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FUSELAGE

The fuselage kit arrived in late March as I was working on the rudder. I started to construct the fuselage sides after I lengthened my workbench from 12' to 16' (by 4'). The sides went together very quickly and in a matter of a couple of weeks I had the basic shape come together. The fuselage is constructed, as I've come to expect, on the full size plans. There is a builder’s manual, which gives a step-by-step guide. For the most part, if you read it a few times, things will make sense. If I'm still stumped, or have some stupid question, I'll call FFP and talk with Gene or Chuck. I would call once a week on average and never did I get anything but great service.

You can see the wings in the rafters and some of the tail surfaces on the wall.

After the basic box structure is constructed, the tail is pulled together and cross members are added. Then load of gussets are installed along with corner blocks. This seems to take forever. But not too much later it was time to install the panel, turtle deck and baggage compartment. My only change to the plans has been to lengthen the baggage compartment by one former as suggested by Dennis Robinson. If will be nice to have a place to stuff a jacket or two. The gear was fun and fairly straightforward. Then it was time for initial taxi tests with the family!

I then proceeded to coat the fuselage with Systems Three Epoxy. It is completely compatible with there T-88 structural adhesive and doesn't require multiple coats of the stuff to do the job. The control sticks and rudder pedal where then bolted in place.