Two wings ready to paint, stored away until more pieces are covered.
June 30, 2008
June 28, 2008
ditto left wing
The wing spar bracket doileys (take my word for it) have been stuck to the under side of the left wing. The reinforcing tape put over the wing rib rivets and leading and trailing edges, and the whole wing smoothed over with a 250 degree iron. This means that the left wing is ready for paint!
Work commenced on the right wing as soon as the left was complete. If you take the previous two posts on this blog, reverse the pictures, keep the same tags, then you have the story of the right wing. The right wing is complete right up to the reinforcing tape and smoothing with the iron.
Great progress, great fun!
June 23, 2008
winging it
Burning holes in the fabric for rivets.
Installing the oversize rivets to secure the fabric to the wing ribs.
Popping those pop rivets.
June 22, 2008
ironing wing
Jean said that I should slip a few shirts into the process of ironing, would save her from ironing them.
Have now ironed the first stage (250 degree iron) of the left wing. Pretty scary but it turned out O.K. Now on to the 300 degree iron.
June 12, 2008
tailfeathers and wings
Tailfeathers and wings are common to both birds and airplanes. The partridge that crashed into the garage door today bruised his, I am working away at building mine.
The tailfeathers are now done, ready for paint. Today was a good day to work on a wing, temps in the low 70’s and a nice breeze to keep the fumes moving out of the garage. 
June 8, 2008
dorsal fin
Feels good to get back in the swing of things, the satisfaction of making a part of an airplane.
This afternoon we finished prepping the left wing and then opened the fabric pack to see what we had for a wing covering. Two ample pieces of fabric, one for the bottom of the wing, one for the top. Since there wasn’t time to complete the whole wing, it was decided to prep and cover the dorsal fin. Was wondering if I could remember the covering process but it was “Just like riding a bike”, the process went smoothly and the dorsal fin is ready for the first coat of poly-brush.
June 7, 2008
We are back!
After a wonderful trip to Norway, we are back to reality. Actually we got back a couple of weeks ago but have been playing catch-up ever since.
Today we finally got back to airplane building and it sure is exciting! The smell of MEK and the dream of flying mixed together in the garage.
We cleaned out the garage, set up the left wing on the table, cleaned the bottom with MEK and taped the sharp edges and rivets heads. Tomorrow we hope to clean and tape the top of this wing and possibly do the entire right wing.
Unfortunately, it is back to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly a day off Thursday, and work Friday. Then to Peter & Julie’s for a long weekend.
When will we ever find the time to finish the plane ?????
Challenger II 