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Beejs Blog Update

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Beej

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<TD vAlign=top>Pic showing 2X4 mock up...


I-Struts
I finished up heat bending the lower box sections, this time heating the correct side...heat bending the underside of the box section is visually tricky, so I used a mirror [see inset pic]


I have left the spar bolt locating holes off of these, these will be drilled when the completed I-strut has finished moving around during welding.


The streamline tubes arrived, so I have started to fabricate them. The ends of the struts are at a compound angle, so tricky to cut accurately. I really didn't want a bad hair day by cutting them wrong [cost], so I first made a mock up out of a stud 2X4. This was then used for reference. For curiosity's sake, I checked the mock up on the other wing, and found I was only off by 1/32, not bad. The streamline tubing is now clamped in place, and I am just about ready to start tack welding them.


Interesting note: the streamline tubing on the 91 plans is different than on the early 75 plans. I compared the new tubing to the old I-struts I have, and there is a big difference in size and weight, the new stuff being slightly smaller and with a thinner wall.


Aileron stops
I made the stops at the stick end out of solid bar. A hole was drilled all the way through, then tapped in about 1 inch for a AN3 bolt. As yet , they need tacking on the fuselage.


Engine Mount
I have decided on using an IO-360 angle valve, so I can now order my engine mount, this is coming from Steen. It occured to me that the chances of a jig-built mount blindly fitting a 75 'bolt fuselage are about as equal to me looking good in a tight spiderman outfit. So I made an MDFtemplate with steel bushing plates for the locating holes. I will be shipping this to them.


To come: next, I will be tacking the bracing tubes on the I-struts, then I intend to make a 2x4 lumber cradle/jig to house the struts to minimise movement, at which time they will go to my high class tig welding buddy for finish welding. Then I can finally dismantle the wings, turn the plane upside down, and focus on fitting the cabane compression tube and glass cabane fairing. Then I can store away the wings and start playing with the fuselage and landing gear.





Finished tube, ready for welding...

Engine mount template...
 

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