The interior is coming along, and looking sharp. Very exciting stuff.
Seatbacks were primed and riveted together. A bit heavier on the primer wouldn’t have hurt, but they look fine.
The rear skins (top) were removed to start work on the gussets, static system, and prep the same skins for installation.
I created some keepers for the static lines. These were fun. they’re riveted in place with the “rivets between rivets” that hold the side skins to the longeron until the rear top skins are installed.
The tight shots look a little gratuitous, but I assure you, these look pretty clean.
I ran the static line, where I made a pretty large blunder. More details available in an upcoming video, but the static port is in the “wrong” location. I use quotes, because a chat with Van’s assured me the current location will work just fine.
On the call I shared some additional concern that this drilled out rivet wasn’t sufficient for keeping a static line attached. Van’s sold me on the $30 “static install kit” that has some small static ports with keeper flanges on the nipple.
Van’s acknowledged the confusion between their “static install kit” and their “static install kit.” One is purchased when buying the fuselage kit, and includes the line, the two rivets, some push fittings, and a t-connector. One is purchased as a parts order and includes the two upgraded static ports.
Directly to Van’s: At this point, no one cares about the $30 increase–merge the kits, eliminate the confusion.
At this point, I prepped the rear skins, dimpled, and primed. The forward part of one skin will need white where it protrudes beyond the 706 bulkhead.
The Akzo is so much easier to shoot compared to the white primer. I had forgotten all about the simplicity, the quick drying. It was like I fell in love all over again!
I’ll wait a bit to get these installed, and run as many systems aft as I can. But if I run out of things to do and have an extra hand, I’ll like rivet them on and plan on spending more time crammed in the aft fuselage.
Now where’s that finishing kit…