Final assembly and wing mounting in process

Ready for the big airplane moving day…

Getting ready for the big move. I really thought that extricating the fuselage from the garage would be a MAJOR ordeal. Thankfully, with the great group of guys I had on hand, it wound up being anticlimactic.— with Shane Barker, Alex Cole and Dan Ruehl.

With Mark Atwood, Glenn Martin, Paul Chuchel and Shane Barker.

With Dan Ruehl, Alex Cole, Glenn Martin and Mark Atwood.

With Dan Ruehl, Paul Chuchel, Shane Barker and Glenn Martin.

With Jean Balch, Paul Chuchel, Dan Ruehl and Shane Barker.

With Shane Barker, Dan Ruehl, Jean Balch and Paul Chuchel.

Out in the sun for the first time!!

With Alex Cole and Dan Ruehl.

With Shane Barker, Glenn Martin, Alex Cole, Dan Ruehl, Paul Chuchel and Jean Balch.

With Shane Barker, Glenn Martin, Alex Cole, Dan Ruehl, Paul Chuchel and Jean Balch.

With Jean Balch.

With Jean Balch.

With Alex Cole and Dan Ruehl.

With Shane Barker, Glenn Martin, Alex Cole, Dan Ruehl, Paul Chuchel and Jean Balch.

With Shane Barker, Glenn Martin, Alex Cole, Dan Ruehl, Paul Chuchel and Jean Balch.

With Jean Balch.

With Jean Balch.

Beginning to load the plane onto the trailer. It looked a little precarious, but having such a great crew made it go smoothly.

Unloading begins…

Getting ready to mount the first wing… — with Dan Ruehl, Shane Barker, Mark Atwood and Paul Chuchel.

With Dan Ruehl, Shane Barker, Alex Cole, Mark Atwood and Paul Chuchel.

With Dan Ruehl, Shane Barkerand Glenn Martin.

With Glenn Martin.

The second wing successfully mounted. That’s the first time that both wings have been on simultaneously. It looks like a real RV now!

Everyone was glad to take a turn trying it on for size. I’m looking forward to giving rides to all of these guys! — with Mark Atwood and Dan Ruehl.

With Mark Atwood and Dan Ruehl.

With Shane Barker, Mark Atwoodand Dan Ruehl.

Most of the crew – missing only Glenn, who had to leave a bit earlier. — with Paul Chuchel, Alex Cole, Jean Balch, Shane Barker, Mark Atwood and Dan Ruehl.

Safely ensconced its hangar…

Fuselage, canopy installation

Shoulder harness cables installed.

Infinity grip installation underway. Here, the passenger stick has been cut down, the powdercoat stripped off the end, and the spacer fitted.

The guts of the passenger’s Infinity grip. Some fiddly little parts in there. I’d forgotten how much fun it was from the last time…

The canopy has been installed – hopefully for good! Thanks, Alex, for all of your help today. — with Alex Cole.

Canopy installed!

Canopy installed!

Canopy installed!

Canopy installed!

Panel installation underway

All of the individual dangly bits were bubble-wrapped and taped, then supported in the box as we moved the panel into the garage. The panel was then held in front of the panel frame while the harness was fed through from left to right.

Thanks, Alex, for your help today and the great idea to use the box!

Yours truly having just clecoed the panel in place. Seriously relieved!

Yours truly having just clecoed the panel in place. Seriously relieved!

The panel has found its home. The big hole in the middle will shortly be filled with a GTN750. There will be a remote audio panel, remote comm, and remote transponder behind the panel, along with a ton of other stuff. CO detector, GEA24, GAD27, GAD29, IBBS, etc.

Photobombed by this morning’s assistant. As always, excellent company; thanks, Alex! — with Alex Cole.

And one without the bomber…

Most of the wire bundles have now had their zip ties cut, been uncoiled, and roughly routed.

This is where I’ll be for the next month or so. Anybody who’d like to help is welcome…