This kit is in the shop! I rented a truck on September 7. 2001 and drove to Aurora to load it up. It has been inventoried, and awaits the completion of the wings. A few pictures of new airplane pieces:
The flap motor and fuel selector valve sit on the right wing.
The fuselage jig. A sturdy framework is attached to the floor and 2x4s across the top provide level and plumb points to support the bulkheads. The string was used to insure that all of the bulkhead supports are at the same elevation.
A closeup of a bulkhead support. I used outdated business cards as shims in leveling these crosspieces.
The mostly completed jig.
RV-8A Fuselage Construction
The firewall clamped to the jig. Note that the fuselage starts out inverted.
The lower longerons need to be bent to the shape of the fuselage.
Detail of how we clamped the longerons prior to bending.
We rigged a plumb bob to insure that the bulkheads are vertical and centered.
The rear-most bulkhead attached to the jig
Most of the bulkheads are now attached to the jig
Closeup of the center section bulkhead. The wing main spar attaches here.
The center section assembly in progress
Ken Foote fitting a bulkhead. This gentleman gave me my first ride in a light aircraft.
Click The main longeron is clamped to the jig, and we are ready for skins!
The first side skin gets drilled on.
The white on this next skin is really a plastic coating to protect the aluminum.
Another view of the same skin ... the 2x8 is a wing spar simulator, shimmed to the same thickness as the main wing spar. This should insure that the wing will fit when it is time to mate the wings and fuselage.
Beginning to drill the first rear side skin on. Without the plastic coating it is like a mirror!
All of the bottom skins are drilled on to the skeleton.
Closeup of the lower aft end.
You can't have too many clamps!
Inside view looking aft. The lucky soul who bucks the rivets inside here is thankful for hearing protection.
