Monthly Archives: December 2013
December time-lapse video
I created a time-lapse video of my workshop using pictures I’ve taken during the build, from 2 perspectives. I have 2 tripods setup in fixed positions to give myself a stable platform to duplicate my shots, but there’s still a bit of wiggle, I’ve done my best to smooth it out. The video basically has … Continue reading
Aft Fuselage #7 (Completion)
Total build time: 215 hours. A polished turtledeck, ready to rivet. Other builders probably notice in those photos the modification I made the aft bulkhead. It was with reluctance that I needed those holes but was a result of another modification to the forward stabilator spar attach point that I made (and was given … Continue reading
Empennage #7 (Completion)
Total build time: 211 hours. Now that I have my skins polished, it’s time to rivet together the remainder of the empennage. Ruddervators: Rudder: I then clecoed the stabilators to the aft fuselage and installed my new parts to check fitment. Everything fits and looks great!
Empennage and turtledeck polishing.
Total build time: 208 hours. With several large skins ready for riveting, I needed to get some polishing out of the way before proceeding with construction. I’ve decided that I will not be painting my aircraft (other than the small fiberglass parts, wing tips etc.) There are several reasons for this including looks, weight savings, … Continue reading
Empennage #6 (Rudder)
Total build time: 201 hours. Some might wonder why this airplane is called the Waiex and not the VeeEx. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s because this is actually a Y-tailed aircraft, as opposed to a V-tailed aircraft that has been more prevalent in the past (such as the V-tailed Bonanza.) This fact … Continue reading
Empennage #5 (Stabilators)
Total build time: 193 hours. Airplanes that have a “conventional tail” have 2 types of control surfaces in the empennage: a rudder and an elevator. Since my plane is a “Y” tail, it has a special name for the primary tail control surfaces: ruddervator. Clever. The shape of these surfaces came to me pre-formed … Continue reading
Aircraft in a basement
In the interest of planning and demonstration, I made some graph paper cutouts to experiment with different ways to fit my aircraft inside my basement, as well as some planning to get it out of my basement when I’m ready. The plane will get quite big pretty quickly. Here’s how I initially thought I would … Continue reading
Aft Fuselage #6 (Turtledeck)
Total build time: 182 Hours. With the turtledeck completely up-drilled for rivets, it’s time to peel it back apart for deburring. And reassemble! At this point I’m also polishing the skins. At this point I have completely riveted up the substructure for the turtledeck, but have not yet riveted the skins … Continue reading
What is a rivet? (Pop rivets)
A rivet is probably a term that most everyone has heard, but not everyone has seen in action. A simple way to think of a rivet is as a permanent bolt. You put it through a hole like a bolt, and once tightened (squeezed or hammered) it holds in place with heads on both sides … Continue reading
What is a cleco?
I use the word cleco a lot, usually in the context of “wow look at all those clecoes!” or “such and such cleco”. A cleco is a temporary sheet metal fastener. It has a small strong spring inside that, when compressed, will cause the tip of the cleco to simultaneously elongate in length and shrink … Continue reading
Aft Fuselage #5 (Turtledeck cleco)
Total build time: 166 Hours. The aft fuselage tail cone box is complete, but with skins on the left, right, and bottom, it now needs a top! The top is called the turtledeck, as it resembles a curved turtle shell covering (I presume.) Parts layout: This next bit was to bend the turtledeck into place … Continue reading
Aft Fuselage #4 (Tail cone box)
Total build time: 150 hours. Slowly but surely the entirety of the tail cone box is up-drilled and progressively stripped back apart. As I back out the parts I have to think carefully about how it will ultimately be riveted together… going in the wrong order will seal me off from areas that I may … Continue reading
Aft Fuselage #3 (Tail cone box cleco)
Total build time: 112 hours First, cut a large hole for an access panel in the floor of the aft fuselage. Its funny how much pride one can take from making a pretty hole in aluminum sheet metal. Time to make use of those hundreds of clecoes I invested in… up goes the aft fuselage … Continue reading