Started on the Elevators

Posted on by Neal

Tonight I finished a plywood bracket to hold the Horizontal Stabilizer, then rigged everything up and hoisted it onto the ceiling in the garage. There’s just enough clearance on the storage cupboard doors, but I added some small bits of foam to the leading edge just in case.

Then I started on the Elevators, completing the first few steps. I cut out the ribs and sheer clips, fluted and straightened the outside ribs, and clecoed a bunch of stuff together ready for drilling, hopefully tomorrow.

Here are all the elevator parts, except the foam blocks and rudder skins. With this out on the workbench, the storage cupboards are starting to look empty.

Separating the ribs with tin snips:

Clecoed parts ready for drilling:

Ordered Quickbuild Wings and Fuse kits

Posted on by Neal

Today I placed my order for the QB wings and fuselage kits. The estimated lead time is 3 months, which covers the time up to delivery to the Vans factory for quality control inspection. From there, it will be crated and shipped, which will be a few more weeks. Based on my current progress and “velocity”, it should be arriving about the right time.

Looking at the elevator and trim tab plans, it’s going to be quite interesting to build. Lots of small parts, some new material (foam), the dreaded tank sealant, more trailing edge riveting, and (the hardest thing so far), leading edge rolling!