Brian,
I ran into this and put it down to over-stored pair of moldings
changing shape somewhat. I used bungees to pull the tail of the top molding
ahead toward the rear edges of the cockpit doors and left for several days,
while ensuring that they remained in alignment. . During that time, the two
molding came closer together and I got all bit about 6-7mm spacing which I
buttressed with inner layers of BiD later. All seems minor now but is a
trouble at the time.
Ferg
...just had fuse painted - gleam!
----- Original Message -----
From: "N55XS" <topglock@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Let talk about Fuselage Gaps! <Flame Extinguisher>
|
| Well said, Brian. Now, for your delima. I experienced a slight gap
| problem, too, however, after checking the proper distance between the
| lower fuse flanges, where they go from vertical to horizonal, I found
| them a little close to each other. What I did was to open it with a bit
| of wood, that I affixed with a bit of 5 minute epoxy. This went a long
| way toward closing the gap. The most important thing is to make sure
| that your tail fin is square and pulled down tight in the rear. Any
| small gaps will be covered with the 4 ply of Bid that you will be
| reinforcing the seam with. Once sanded and filled and sanded and filled
| and sanded and filled and sanded, you'll never know it was there. The
| joint will be plenty strong...
|
| Jeff - N55XS
| 64 hours...
|
|
| EuropaXSA276@aol.com wrote:
|
| >
| >Lets take a deep breath and get back to building.
| >
| >I have a question about the way my top is fitting at the vertical seam in
the
| >tail area.
| >
| > I have an 8 to10 mm gap at the vertical line joggles on the tail
section.
| >The flange on the bottom half of the fuselage will be only 13 mm wide
where the
| >top bonds in this area. < Probably should have cut the bottom flange
wider at
| >this point but did not as it was many chapters before this issue came up>
| >The top is properly seated at the firewall making sure there are no bumps
or
| >mold marks to keep it too far forward.
| >
| >I originally used ratchet straps to close this gap. It helps but the
bottom
| >half of the fuselage tends to bow a bit.
| >
| >I have noted this same problem on one or two other airframes. Is this
normal?
| >
| > What is the fix?
| >
| >Should I fill the gap and do a lay-up on the outside of this area for
| >strength? If so how many plies and size?
| >
| >Brian Skelly
| >Texas
| >Europa # A276 TriGear
| >See My build photos at:
| >http://www.europaowners.org/BrianS
| >
| >
| >
| >
|
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