Oz build SS7

[SkySteve]

I REALLY tried to resist, but couldn't:

[War Eagle]

Ya, I am sure it was!

[rosslr]

We should have finished the covering a day or so ago but I decided to redo the profile on top of the vertical stabiliser - just to make it a little more fair. So it was out with the Polyfiller and wait 24 hours to re- fair it. The wires coming out the top are for a red rotating beacon.

Cheers

Ross
Mt Beauty
OZ

[rosslr]

This was outside our bedroom window this morning.
An Australian Kitfox's!

Ross
Mt Beauty
OZ

[rosslr]

I have seen many of you post this before and wondered at the layers and order of layers! Well we just worked it out as we went according to the principles laid out in the Polyfibre book. Another day or so and we will have all the tapes on.

I also finished the UV polyspraying on the first wing. All ready for the second wing now and then Fuselage!

I was looking at the doors frames today. I assume you just go ahead and lay tapes around them also and lap then around the aluminium frame? I cant see too much detail about this in the manual. Appreciate advice on this just to make sure.

cheers

Ross
Mt Beauty
OZ

[rosslr]

A good day today - 0 degrees to start with a good frost ( its meant to be spring now!) so not great for painting first up, but a clear sunny day so I prepped the second wing for Poly Spray. I am starting to like this stuff - it is nice to use - even though I am a totally inexperienced spray painter and have bugger all to compare it with.

Gayle and I also worked on the tapping of the fuselage and got both of the sides done - only the razor back and the doors to go and the covering will be finished! So, as per last post, any tips on tapping the dooors? Or is it just straight forward?

cheers

Ross
Mt Beauty
OZ

[PapuaPilot]

I just taped my doors and was a little nervous before starting. I used 3 tapes per door and started from the top/aft and worked down/forward to get the over lapping needed. I think I used 3" tape to wrap it all the way around with a little extra. I cut each tape to the exact length and angles to get the overlapping all the way to the inside. Cut and test fit all of the pieces first. I glued 3 times; on the outside first, then the inside corner, then then the top and interior side. Make sure you get the inside corner to lay flat. Be careful if you have to iron this part because it could pull up and you have not way to fix it than to remove it and glue in another tape.

I hope this helps.

[rosslr]

HI Phil,

Yes it does help a lot. Thanks. You have confirmed what I was thinking but appreciate the tips re the pre- fitting, the glueing and the caution re use of the iron. Was I right in saying there was little detail on this in the manual or did I miss something here? Anyway, I guess you found the same as we have - as you get to this stage you get to understand how it all works and sort of figure it out as you go! By the way, I note in some pics that there are a few that have an aluminium strip on the bottom two angles. I am interested to know anyone has done this - I guess it is as a protection strip. If anyone has done it, do the original angle pieces that we fit serve for this purpose? I am wondering if they fit well over the top of the fabric and tapes? if so, I am thinking of ordering a few pieces of this as it appears to be a neat finish around this area of potential high wear. I have included a pic of Paul Leadersbrand's plane where you can see this.

cheers

Ross
Mt Beauty
OZ

[DesertFox4]

Ross, I believe I heard that was an item to protect the fabric/paint from foot damage on the flight school aircraft. Might be available from Kitfox but not sure. It does look nice and seems to do the job of keeping that high "foot" traffic area looking like new.

[AirFox]

Doug, Jim and I all installed the door trim on our Super Sports. Looks good and protects the fabric from foot and seat belt damage. I just went to a local steel shop and had them bend Aluminum to the width of the painted/covered door frame.

Enjoying following your build.

Scott.