3/27/2008
Over the last two days, I've reviewed several websites, making notes along the way to help figure out the best route for me to take on the canopy frame. My decision to change the order is based on the fact that I am using Sikaflex to glue the canopy to the frame.
I started out tonight by taking the WD-725 side rails off to smooth the aft angle so it mates flush with the 631A ribs.
Then I drilled and riveted the 613 splice plates to the WD-725 side only.
Next I clamped everything in place, including the canopy skirts to get the spacing right on.
The skirts fit perfectly on both sides, so I drilled the 725's to the WD-716 forward frame, taking care to peel the 702 skin back so I didn't drill thru it as well.
I then rechecked everything for spacing, and drilled the 725's to the 631A canopy ribs.
The canopy ribs line up with the roll bar, and if I end up with any gaps around the canopy frame when I fit the canopy, they will be filled with Sikaflex. Builders typically do not drill the 725's to the 631A's at this point, instead waiting to fit them to the canopy first, then drill them to the 725's. Makes sense if using screws to attach the canopy. That way, no spacers are needed, and it looks better. No screws for me though!
Here's the frame all drilled, except the top of the 631A canopy ribs. There is a splice plate that gets drilled there, and I'll do that later.
I'm extremely pleased with how this came out! After this picture, I removed everything from the fuselage to deburr the holes.
2.5 hours