The upper firewall fabrication involves lots of nut plate installation and match drilling of piano hinges. Much of the drilling is through the stainless steel firewall itself, a bit harder than the usual aluminum. A drop of BoeLube on the bit helps with this. I included the
"optional" stiffener kit installation with the firewall since they connect. As might be imagined, the stiffener kit is much easier to install at this point in the build. The instructions are written as if it's a retrofit, so all of the rivet removal described was avoided. The kit does involve drilling 40 or so holes in the side skin, some from the inside out and some from the outside in. At this stage in the build, I approach the drilling of holes in the skin with fear and trepidation. Screwing the skin up would be unimaginably bad.
Oshkosh is finally here!
I accomplished nothing on the build today, devoting the entire day to getting ready to leave tomorrow morning at the butt crack of dawn for a week at Oshkosh. As we did last year, we're having a get-together of RV-12 builders. At last count, 42 people are scheduled to meet on Tuesday. I'll get a group picture and post it. I've been listening on the web to ATC for KOSH (tower for 18-36) and I'm pumped from hearing all the planes land. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be sitting in the grass beside the runway with radio in hand, witnessing it in person. Can't wait.
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