DMC AFM8

Here's my new d-sub crimper - a DMC AFM8. It crimps the tiny pins that go in common electrical connectors that are used in light aircraft. I'm getting ready to order avionics so I'll need a new set of tools and skills. This was another e-bay bargain.

Last Of The Fuselage Skins

Here's the last of the fuselage skins. It's the top skin just aft of the baggage compartment. There will be other small tasks to complete, but other than the canopy, this will mostly finish the fuselage. Next, on to the firewall forward.

 

Ready to rivet.

 

Finishing Forward Top Skin

I've completed all the preparations for finishing the forward top skin except for riveting it on permanently. I'll wait until I've painted the cockpit and added a few firewall forward items as access will be easier with the skin off. The time to finish things has been a lot like painting. If you've done much painting, you know that most of the work is in the preparation. A lot of work has gone into getting this section ready for final assembly, probably 80% of the total.

Engine Received

I picked up a big box today. Wonder what's in it? It's marked Aero Sport Power on the outside. Many thanks to Dale and the guys at Dealer's Electric. Sure helps having friends with a loading dock and a forklift. After I get it home and can open the top, I'll post some more pictures.

Easy fit in the truck.

 

Here's the box opened. Extremely well packed and protected. My Dad said they must have done this a few times.

Here's a close up of one of the cylinders. It's fully pickled (prepared for long term storage) with plastic wrap and desiccant plugs and packs to prevent rust from forming on inside parts. The desiccant plugs replace the spark plugs and have blue desiccant inside clear plastic tubes. The desiccant turns pink when it absorbs moisture.

Forward Deck and Instrument Panel

Working on match drilling the upper forward deck and the instrument panel. Don't tell anyone I'm working in my sock feet!

Prepping For Paint

One of the things I've wanted to do prior to painting the plane was repaint Paula's bumper as a learning experience. After lots of studying, I bought the primer and paint and clear coat and did the deed. It's not perfect but it turned out really well (at least in my opinion). Really good practice, especially on all the prep and cleanup and general flow to the job. Nothing was too hard but there are a lot of steps to getting it right.

Here are some of the materials used.

Here's the bumper. It was peeling badly after being repaired by Hill Country Customs in New Braunfels. We also had to pay to have the wiring to the headlights fixed as they had reversed the wires and we got stopped by the cops for having a headlight out.

Elevator Inspection Plate

Finished a small job, the elevator inspection plates. They're removable to allow inspection of the elevator attachment.