Zodie


Time to fit the wings. I spent a lot of time figuring out how to do this. The plans have you tilt the aircraft and then drop a plumb line along the rivet line. Projecting a line up to where the string needs to be works the same. You need to have the string set up so it is lined up on both the left and right sides of the cockpit.

As you can see the rivet line is lined up with the string. The angle of the camera is a little off.

Here you can see it from above. It really ended up fairly straight.

The other thing that is important is to have the dihedral set correctly. This will have significant effect on the trimming. I put the wing on a rolling jig and moved it in and out to trim.

Here you can see a line that I traced to take off a little at a time. Remember it is always easy to cut it off but not as easy to put it back on.

Another view.

Again trimming a little at a time.

Next is hooking up the airlerons.

Once I got the bell crank installed I stuck a stick in and pulled out the cables.

Came out nicely.

Before I go too far I need to bleed the brakes.

This went well. I used a jug with a couple of hoses to push the fluid.

With my air compressor pressure turned down I pumped air in on top and the fluid flowed with out any bubbles up the tube.

Then I just watched the top of the master cylinder and when the fluid started flowing out the hole I put the screw back in. Then I cleaned up the mess. This is after the clean up.

I planned on a 1/4 inch of spacing on top for the gasket. But this needs to open up a little more. Still looks pretty good.

One thing I did was position the leading edge skin too far out board. This ended up leaving a gap.

So I made a spacer and riveted it in.

Next time I will follow the plans a little closer. Oh well this will work fine. Probably wont see it with the gasket.

Have to do the same on the other wing. But not as bad.

I am really glad I have the access hatches. Very handy. Here is the set up for the Pitot Static.

I routed the pitot static lines down close to the throttle

Here you can see where they pass. Also the protection from chafing.

Hooking up the elevator

I am shooting for 25 to 30 lbs on the tension.

Took a couple of trys, but got the safety wire set.

There really wasn't a stop in the plans for the elevator down. So I added these stops.

Tail is on. One problem the rudder cables are a little short. So I ordered some more cable. One thing I have learned. You can fix just about anything and it is not that hard.

All the parts together.

Cut the aft spar hole and mounted the wings. This took quite a bit of trimming and seemed to go slow. But it fit rather nice.

Wing bolts in but haven't torqued yet. You can see the fuel sender and the fuel hose. I would rather have all of the nuts fwd for easier inspection. But the top bolts can only be installed facing aft.

I ended up using scat hose rather than the radiator hose. This will work fine.

Had to let her see the sky for the first time.

Looking good