It seems I haven't posted a blog post forever. I have been busy on the plane tho; just got lazy in posting regular progress, it seems.
Anyways, things are moving very slowly, but surely. It seems the first engine run is around the corner!
I have just finished what I think was one of the most tiresome jobs on the project - the baffles!! fuc#3@$k**&ing grrrrr. To make the job harder, I decided to paint them (epoxy primer, catalyst tractor top coat) The air intake is the snorkel design from the RV-8. I bought the Vans baffle kit to help save time, which it did, but the snorkel ramp setup I had to modify for the Skybolt, and without the vans kit, it would have taken me months, not weeks to finish. Although, I can quickly think of a tougher job; the cowl - wow, talk about needing tenacity to build these things...what a challenge that was.
I love it when one hits a milestone without realizing its looming - we added the first oil and pre-oiled the engine today!
Before I hit the final big stage of fabric and paint, here is my laundry list, which considering the hundreds of lists I have gone through over the years, is pretty short!:
- sand finish the nosebowl so I can prime it (to protect it from oil/grease for first engine run)
- revisit the fuel inlet scupper around the main gas tank; I want a neater seal solution on the scupper-to-top sheet metal
- test fuel system
- set timing for the P-mags
- install prop
- first engine run
- bond the fiberglass cosmetic frame to the canopy and fine finish it
- make the four intersection fairings for the landing gear (every other conceivable fairing and cover is done)
...then on to many months of fabric and paint.......and possibly a partial vinyl wrap :0)
Anyways, things are moving very slowly, but surely. It seems the first engine run is around the corner!
I have just finished what I think was one of the most tiresome jobs on the project - the baffles!! fuc#3@$k**&ing grrrrr. To make the job harder, I decided to paint them (epoxy primer, catalyst tractor top coat) The air intake is the snorkel design from the RV-8. I bought the Vans baffle kit to help save time, which it did, but the snorkel ramp setup I had to modify for the Skybolt, and without the vans kit, it would have taken me months, not weeks to finish. Although, I can quickly think of a tougher job; the cowl - wow, talk about needing tenacity to build these things...what a challenge that was.
I love it when one hits a milestone without realizing its looming - we added the first oil and pre-oiled the engine today!
Before I hit the final big stage of fabric and paint, here is my laundry list, which considering the hundreds of lists I have gone through over the years, is pretty short!:
- sand finish the nosebowl so I can prime it (to protect it from oil/grease for first engine run)
- revisit the fuel inlet scupper around the main gas tank; I want a neater seal solution on the scupper-to-top sheet metal
- test fuel system
- set timing for the P-mags
- install prop
- first engine run
- bond the fiberglass cosmetic frame to the canopy and fine finish it
- make the four intersection fairings for the landing gear (every other conceivable fairing and cover is done)
...then on to many months of fabric and paint.......and possibly a partial vinyl wrap :0)
