The two tubes needs to be replaced. They have big scratches from the rudder control wire slamming into it. I thing the reason is to low wire tension. The tension is created by rubber cords holding the rudder pedals forward. The two tail support tubes are mounted on the upper boom tube by this aluminium bracket shown on the picture. The bracket is riveted on the boom tube. It needs new rivets and to be reassembled, because it has to much play now. It shouldn’t have any play at all. I am also going to insert delrin/ pom/acetal plastic rods in the tube ends. I can’t understand why they don’t use inserts from the beginning. Maybe to save weight and costs, but I guess they didn’t know better.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

A lot of time is used for thinking out al the hardware to buy. I am going to use the old bolts when I am preassembly the fuselage, and replace the bolts to new ones when I am finished. Some old AN4- bolts is damaged and needs to be replaced with stronger AN4- bolts. One example is the bolt holding together the rear belly tube, lower boom tube and rear wing strut tubes. All the control cables is being replaced also. It has regular stainless steel wire for rudder&tailwheel control. Dual Teleflex steering cables is used for elevator and ailerons. And the list goes on…

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

I went crazy with the sandpaper, scotch brite and the paint roller.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

This is some important parts! I have as always examined the parts and sanded out small dents and so, before I painted them. I don’t want any dents that can develop into cracks.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

The square base tube for the landing gear was cracked at the end. I had I welded and reinforced whit a aluminium square plug in both ends. Here I am sanding the tube before I am to roll on the polyurethane primer.

I also grinded out some small dents and scratches on the engine mount plates before painting them. I am going to buy new engine vibration dampers, called Lord Engine Mounts. They comes in soft, medium and hard. I don’t know what’s best, if you know please let me know.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

The brakes used to be positioned on the floor on the tierra. On the t-bird, the brakes is installed on the roof. I am trying out a new way, toe brake configuration. Maybe it will work nice. It is the “new Akka brakes”  😉

I also painted a tube tonight. I am not feeling so good, so I take it easy. Don’t want to cough my lungs up.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

Changing the O-ring and cleaning all the parts. Drilling brown scotchbrite inside the cylinder.
I am thinking about how to mount the actuator on the rudder pedals. Making it a individual toe brake system.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

Rubbing the aluminium plate and painting. Rubbing first with 80grit, then 120grit, and finally green scotchbrite.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

The rudder pedals are the first one to get painted. It is chrome moly steel tube and it is positioned about 1meter in front of the pilot, so it is ok if it hasn’t perfect finnish. I don’t have the equipment to spray the paint, and I don’t like doing it either, because of my astma. So I use a foam roller. I have been trying out the foam roller and I am getting there. The paint is aircraft polyurethane primer used on Gripen. So it is a strong one. I have been doing a lot of research on aluminium painting. It is a hell. The best thing to do seem to be the alodine stuff. On old aluminium, you need to etch or rub whit scotchbrite first, and then apply chrome conversion fluid, alodine before you prime it. It is also ok according to axo nobel to use wash primer and then polyurethane primer on top. And finely, I found a text from the paint manufacture axo nobel, describing how to use only scotchbrite to accomplish the same effect as the etch/wash-primer. It just takes more muscles. And I am going for it!
The rudder pedals made of steel needed some sand blasting before painting. I am also going to fit a rubber tube on the foot pedals.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.

The prototype is finished. Now I will go to the hardware store and buy all the stuff in stainless steel. Maybe I will make some changes later, but I think this will do just fine.

Jag är ett sätt att tänka.