I've been working pretty hard on the fuselage since the beginning of the year. Got the fuel system done, most of the brake system and the left skin is now attached.
So I'm working on the avionics bay now and things are looking great.
Our local EAA monthly chapter meeting was canceled due to snow so I had a helper and we worked on the instrument panel.
This week I finished with most of the remaining fuselage parts.
The first thing you do is separate them, deburr, scuff, wash and dry.
The last step is crazy... After a few hours of drying you can bake them in the oven for 60 minutes at 160 degrees. These parts are ready to use but some will be painted a final color for looks or corrosion resistance. If a hard durable finish is required I wait a week or longer for them to completely dry. I them wipe them down with a rough rag, paint them their final color, let the dry for a few days or longer and then bake for 60 minutes at 160 degrees. The result is a be very consistent poor man's powder coat finish.
It's nearly impossible to really get the feeling how much work is needed to build a plane unless you participate in building one. Kinda like not being able to understand how much your Dad loved you without being a dad.
Life is good and very importantly the chicken is once again ready to fly after our fourth nose gear overhaul in less than a month.🤞
Thanks to our local A&P Scott... That nose gear piston looks super shiny 😆.
