Category: Fuselage

I finished trimming the first firewall attach angle and drilled the pilot holes in it. Due to the trimming, the angle has a bit of a twist in it. I marked the centerline for the holes in the forward angle and then worked at getting the attach angle correctly aligned to allow the pilot holes to be transfered to the forward angle.

I finished drilling and countersinking for the strike plate fasteners. I keep finding that the spec’d fasteners seem to be a bit too long. I ended up adding a second washer to keep the number of threads showing 3 or below. While these are not structural fasteners, I felt it was still important to follow standards.

I completed the rudder pedal pivot block assemblies and worked n the fairlead mount blocks. I completed all of the holes in the fairlead blocks except for the 1/4 inch countersinks. The phenolic I started with measures just over 3/4 inch thick so I may need to sand the fairleads down to get 3/4 inches if the fairleads do not fit. This might effect the 1/4 inch counter bores depending on which side I sand. I’ll order the fairleads from Aircraft Spruce before I finish the mounting blocks.

Today I worked on the second flap drive pivot block. I had previously cut out the 1 inch wide strip from the 3/4 inch phenolic sheet. I trimmed the strip create two pieces 2-1/4 inches long and then worked at drilling the 3/16 inch holes. I used the flap drive mounts to ensure the alignment of the holes in the phenolic matched the aluminum mounts. I ended up creating a set of left and right flap drive blocks and mount. The final step was to use a spade bit in the drill press to drill the 1 inch hole. The holes seem to be a good slip fit on an 18mm socket that measures 1 inch diameter on the outside. I expect the production flap drive tube will have some paint on it that will require me to open up the flap drive blocks a bit. I plan to skip vent door latch but I still need to make 1/8 inch thick spacer plates.

I worked on the lower motor mounts today. I layed out the holes and proceeded to drill them. I completed one of the mounts, Including the 1/8 inch radius on the outside edge of the angle. The outher mount still needs to have the holes opened up and the radius added.

I worked at drilling the pilot holes in many of the F15 parts.

I started work on drilling and riveting the rudder pedal mount assemblies completing the right hand assembly.