28/05/2008 - Its all about the inner rib !!

More tools arrived today.  Crows feet, so I can torque AN pipe fittings, a circle cutter (just in time too) and some extra stuff.  The second picture shows a rudder stop developed in the US instead of using the angles on the side of the fuselage.  Thought I would have one of those, it fits on the lower rudder bracket so is completely hidden, I will see what Martin the inspector thinks of it when the time comes !  The holes that attach the baffle plate to the skin get countersunk, takes a little while there are a lot of holes.

Time to turn the attention back to the dreaded bracket, its come on a little way in the picture below and now I am sizing up where the AN fitting should go as well as the rivets so the nut will still turn and not foul on the rivet heads.  Using the unibit and bench drill the hole was opened up for the fitting. 

Had enough of the bracket for a while so turned my attention to creating the inspection hatch.  Out comes the circle cutter and I was surprised (with the bench drill turned down to 210 revs) that it was quite easy to cut.  The strengthening ring is then back drilled to the rib and the rivet holes only are dimpled.  The strengthening ring has then to be countersunk for it to be a snug fit.  As this tank is having the flop tube, I made the first anti hang up device, not sure I am happy with it yet, but the last picture shows the flop tube, ring, nutplates, and anti hang-up device all in situ

Well I think that's enough for today !