The Wait is Over

[DesertFox4]

Well summer temps have broken here finally for sure. In the 50's and 60's lately and time to lay up some carbon fiber parts. Started with the boot cowl yesterday. Thanks to DesertFox1 and Bill for guidance on my first carbon layup and the use of Bill's temperature controlled (heated) shop.
Started with a beautifully crafted boot cowl mold and prepped it by waxing many times then a couple days ago brushing on the release agent. Yesterday we cut fabric and then dive in with both feet. It will be a few days drying at these temps before part is pulled and trimmed to final shape. Lots of prep sanding, filling and more sanding in my near future.
Couple photos below.
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Boot cowl mold.

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Cutting cloth. Rolling cutter worked great on the carbon but the little
strand of Kevlar was resistant and had to be done with scissors.

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Wetting the cloth with resin after first brushing on resin to the mold.

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lots of dabbing resin into cloth. No brushing!

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Using a ridged roller on cowl part.

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[DesertFox4]

Also pretty much completed wiring of the Super Sport recently. Final project was making coax antenna cable for the MGL V6 comm radio and the Appareo ADS-B out transponder.
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First panel start up. No smoke.
Didn't have time to set up the MGL Explorer Lite parameters.
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[SkySteve]

Steve, that's beautiful!!!

[Paul Z]

Steve, you are going to have one sweet light weight bird. Looks like you are doing one heck of a nice job!

[DesertFox4]

Thanks gentlemen.

[jrevens]

It is beautiful, Steve! I think the carbon fiber is great too. Back before I bought my kit, I met and talked to Bill at Oshkosh, sometime before 2009. He mentioned to me at that time that they (he & Papa?) were working on or considering making carbon fiber parts, including cowling, for the Kitfox. It sounded great and he gave me his contact information. After I finally bought my kit I tried to contact him about that & ended up leaving a message. Never did get a reply, but it's good to see what you're doing. I've seen some of that stuff (beautifully done) on one of Papa's airplanes also. You guys are super craftsmen! Nice work!

[DesertFox4]

Kind of you to say John. . I know in our small circle who the craftsmen are but I'm blessed to be able to build along side them both.

I haven't completely decided on how many parts will be of carbon yet. Inspiration comes on strong when seeing what Phil and Bill have accomplished in carbon but also I know how labor intesive items like the doors, wheel pants, seat pan are or the turtle deck Phil finished for his latest Kitfox. Incredible!

I do enjoy the challenge of learning a new building method though.

Attaining an empty weight of less than 750 lbs is a build goal I want to try for but for now it will likely be the nice tinted factory bubble doors and factory turtle deck. Those carbon wheel pants look mighty tempting though.

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[efwd]

I can attest to the fantastic work on Phil's turtle deck. My God, I can't believe it was made by hand. Its really cool looking to boot.
Eddie

[DesertFox4]

I agree Eddie. .
DesertFox1's carbon turtle deck. When the wings are unfolded it fits so well it looks like the trailing edge and T-deck are one. Just incredible. Phil and Bill also did the beautiful ring cowlings on the Bronze Lindy winning radial 7Super Sport.
Why I love building in this shop.
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[Paul Z]

That is just slick. I really like that over the sheet metal ones. It looks well thought out and well designed. You definitely will have a sow quality Kitfox, and I love the yellow and white paint! That yellow stands out!