fuse to buck that.
 
Can you believe it?  My rivet gunner is taking a phone call!?
 
We finished the top stringers and the top part of the F-708 bulkhead, then that was it for riveting tonight.  A few rivets require drilling out.
 
We only rivet for 30-60 minutes a night.  I find it tiring and stressful work, so I like to keep the sessions short.  I'm afraid if I get tired, I'm more likely to make a mistake and dent a very visible part of the airplane.  There's always something else to work on, that's for sure.
 
I ran a piece of wire through the holes where the elevator trim wires will go.  This wire will be my "pull-through" for when the time comes. 
 
I pulled the blue plastic off the inside of the forward top skin. 
 
 
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