Week 139 - 6 July 2005

Rick & I were the workers tonight. Gregg needs to be helping his folks.

Rick spent the night working to the port wing aileron. It needed adjustments and wood shaving for the throws to match the starboard side.

I spent the night cutting out and fitting the starboard check blister.

Jeff Laven dropped in again with more fiberglass samples to play with.  This time it was some special expoy which is very light and the strongest samples yet.

-- Gary Himes

Week 140 - 13 July 2005

First off we spent a little time talking to each other about our lives in general. Seems we all have a lot going on right now.

Rick spent the night reworking the aileron on the opposite wing plus needed filling and sanding.

Greg spent the night making the actual vents to install behind the nacelles in the wing.

I spent the night cutting out the port nose blister then laying out and cutting out the hole for the top gun turret.

Jeff did not come over tonight, however earlier in the week he gave me another sample of the glassing using epoxy. The epoxy is what we are going to use as it is the best we have come across. Jeff's sample used light weight cloth (.75 oz/yd). It is a little heavier than we are using, however in our break test it failed. The sample was made with the weave aligning with the grain of the wood. We are going to try another sample this time the weave is to be at a 45 degree angle to the wood.

-- Gary Himes

Week 141- 20 July 2005

Greg could not be with us again tonight, leaving just Rick & I to work.

I finished cutting the top turret cutout. then cut out the turret base out of 1/4" light ply. Now back to the hole and cutout larger for clearance when we start turning the turret.

With the top done I turned the fuse over and looked at the belly turret. A little research and a look at some pictures and I was ready to cut out the hole for the belly turret. Since the belly turret will not turn, the hole does need extra space to turn. After a Quick discussion with Rick we decided not to cut out the structure in the belly, namely a former and the bottom crutch. We don't want to loose the strength here. Four notches 90 degree apart allowed the turret to fit right into place.

Rick worked on the wing, but I am not real sure what he did; as I was real focused on my duties.

Because of Various obligations from all the members of the team, we will not work next week 27 July. So will talk again on 3 August.

Stay cool and keep flying!!

-- Gary Himes

Week 142     -     27 July 2005

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