Stjohn's RV-7

4.5 hours
Today I was able to repaint the roll bar (still looks like ass close up, I suck at filler), but it’s better than it was, and is at least now a uniform gray. While that was drying, I mixed up a batch of the Devil’s Peanut Butter (Pro Seal) and put in the SafeAir1 static ports. Of course, I didn’t put the elbows fittings on first, so here’s hoping the fittings will wind up more or less vertically oriented when I do. Since I had a batch of the gray ooze mixed up, I decided to put on the cabin vents, the ones that fit up on the NACA scoops just behind the firewall. I’ve heard of it being done this way, so I’m going to give it a shot. If they don’t stick, I’ll rivet them on.
After the paint dried, I got the aft canopy section on. I’m missing 4 AN509C stainless steel screws, so I have to get those to do the last 3 holes. There’s a slight bit of pillowing on the left side, but it’s not bad, and honestly, I don’t care. It won’t be enough to be drafty or spoil the airflow, and until you’re right up on it, you won’t see it. Like Commander Adama says, “I need my planes to fly, Chief.” One bit of bastardry though: the backing strips I made for the aft canopy didn’t line up because when I drilled the pilot holes, I drilled them by clamping the strips to the top skin. With the thickness of the plexiglass between the top skin and the strips, the holes are out of position. Good thing those things are optional.
the last thing I did was a fiddly bit, two fiddly bits, actually. I installed the Adel clamps securing the rudder cable egress tubing to the aft fuselage. I think I’m going to make the rudder cable fairings that seem to be so popular out there these days. It’s easy and they look cool.
Next step is to prep for glassing the canopy fairing. And while I’m in glass mode, I should probably do the stabilizer tips. More foam. More fiberglass. Mmmm, tasty.