The Forward Fuselage




These pictures show the center section out of the fixture and leveled to begin construction of the forward fuselage. The black pieces are the landing gear torque tubes.
This picture shows the flap temporarily installed to the center section.
The picture on the left shows the firewall and forward side skins clamped in place and ready for forming. The picture on the right is the same view after the skins were formed and firewall assembled.
The picture on the left shows the lower fuselage skins clecoed in place. The picture on the right shows a view of some of the skin stiffeners and a roll bar support gusset.
The picture on the left shows a view of the rudder pedal support and lower engine mount channels. The picture on the right shows a close-up of the rudder pedal and left brake installation.
The picture on the left shows the assembled lower forward fuselage structure and firewall. The picture on the right shows the forward fuselage skins ready to accept the firewall installation.
Here is the forward fuselage with the firewall installed.
And here are a couple of shots of the forward fuselage top skin and the beginnings of the instrument panel.
On the left is a picture of the header tank in position. On the right is the instrument panel with the cutouts nearly complete.
On the left the instrument panel is finished and installed. Behind it you can see the header tank in position. On the right is a shot of the top skin with cutouts for the fuel filler neck and fuel quantity probe. I wanted to be able to get to the probe without removing the header tank. You DON'T want to remove the tank once everything is installed!
On the left is forward side of the instrument panel with the support gusset in place. On the right is the aft side of the panel with another gusset that supports the panel and the windshield roll bar.


Click on your back button, or on "The Plane" button below to see other parts of the plane's construction.

Home The
Plane