bbs428 Build

[bbs428]

It's been cold but the fun continues in my heated garage...

Installed a Com. antenna in the tail. Ran the coax to the back of the instrument panel

Started jeweling my firewall. Thanks to those before me who have done this.
I wouldn't have tried but for you.
It's not perfect but it looks good from a few feet away.

Fabricated a bracket and wired the ELT. Ran those wires forward as well.

Fabricated a top stringer and aluminum straps. Adjusted it until it looked
good with masking tape, then attached with aluminum straps, Aeropoxy and pop rivets.

Found a nice Scott 3200 tail wheel cheap on Barnstormers. Ordered another mounting
bolt 1/2 inch longer. Needs to be cleaned and repainted... at this point, who cares! More fun!

comm antenna (2).jpg

Comm Antenna connection.jpg

Comm Antenna.jpg

firewall1.jpg

firewall.jpg

ELT completed1.jpg

ELT antenna mount.jpg

Stringer upper1.jpg

ABI 3200 tailwheel reduced.jpg

[bbs428]

Wired up my pitch trim sender and epoxied the brackets in place.
I knew wire repair school would come in handy some day! Thanks to the USN.
Funny how the training comes back to you when you use the skills again.

Received a package from Tosten mfg. with my 2 new CS-8 joystick grips! Super quality stuff.
More fun!


trim sender wiring.jpg

trim sender wiring1.jpg

trim sender wiring2.jpg

trim sender wiring3.jpg


trim sender.jpg

trim sender1.jpg

Tosten CS-8 Aircraft Grip.jpg

[bbs428]

Spent the last few days working on the auto pilot servo installation.
I had to scrap my 1st bracket due to coming up a bit short on my pitch servo's output arm...
not enough throw. **** poor prior planning.
So I was hitting up against the servo stops before I ran out of elevator.
I didn't make that mistake again on the roll servo.

Can I leave the bracket in alodine or should it be top coated? Does it even matter?
The pitch servo bracket finish came out a tad mottled so I gave it a zinc chromate topcoat,
a finish that I'm not so fond of. I kinda like the light gold finish on the roll bracket. I spent
more time sanding and cleaning it. I guess it shouldn't mater as long as the bare aluminum is
protected. Going to have to do everything the same way or it's gonna look funktified.
The one inch servo arm extensions came out much darker cause I put them in a small
plastic bag with the Alodine vs. brushing it on. Took the finish much faster.
Learning some new skills.

[FoxTrotter]

Received a package from Tosten mfg. with my 2 new CS-8 joystick grips! Super quality stuff.
More fun!

I assume hat switch is trim, trigger is PTT, but what about the other buttons?
- Thanks--Michael

[bbs428]

Thanks to everyone for the nice replies. It's appreciated!

As to the stick grip buttons... yes hat will be trim and trigger PTT. Index button will be the radio toggle.
The two top buttons could be Ident. for transponder and wig-wag or wig-wag and landing light.
Or if one prefers...Missiles and guns. lol. Or the in flight movie and beverage cart!

More than likely I'll use one of them to speed dial the Mrs. to let her know why I'm not home and still in Idaho, Nevada or Arizona...

stick grip.jpgstick grip1.jpg