December 21, 2011 – I finished installing the doublers for the wing access panel cutouts. See previous posts for details on these.
I also dimpled the fastener holes in the lower skins that attach to the flap braces. I’ll have to look things over, but I think I’ll be ready to install the skins after the holidays.
Time: 2:05
December 16, 2011 – I have painted all the panel landings and the panels, and I’m now installing the doublers and the nutplates.
In other news, I had my Tech Advisor out to take a look at my wings before I close them. No problems noted. Thanks, Marvin!
Time: 2:05
December 10, 2011 – One of the things that Van’s has you do throughout this kit is to dimple nutplates. This allows you to attach nutplates directly to the skin in some locations. I really have never liked that idea, so where possible, I’m adding countersunk doublers which are then attached to the skin and the nutplates are attached after that. One of the places I’m doing this is on the wing access plates. It’s probably overkill, but I prefer it this way.
I made doublers that match the inside of the recessed joggled area where the panels fit in the lower wing skins. I match-drilled them to the existing holes, then I added a #40 hole between each nutplate. I dimpled the screw holes in the new doublers, and I countersunk the rivet holes. I dimpled all the holes in the wing skins and the panels per the drawings.
Time: 4:30
