Sep 30 2002 - After building the jig and then bending the main longerons, I tried to place the longerons in the jig and mate to the weldments only to discover the weldments were assembled wrong. Here is a far away view.

Here is a view of the top right weldment. It is on the correct side (mounting to the other side would not even be close) yet the longeron does not mate at all. Note that the bracket is angled outward about the amount it should be angled downward (in jig terms) to mate with the longeron.

Here is a view from the side showing that the bracket is pretty much perpendicular to the firewall. This is incorrect, it should angle 5 degrees downward as oriented in the jig.

Here is a view from above showing the outward cant which if this were the side view would mate rather nicely with the longeron. I think the welder had a bad day. I'll call Vans tomorrow.

Oct 06 2002 - Removed the upper weldments on both sides in preparation for the replacements.

Oct 07 2002 - A shot of the new part next to the old one. Quite a difference.

Van's confirmed a bad batch of these - too bad i didn't catch it prior to riveting but I didn't have the big picture at that time.

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