First attempt at supporting prop for installation of spinner plate assembly. I didn’t like it – way too precarious.
We wound up setting the prop on the hub with the rear face extended off the table’s edge. With two people holding it in place, that was sufficient to get the spinner plate bolted in place and torqued. Afterward, we just set it on its bolts.
Ring gear and alternator belt loosely in place. Yes, the paper towel was removed from the crank.
Lift strap wrapped around the prop hub and awaiting the engine hoist.
This worked even better than anticipated. Only a little manipulation of the hoist was required to get the bolts started. After that, it’s just a matter of doing a little on each one and continuing around the circle as the bolts draw the prop onto the crank and ring gear.
All snugged up and awaiting the arrival of the special prop wrench for final torquing and safety-wiring of the prop bolts.
All snugged up and awaiting the arrival of the special prop wrench for final torquing and safety-wiring of the prop bolts.
Front spinner bulkhead temporarily in place and, though it’s impossible to see here, the alternator has been positioned (tensioning the belt) and its bolts torqued and safety-wired as appropriate.
Conehead Ken. My wife was amused and it’s not for me to argue!
The interior has arrived!! It’ll be months before all these bits are installed, but there may be a sneak peak at one of the seats shortly…
The panel is done and ready to ship!
Main landing gear legs awaiting their date with the fuselage. That’ll be 6/4, hopefully…
The interior components arrived yesterday, so I popped the pilot’s seat back in place, set the floor panel loosely in place, and…
…Voila!
It’ll be a few months before all the bits are permanently installed, but there’ll be matching carpet, side panels, armrests, stick boots, etc. I think it turned out great; it’s easy to see why Abby at Flightline has her sterling reputation!
My sweaty mug aside, the real point of my sitting in there this morning was to check the position of the rudder pedals. I was concerned that, with my selected middle position for the pedals (possible to change now, but it would be a titanic PITA), none of the possible seat back positions would be a fit.
I’ve been hoping that the middle seat back position would be just right and, in fact, that’s exactly how it turned out. For other -14A builders keeping score, I’m 6′ tall with a 33/34″ inseam.
Glad to be this far along, but not thrilled with having to face the remaining 6-8 months of the project. Oh, well – there’s nothing to do but soldier on!
OK, closing the canopy for the first time with the actual seat installed was cool, even for me.
Yet another shot of yours truly. Thanks, Jean!
Canopy now removed for installation of remaining seals. Also, I needed it out of the way of upcoming fuselage work. Wiring, etc. It’ll be going into the house in the next few days.
The whole garage will have to be reconfigured – probably with the fuselage on the diagonal – to make room for all the FWF work. Before that, though, each wing will have to be mounted (temporarily, of course) to facilitate a few remaining tasks. Plus the tail, too.
Yep, that’s the canopy again.
Forward top skin finally going on for good. It’s attached with Proseal and rivets for the complete, belt & braces anti-leak solution. It’s done in three stages and today’s sealing session was the first. Tomorrow morning we’ll complete the riveting, followed by the second sealing stage. Fun times…
The forward top skin’s other side…
Getting ready for the gear mounting party next Tuesday by locating all of the necessary hardware. I’m dreading having to remove all of those labels, but that’s probably another project for tomorrow.
Van’s Aircraft Inc. – Why, oh why, do you persist in using those horrific white stickers on powdercoated parts?!? They’re a freaking nightmare to remove. If part numbers are really necessary (not too many of the powdercoated parts could possibly be mistaken for anything else), write them on with Sharpie. At least that would come off with a swipe of acetone.
