May 19 2003 - The top skin is now riveted in place and its time to flip the fuselage for the gear installation.

While I wait for help to flip, I started in on the rear seat. The hinges are installed but everything else remains clecoed.

I'm working on getting a good fit of the fiberglass top to the bulkhead. I'll probably stop here, prime, paint, and rivet the metal parts prior to finalizing the glass fit.

I also installed the rather cheesy manual aileron trim. Adjusting for a good smooth operation without slipping is going to take a little adjusting. I also installed some nylon bushings where the spring attaches to the control column to prevent the "boing-boing" spring sounds when moving the stick.

Flipped and now its gear time. I have strings with weights dropped from each leg inboard and outboard. The 8' straight edge is used to align the legs with each other. Since the edge has length markings, I just centered the straight edge using the two inboard strings. I measured from the tail to each tip of the straight edge for any twist.

All brackets and wear plates drilled and bolted up. It'll all come apart since I don't want to work so high up. I do not look forward to installing these bolts, it is going to be a real pain.

June 10 2003 - I decided to install the ramp permanently rather than with the removable hinge. This means I can tie the angles into the outer 851 panels for more support. I'll rivet the 851 holes below the ramp, then install the ramp and pop rivet by lifting the outer edge of the 851. It'll then tuck under the side skin and get riveted on.

Here the ramp and lower skins are on. The ramp makes a nice transition to the bottom skin and with the ramp angles tied to the outer 851 panels, there is no flexing which will hopefully prevent cracks which are sometimes reported in this area.

Another shot of the bottom and ramp. All ramp surfaces were insalled with Proseal to prevent any fluids from getting under the ramp.

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