Good afternoon gentlemen,
It is currently pissing down with dogged persistence here. The pool is overflowing, and the grass doesn't know what has hit it. The shed is wonderfully waterproof, of course, so the plane is safe and sound.
I trial fitted the bulkheads today - and just as well I cut them from 3mm MDF, because none of them fit. It's very tricky with bulkheads which are at an angle, but I've made some adjustments, and tomorrow I'll cut a new batch and see how well they fit. When I'm happy, I'll cut into the beautiful 4mm Hoop Pine.
I have been fretting over what to use as a gas tank. I reckon 20 litres aught to do it, but there is precious little space inside this tiny airframe. I checked online, visited the buggy, and yachting sites, but nothing really. Some suggestions from the HBA community helped, and then I flashed on the fact that I have a 20 litre Poly petrol can. I tried it, and it fits like a glove in the forward area just behind the firewall. I had to change the cowl base bulkhead to accommodate it, but it looks like a very good option. I am guessing one can find feeder and breather fittings. At 7.5 litres/hr, that'll give me 2 hrs + reserve. More than enough. Oh - did I mention these petrol cans are cheap.
I also trial fitted the roof today. Every bulkhead (including the roof, seat, seat-back) helps square up the fuselage. I'm very happy so far. Now I just have to figure out what bulkheads I can bond in place that still allow me access to the control rods and bellcranks.
Finally, I cut the MDF test pieces for the cowl. Front and back semi-circles, over which the cowl will be fixed. These will need to be on hinges, because I need to get access to the gas tank.
That's it for today. I'll send some photos as soon as the Internet comes back on line.
Regards,
Duncan
P.S. I have a small but growing number of people who have expressed and interest in this little plane. I email them with updates (the above is today's update) and a regular basis. Since I don't always post updates on HBA, if you'd like to be included in my email list, please let me know (PM me with your email addy, and I'll include you).