John's Build

[jrevens]

I used VHT brand on my panel, Josh. Unfortunately, I think it probably wouldn't work well, and would chip. It's hard to say for sure. I believe that a powder-coated finish like Lowell mentioned might work better because it would probably be tougher... just an educated guess. A finer wrinkle finish would be better for that than a coarser one. You can control that by varying the thickness of the wet coat(s). Thinner = finer. Mine varies a little, but it is what I might call a "medium" wrinkle.

[jrevens]

Getting towards the end now. I've finished installation of windshield and turtledeck cover, although some modification of turtledeck to come after wings are installed. I'll be moving it to the hangar in about a week and will do that then. I used some gray soft silicone rubber foam tape for the windshield/skylight seal. I also used nutplates on butt ribs and rear attach angle.

[jrevens]

Recent talk about glare shield overhang on another thread... I just finished my glare shield and left a 1" overhang, perhaps contoured a little differently than most. I found a nice Naugahyde material at the fabric store - automotive grade, with low flammability and high UV rating, plus it doesn't seem to have the typical vinyl "smell". A little 303 protectant every so often and it should last "forever".

[efwd]

That looks great John. I love how you cut the holes for the hardware through the foam. I wish I had known that trick back when I did the door and acrylic install. I will certainly be doing that this time. did you have to sharpen the edge of the tube to get it to actually cut or was it thin enough wall to do the job?
Eddie

[jrevens]

I sharpened the end of the tube, Eddie. It doesn't take much. I was thinking today that one of those cheap little tools for punching holes in plastic irrigation drip system tubing might work well for that too. Actually just poking a hole with an awl is good, and you get a little more potential sealing around the screw to help prevent water entering that way.

[southwind32]

What's the tool in the third picture, looks like some kind of hole finder?
Thanks PS. Beautiful Job you're doing.

[jrevens]

Yes, it's a hole finder/ duplicator strap, homemade. I made several - that one specifically to locate the holes in the plexiglas of the windshield/skylight. I did those holes a little "backward", laying out and drilling them in the butt ribs and the rear angle first, installing nut plates, then locating them on the plexi. Thank you for the compliment!

[jrevens]

Happy day today... moved my bird to the airport!

[jrevens]

Thanks you guys... it's the first time my truck's been in the garage in a few years, and Winter's coming.

[rosslr]

It looks good John - very nice looking plane. Now you are getting close - do you plan flying before winter?

Congratulations on a great milestone - I assume the trip to the airport went without any problems?

cheers

ross