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Build Diary 31-July-05

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Working on the rear window and rollbar continues. I have painted the parts and it's final assembly time.

This weekend John flew over from the US for a weekend visit - I think it was really an excuse to visit the project! So I could not deny him the chance to squeeze a few rivets on the RV, and join the builders club.

Rear skin fitting. I have started by the rollbar and fitted the rollbar before finishing all the skin rivets. This will mean it's harder to get to the rest but I wanted to ensure I could get the rollbar fitted before fitting all the skin rivets.
I was quite pleased the rollbar dropped into place with a little wiggle (that's an RV technical term).
The build sequence here is: fit the skin, riveting at least the first three skin rivets. You can then fit the angle (not seen in this picture) under the rollbar mounting points. Next fit the R10 screws holding the rollbar brackets - these are the screws BEHIND the skin. Then drop the rollbar into place on the fuse.
The build sequence here is: fit the skin, riveting at least the first three skin rivets. You can then fit the angle (not seen in this picture) under the rollbar mounting points. Next fit the R10 screws holding the rollbar brackets - these are the screws BEHIND the skin. Then drop the rollbar into place on the fuse.


Here I am checking the alignment of rollbar to seat. Some builders have found they touch.
Here I am checking the alignment of rollbar to seat. Some builders have found they touch.
Not quite touching......
John (W) flew over from the US to visit, and could not resist the chance to have a go on the RV project.
Here's John squeezing his first rivets.
John is fitting the seat back-rest brackets.
I am dropping the rivets in and John is setting them.
Watch out, Tony is on the way........
Now Tony is lending a hand with all his years of aircraft techinical experience to the novice builder John. As you can see John is bowled over with the knowlege Tony is imparting to him.... John is such a lucky chap to have Tony about....!!! :-)
Now John (F) has arrived. Actually today it's been Mere's 50th birthday and we have hosted a party. At some stage everybody has been to visit the aircraft being built in the garage.
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