Today I riveted in the rudder horn brace. I was able to squeeze all the rivets. I did run into one issue, when I inadvertently squeezed the wrong length rivet. Rather than a 3-4, I used a 3-3.5. The rivet had set nicely, but I decided to take it out and use the correct length instead. I was able to drill and pop the top off easily, but getting the shank out was a challenge. Mostly it was an access issue, as I had to reach in through a little access hole, and couldn’t get anything to really grip the rivet. Eventually, after a lot of uncomfortable pressure, I was able to pop it out. The hole and dimples remained intact, so I set the correct rivet and carried on. In hindsight, I should have checked the dimensions, and I may have just left the 3.5 in there.
I finished riveting along the bottom rib, and noticed how tight the tolerance is where the skin goes around the protruding rudder horn. The skin isn’t touching, but the slightest lifting of the skin, and it rubs against the horn. It’s perfectly symmetrical, with the same gap on both sides of the rudder.
Next I clecoed and riveted the counterweight rib.
Then it was time to fit the counterweight. With the rivets in position, I had to trim a little off the sides of the front section of the counterweight. After a few iterations it fit snugly in place.
Then I countersunk the attach plate, riveted on the nutplates, and screwed the AN509 bolts into place. Everything fit nicely, and I was pleased with the result.
It’s getting late, so I’m going to stop there for today. Tomorrow I hope to get the top rib done, and time permitting, make a start on the trailing edge.
Well done Neal l guess the rudder is nearly complete.
You have had a steep learning curve with what you have done so far but it must be very satisfying.
By the time time you have the horizontal stabiliser and elevators finished you will be able to really see some progress.
Yep, it’s satisfying and sometimes frustrating, but good to be making steady progress. Tasks are getting done faster now, although there’s still a lot of testing and prep happening before each step.