Wings Install – Part the first (2h 30m)

The goal had been set to get the wings installed on the plane by the end of the year so today was the day to do it. A (motley) crew had been assembled and showed up around 9am, the hangar a balmy 49F (10C).

Ever the planner, “Uncle” Allen wanted to first get the fittings trimmed for the right fit on the wing mounts so he set to them all with the metal grinder, a tool that still puts fear into my heart. The rear fittings need to be rounded off to fit inside the angle they make with the wing skin.

The front fittings need a small notch made in order to clear the rivet that I only yesterday found out I had not installed.

The bottom of the struts also have to be cut to clear the gear mounts.

Once the wings have been set at the right height and position, the struts have to be cut to the right length for the top fittings.

After that it was time to make formal introductions for the first time between wing and fuselage. It took a while to work out a route and process to get the wings from the stand at the back of the hanagr into position but moving them was easy with so many hands. I’m also very impressed that my wing stand didn’t collapse once touched.

With the wings on some saw horses we lifted it up to the attach point, putting one end on top of a 6ft ladder and then Allen and I wiggled, cajoled, hit hard with a hammer, the bolt into position. Wing number one was attached!

Right now it is only being supported by the bolt, the ladder and a clamp where the other bolt hole will be drilled once the wing is set.

The other wing went up in similar fashion and suddenly the plane looked a lot more like a plane.

I have no idea what I was doing in that picture but its the only I have of me with the wing so it will have to do.

Here’s another picture of the attach point looking towards the wing, posted really only because why not?

So both wings are up but not yet set or rigged, that will hopefully come next weekend; this weekend many of us are at a wedding out of town.

I’ll leave this blog entry with this final picture which I really like. It seems like the plane really is looking upwards saying “can we go fly now?”.