Today, December 23rd, I was able to fit the aft root rib, ( I may have done this yesterday), remount the fwd ribs, drill the fwd skin, match drill the fwd skin and then updrill the entire lower skin area as well as mount the flap.
The wing is ready to flip over and finish the fwd skin and then match drilling and up drilling.
A couple other things to do before breaking it down for deburring, dimpleing and priming the ribs and skins as well as CS the spar caps.
I have to fit the fiberglass tip put the 40 nut plate for the tip. (3 hours)
Fit the aileron (match drill the hinge and updrill) (15 minutes)
CUT THE LANDING LIGHT!! (6 hours)This is one of those white knuckle jobs that require plenty of care as soooo much time has been invested in the skin and ribs that I do not want to mess them up.
Speaking of messing up. The one thing I did today, that I caught before going too far, is not realizing that I did not trim 3/4″ off the leading edge skin and proceeded to match drill the skin to the spar. Some explanation is needed here; the skin is formed with the top and bottom sections cut to 15-7/8″ so the vacuum forming will bend them symmetrically. After the leading edge is formed, the lower section (half) of the skin needs to be trimmed by about 3/4″. I marked the line where the trailing 3/4″ needed to be trimmed after it was formed (last spring) but I did not trim it off at that time. Although I did mark the drill holes and it was these marks that led me to realize that something was amiss. Fortunately I did not drill any of the field holesIt all turned out well and I only had to redo the match drilling to the spar after trimming the lower section to proper length.
A close call that would have been a real pain to correct. Lucky me.
