Finished Right Leading Edge

Below, I've finished the right wing leading edge and permanently attached it to the wing spar. It went fast having just completed the left one plus there is no stall warner or pitot tube to worry about in the right wing. Not that I was worried...just since the right wing doesn't have them, nothing to worry about...although, I did worry a little bit on the left wing...but only the good kind of worry that makes you concentrate and do a good job...but nothing to worry about in the right wing since it's stall warner and pitot free. After my tight access experience riveting the left wing, I got Paula to help with the most difficult rib to spar riveting . She actually did great and taught me something. She didn't grip the bucking bar very tightly which worked better. I think I have been holding it too tightly to the shop head side of rivets. On the ones I could reach, I eased up on my grip and sure enough, better rivets. Thanks, Paula!

Tight Access vs. Big Hands

In my previous post, I mentioned the tight access through the lightning hole while riveting the leading edge ribs to the spar. It got me thinking last night about limited access in general. I'm hoping that that was the worst of it although I still have the right wing to go. The picture below shows what I had to do to get my hand through the lightning hole. I'm not complaining about this minor scrape (or the matching one on my thumb) as that's to be expected when working with machines. I am worried that if there are any access openings just slightly smaller my hands will never fit.

Finished Left Leading Edge

Here's the left leading edge finished and permanently riveted to the spar (actually, just a couple of perimeter rivets left but they're easy and fast). The tank is also attached but only with bolts and screws every other hole per the directions. Must have to remove it later for something. Everything fits and looks great. Riveting the leading edge was much easier than the tanks because there wasn't any proseal. The hardest part was riveting the internal ribs to the spar. I had to reach up through lightning holes in the spar to hold the bucking bar but my hands were a size too large to easily fit through the holes. It was difficult enough that once I got my left hand through, I left it there and did everything else with just my right hand...and knees...and mouth...you get the idea.

Second Tank Finished and Leak Free

I have been steadily working on the plane but time has been a little harder to come by and given a choice, I'd rather build than blog. Below, I've finished the second tank and I just need to wait to let it dry before leak testing. This tank went much faster and using the Semco sealant gun made it much easier. The first tank took about 3 months to finish and the second tank took about 3 weeks! The wood cradles on top of the tanks are only there as a place to store them. Update: The tank tests leak free! I went through 2 bottles of soapy water going over the pressurized tank three times and no leaks were found.