I reinstalled the center subpanel and Jenn helped me quickly knock out the rivets that tie it to the outer subpanel sections and forward ribs. I then installed the canopy pivot blocks and radio stack. You can also see that I added some blue tape on the canopy decks to protect the paint.
I ordered a custom bucking bar from the Yard Store to rivet the remaining firewall rivets that are too close to the engine mount. Despite looking promising on the website, it was still too big to fit between the firewall flange and engine mount. I marked the material that looked like it needed to be removed and machined it off in the vertical mill (sorry, no pictures).
Here’s the modified bucking bar. I’ll know soon enough if it will work.
With the subpanel installed, I could reinstall all of the components that are attached to it. I still have a fair amount of work before the panel can go back in though.
I used the bucking bar I modified to finish riveting the firewall flanges. The bottom one on each side was still a little tricky, but I managed to get solid rivets in every hole.
After thoroughly vacuuming under the aft seat pans, I installed the forward seat pans and threw a few screws in to keep them in place. I figured now was as good a time as any to fit the stick boots so that I could install the velcro around the stick opening.
I started fitting the interior by placing the seating area carpet and then installing small circular velcro tabs to hold the carpet down. I may install a few more, but this anchors things pretty well.
I marked the centerline of the hinge inline with the stick and then installed the hinge so that the centerline is visible through the pre-drilled center rivet hole on the seat flange.
I then installed the sides and seat backs. The baggage area panels are currently just sitting in place to see how they fit before installing them for good.
The side panels are comprised of three pieces, the upper light gray panel with the integrated armrest and two lower dark gray panels.
The baggage area panels includes the flooring carpet, side panels, and two back panels.
Unfortunately, there are several areas where the floor is visible between parts of the seats and carpet. I’ll have to paint these parts of the floor dark gray to match the carpet.
I installed plugs and some expandable nylon sleeving on the seat heater cables. There are four of these in total, one on each seat bottom and seat back.
I fit all of the seat belts as well. I only installed the crotch straps for good since the others are just in the way right now. I also cut slots in the carpet for these to pass through.
I used AN364 nuts instead of AN365 to attach the crotch straps since these bolts are only loaded in shear.
I added a couple of nutplates to the right flap motor cover so that I could install the halon fire extinguisher. I can easily reach this from the pilot’s seat in flight. You can also see on the right that I added some more velcro to the floor to hold down the seat bottoms.
I wrapped up the interior installation by adding a few more velcro disks and gluing down some vinyl over the angled spar caps.
I’m working seven days a week now, but I took a break in the evening to work on the plane a bit.
My pneumatic squeezer’s adjustable set holder snapped at the base of the threaded section. I’m going to call Isham and see if I can get this replaced as this shouldn’t have happened.
Sorry for the blurry picture, but I primed the instrument panel tonight. I applied a little filler last night and first had to sand it smooth.
