Progress... and going backwards.

Positives and negatives this week.

Clear was shot on a ton of parts yesterday.  Struts, flaps, right wing, elevator, spinner, etc.  Most of it looks good, but the wing does not look good.  One side is flat and orange peel.  Not sure what the plan is at this point.

So I got to work on the fuselage.  I have the rudder and stab, so getting everything in the fin and aft fuselage ready.  Everything is torqued, torque sealed, cotter pinned, etc.  Elevator bell crank, rudder hinge bolts, tailwheel, etc.  And I cleaned... and cleaned.

The front window looks like its going to be good.  Peeled a bit of tape away to peek.

Rudder installed, all cables connected with correct hardware, etc.

Prepping the stab and elevator for install.

Door seals installed.

Sheerwebs in the tailcone... these have been on the shelf for years.... What should I have been an easy job took hours.  The issue:  The SB that adds the reinforcing plate to the vertical fine (upside down pitchfork) moved the attach tabs back slightly.  So nothing fit correctly.  Had to open up the holes in the angle brackets on bulkhead C to adjust the alignment.  Lots of cursing involved in this one.

Mated up the stab, elevator and trim tab.  The pins went missing (again), but luckily had enough material left to make new ones.  I think this is the 3rd set I have made.

Still need to put the pin keepers in.  Then the whole assembly can be installed.

Should be getting more parts back this week.  The marathon continues...

Getting parts back from paint...

After just over 4 months, starting to get parts back.  The fuselage was towed back across the airport yesterday.

Safe and sound in the hangar.

Back to work!

Things underway:

1. ELT tray going in.
2. Static ports
3. Door hinge fasteners
4. Exhaust install
5. Exhaust shield
6. Rudder hinge rework

So much to do... just gotta get started.

Post paint temporary assembly and fitting...

Started assembling a bit to check for fit post paint, and to line up some components for the stripes / swoops.

Looks SO GOOD.  The blue is amazing.

Some minor issues with the cowl fitting that will require a bit of tweaking.  Very pleased with the lines on the cowl.  Very pleased overall!

Not across the finish line yet, but definitely getting closer.

And still more paint....

Wow... that's all I can say.  Shaun and crew are doing a great job.

Super cool.

And even more paint...

More paint pics.  Progressing slowly, yet progressing all the same.

Flaps, ailerons, etc painted.

Cowling and rudder installed temporarily to mask off for the 'swoops'.

Same again for the stab and elevator.  The yellow goes through the rudder base fairing, so needed to assemble so everything lines up correctly.

Another couple weeks, and then reassembly begins!

More Paint...

 Paint is progressing slowly, but progress none the less.

All of the tail feathers are in white.  The rudder WAS painted, but the yellow and blue 'swoops' were reversed... so that has been stripped and is ready for primer again.

Also, the seat pans and inserts were accidentally painted white.  So they need to get stripped as well.

The wings, ailerons and flaps will be started this week (June 2, 2025).

Time for PAINT!

On Thu, Apr 10 we move all the bits and pieces over to the paint shop.  I figured 'it's not that far, we can just push it'.  Well, it's probably a KM... didn't look that far.  Will tow it on the way back.

No progress on Thursday... they are finishing up a Cherokee 6.

Doesn't look like they are going to work on it on Friday.  Still finishing up the cowl on the Cherokee.  Hurry up and wait it seems like...

Monday, April 21:  Progress!  Taping began today.  Prep begins tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 22

Lots of block sanding today and filling.

Wednesday, April 23

More filling and sanding.  First coat of primer.

Thursday, April 24

Rudder, top of cowl and doors primed.

More bodywork...

First coat of while (Materhorn White)

The good news:  The fuselage is looking awesome.

The bad news:  The edges of the doors need work.  The cowl has a bunch of blemishes that need fixing.  

The really good news:  It will all be fixed :-)

Next is tape / striping.

This process was very iterative, but i am SO please with the results.  We nailed it.  Very close to the drawings.  BUT, the drawings did not have the hinges... and I did not want a stripe going through a hinge.

My original idea was to polish the hinges.  But after looking at them, they need to be painted.

But I am REALLY pleased with how the cowl looks.  It was worth all the effort.

Next is the yellow!

It looks wicked!  Blue goes on Monday, May 12.

All the little bits are ready for prime as well.

Next is the blue... it's a weird colour.  In some lights its super dark, and it some lights its far lighter.  

And for the big reveal.... 

The guys in the paint shop have done a fantastic job.  Words cannot describe how grateful I am.

Austin, Jarred, Taran and Shaun.... THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Next is.... everything else.  Wings, tail, wing tips, fairings, etc, etc, etc.