John's Build

[jrevens]

Thanks to all for the comments.
Joe - I plan to have some colored trim. I've got some ideas, but haven't designed anything yet. It will be simple and I hope not too plain.

[TahoeTim]

Can the trim colors (also Oratex) be ironed on top of the base color?

[Av8r3400]

Vinyl graphics would probably be much cheaper and easier...

[jrevens]

Can the trim colors (also Oratex) be ironed on top of the base color?

Yes, you can use colored Oratex fabric & glue, vinyl graphics, paint, etc... many options. Oratex also sells their own trim materials in many different colors, in straight tapes & sheets (that can be machine cut to make logos, numbers, etc.).
Any kind of paint is compatible with and seems to adhere to it very well also.

[foxbait]

Hi John, great job, I will be on the Oratex band wagon as well, a bit pricey but I don't have paint facilities, equipment or the expertise required for a paint job plus I don't want to deal with the toxins involved, so it is also the right product for me. Just hope I can do the kind of job you are doing. Really appreciate the pictures. May be hounding you for advice down the road.

Mike

[Kurt.A]

Excellent workmanship John! Love the handmade pitot assembly. That is a great idea moving it inboard, should save on lots of blood loss down the road. Lars and I have been e-mailing back and forth and I will definitely be going the Oratex route when I get to that point. There is just to many benefits and features to ignore it. They are coming out with an Orange soon that I will be really interested in. How is your test fabric outside doing? Have you noticed any changes occurring?
Again really nice work!

[jrevens]

The test fabric looks just fine. It flaps around in the breeze, so it's getting direct sun exposure on both sides occasionally. It feels & looks just like it did when I hung it up there.

I'm really appreciative of all the nice comments. To me it's looking good, but things sometimes look better in photographs. I think it's OK, and I feel good about it. This is a great forum and a great group of people... thank you all.

[jrevens]

John,
...
On another question for the group - has anyone drilled a moisture bleed hole at the bottom of the elbow of the pitot tube? If so, how has that worked out?

Sincerely,

Dave S

Dave,
In my experience, I don't think that one is normally needed. There is not, or shouldn't be, any air flow through the pitot system - only pressure. Not only will a drain hole potentially cause moisture to move into the tube, because it fosters air movement into the tube, but if it's big enough to allow drainage it will potentially affect the pressure and accuracy. If it's really tiny, moisture will not drain easily (if at all) because of surface tension.

[jrevens]

It's been awhile and progress has been very slow because of family health issues & my laziness. Finally finished a wing... here are some pictures.

[ken nougaret]

Nice relief you made for the strut attach bolts. I wish I had thought of it before covering.