2016-12-12/13

Priming and attaching fuel tanks to the main spar assembly. Tanks had to be removed twice for adjustment..

2016-06-06

It proved to be tight – the balloon test was successful! -same volume/size after 24hrs

2016-06-05

I found the ‘R’ tanks balloon bursted in the morning. It apparently made contact with the tank skin. I replaced it and now will leave it until evening to check the size/volume for possible leaks.

2016-06-04

Successful balloon leak test on ‘L’ fuel tank. The tank has been pressurized with the balloon attached to serve as protection in case of overpressurizing and volume/size check after hours to verify -no leaks. ‘L’ tank is OK! Now I’ll leave the ‘R’ tank pressurized over night and lets see in the morning.. The optional Van’s leak test kit was used.

2016-05-21

Seal was applied on 2016-05-19. Too many rivets  😯

2016-05-18

1st leak test with colored water. Both fuel tanks passed   The only leaking water came from the vent line which wasn’t taped right..

2016-04-05

Ribs riveted, seal applied and vent-line installed

2016-04-03

Ribs sealed. I let it cure for almost 2 days before final riveting..

2016-03-29

I used tape to protect the area not to be sealed, then glecoed everything together for final check..

2016-03-27

After 2 days curing, stringers and the fuel caps have been riveted. Proseal applied on the dimpled surface as well as from the inside. The final touch was accomplished with soap water. Excessive proseal has been wiped away with MEK.

On one of the pictures one can ‘see’ how ProSeal and MEK smells 

2016-03-25

We applied seal on mating surface and let it dry for 1.5 days – all clecoed together. Special visit by Ryaniar Cpt. Dusan Hatala 😀

2016-03-24

Vent, Nutplates, fuel line thread riveted and glued with Araldite

2016-03-23

Both fuel tanks prepared and ready for sealing.

2016-03-20

Today we disassembled the ‘L’ fuel tank, applied scotch on the mating surfaces, dimpled the skin, ribs, fuel tank inlet (countersinked) and stiffeners. The ribs were bent to straight shape to meet the skin’s holes. The ‘J’ stiffener was cut to the required length and dimpled. Tank attach Zee’s finished with nut plates attached.. A lot of preparation work before the actual sealing can start.

Some of the dimpled rib holes did not exactly match the skin, so the nail dimpling method has been applied. On the edges of the skin the pneumatic squeezer did it’s job 1A. It is time consuming but a lot of fun as well: