It has been quite a month!
Tail Sections
For the majority of the past month, most of the crew has been on the final alignment and attachment of the aft fuselage extensions, verticals and horizontal stabilizer. The initial lineup when perfectly, but the microscopic adjustments down to .010 (ten-thousandths - 3 times the thickness of a cellophane plastic sheet) seemed to have taken forever, but everything is now permanently aligned and attached, and the team has started the final fitting and riveting of the side skins.
Right-hand Aft Fuselage Extension
Left-hand Aft Fuselage Extension
The pulley brackets for all of the primary controls (elevator and rudder), and secondary (trims) are now completed and awaiting final installation along with the four side skins. All four of the elevator and rudder mounting castings and associated matching bellcranks have been final fitted.
Elevator Push Rods
Right-hand Inboard
Right-hand Outboard
Elevator and Rudder Bellcranks
Both dorsal fins are well on their way to completion. We had to make a few ribs and attachment parts, but the job of alignment and installation of the dorsals went smoothly.
Two other team members have been restoring the multitude of tail wheel gear parts. One cannot believe how many moving parts are in our XP-82’s tail wheels: retraction, extension, steering, oleo, tail door opening and closing, etc. Virtually all the parts needed attention and overhaul to bring them back up to airworthy condition.
Just some of the tail gear parts
Notice the milling marks on the XP prototype tail gear fitting.
Tail Wheel Oleos
Canopies, Trucks, Opening/Closing Cranks, Windshield Side Glasses
Both hand cranks are now completed and are being installed, and both canopies are ready for installation. All four windshield side glasses are nearing completion. We should have them within a week for routing, trimming and final installation. Even though they look similar to the P-51 series, these canopies and windshield glasses are nowhere close in shape or dimension.
Canopy Hand Cranks
Outboard Wings
The work on both outboard wings has slowed as we are waiting for the final aileron and flap hinge points for final completion and close-out of the four bottom rear skins. The remainder of these parts are due here within the next two weeks to coincide with the team completing the riveting of the tail sections.
Outboard Aileron Hinges
Main Gear Door Opening/Closing Hook Mechanisms
We have received the final forgings for the main inboard gear doors. These parts hold the multitude of push/pull rods that control the positive lock/unlock hooks, which keep the doors securely closed during flight. They all will be installed this coming month. Thanks, John, Advanced Manufacturing Concepts.
Inboard Flap Hinges
Both center section flap hinges are now aligned and permanently installed.
Right-hand Inboard Flap Hinge
Coolant Exit Doors, Header Tanks
Casey Hill, English wheel forming wizard, is due here this week to complete the forming of the two complicated interior coolant exit door skins. Also, both coolant header tanks are now installed, one in each rear fuselage.
Coolant Header Tank
Gun Mounts
The six aluminum gun mounts that will be bolted into the center section are now completed and awaiting installation. Thanks, Vic, Peres Pattern.
Left: Outboard aileron hinge bearing mounts
Right: Outboard flap push rods
The Katz
"What do you mean you again forgot to get my treats!"
- Allison
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Thanks.
Tom
The keyless entry system has come up as an innovative change to the conventional locking for plenty of reasons.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that the locking system is termed as keyless, though there is a key. Unlike the conventional locking system though, you do not need to insert the key in the lock to manually open the lock.
Instead it's a remote key and all you need to do to open the lock is press the button on the key from a distance.
Pretty much like your TV remote works, the remote key or transponder key as it is called works on radio signals.
elevator keyless entry