Section 30 Aft Fuselage Attachment and a touch of Section 29 at the end

RV14 Build February 6-10 

Aft Fuselage Attachment

This section was fairly straight forward. Just line it up and rivet. I did add some primer to the empennage where the skins mated to protect for the long term first and doubled back to section 29 and added the root fairing attach angles.

Priming the areas where the skins overlap on the empennage. I didn't do the top side skins to the side skins when I build but thus area I could still peel back and have access to.

Bottom of the empennage leading edge where the fuselage will overlap.

Fuselage areas of overlap. Also did the side skins that the plans had you shave/feather the edge of.

Last summer there where some HOT days in the shop and I sweated on the metal and didn't clean it off well. Now it has formed surface corrosion so I used Scotch-Brite to remove the bad areas.

Finally together and ready to rivet.

The plans are rather specific about the riveting order, the substructure to the aft bulkhead right above my toes I never did find where they said to rivet these 2 rivets?

Matt came into town to help, don't know how you would do it alone.

The top is done, just need to flip it and do the sides and bottom.

Done for the day

Got it flipped over! its not super heavy, but there is a good weight shift when going from its side to upside down. Only a few more rivets to go!

 

View of the whole thing.

Working through the plans with more riveting!

Having the plane upside down was really nice access for riveting without leaning over or having to sit inside and trying not to damage anything. It also served to vibrate out all the debris and dust during the riveting. I had to wear a mask and eye protection when we first started bucking because of that!

 Glamour photo shoot!

Section 29 Stuff
FWD MID FUSE Side Structure

Riveting on the root fairing attach angles

Aft Fuselage Attachment 23 Man Hours

FWD MID FUSE Side Structure 1 Man Hours