Fusalage Envelope

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 13:14

Mike: How about the count on just the fusealage. I have the wings figured out very well. I'm leaning towards putting them where I think I will need them, after all I do not have to cut them out until needed. I only had 4 to start and I do not feel this is enough.

Any others out there with a count of how many they have?

Ps Thanks Nathan

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 18:21

Just a suggestion, but I would put a inspection ring under or rather just before the tail wheel spring front bolt. I would not cut it out though unless needed. Mostly because it fill up with dirt, moisture (or snow in my case).
I cut mine out as the previous owner had cut it out on the old fabric but wound up covering it with 'duct tape' during the winter to prevent snow from entering. I've never had an occasion to need that inspection spot anyway as I can reach anything I need through the side inspection holes.
(For the 'whatever it's worth department

).

Mike Berg

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 18:39

Thanks Mike... That's what Im looking for is good ideas

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 01:19

After much thought I was able to place all of my needed inspection rings and are now ready to spray poly brush,poly spray,and then some poly tone. Thanks for all of your inputs. I ended up putting 7 rings on.

On another note I wanted to share a delima I have overcome. After finishing up the paper and tape masking job on the open areas, I found the it had become very difficult to turn the fusealage by hand due to the lack of hand holds that had paper covering them.

What worked for me was to place 5/16 x 6 bolts with jam nuts into the langing gear attach holes for both sides and the bottom. Now I have great handholds to rotate while painting. (always nice to use gravity to keep the part being sprayed flat)

Spent alot more time on the iron flattining pinks and the such also. Lesson learned here for me was " time spent here is rewarded many fold when you spray the silver and you can suddenly see it all very clearly what you did not spend time with the iron fixing"

I do not believe that this ole bird is very happy being upside down on the turning jig either (ha ha )

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Fri May 02, 2008 01:02

The fusealage re cover is coming along very well. I have been painting in about 50-62 degree weather and have had no problems. As a matter of fact I believe that the slower drying times are helping the poly tone be just a little glossier than perhaps hot weather would permit. More on these results when I do the wings. Someone on the board said a while back 6,000 pieces......well only 3,000 to go after three years.. Im really starting to get excited about learning to fly.
Any good LSA instructors around central California?
Thanks for all the help everybody.

Del

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Fri May 02, 2008 01:27

Looking good Del!!!

nkh

Post by **joea** » Fri May 02, 2008 03:32

Del,

Get over to Middletown in six weeks and bet you can find someone to give you some dual in a Champ over there!

Fuselage is looking nice but next time pls post some larger pics.

Joe

DELCOM · Post by **DELCOM** » Sun May 04, 2008 23:48

Well the lastest on the envelope progress is it's done. Still lots of other parts needed to go but for now it is a very good feeling to have finished the re cover of the fusealage. Some new N numbers and this should be looking good.

Post by **joea** » Mon May 05, 2008 00:47

Del,

That is simply beautiful. Now get some "N" numbers made for YOUR plane from Jim in Houston that accent the colors and keep moving forwards!

Once you get to this point it really gets fun as everything starts looking like a real airplane.

Joe

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:37

Yea, see Jim. He does fantastic work.

Dennis