10-13-2012: 7 hrs
Big progress today. I have done most of the rivets that I can do solo, really need some help to continue. My dad has never done rivetting before except helped bucking some rivets when budiling aft fuselage. But I really need him to drive the gun this time. I showed him how to do it. After practicing a few rivets on scrape material, he is in business. I had to drill a few bad rivets, but overall, the result is acceptable.
Cargo corner rib area is riveted, except the two rivets to the vertical cargo frame. I need to add a shim to fill the gap between them. The fit is not perfect, there is a small gap between the bottom and side skins. Structurally it should be fine. Cosmetically, I think it is also not a big deal since it is right next to the flap, and you have get really under the fuselage to see the gap. I will fill the gap with RTV or pro seal later
This is the gap between bottom and side skins. I should have done a better job when fitting the corner rib and bottom skin
Engine mount bracket and lower longeron are bolted together. Torqued to 25 in-lb and sealed
Left side conical area is riveted
Close up view of the conical area. The two rivet holes are for the coner rib strap. I had to find some special bucking bar to get in the narrow area between the corner rib flanges to get these two holes riveted
Left side lap joint between fwd and aft side skins looks good
F719 fwd stiffeners are riveted, right side
F719 to left fwd side skin riveted
Gear web is riveted to stiffener and side skin. Shop heads look good.
F902 bulkhead rivets shop head look good
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