Chad, I do have a Tailwind sticker if you're looking for something to display...http://aircraftstickers.com/Experimental_Page.htm Making these illustrations is really fun and I will probably end up drawing a tailwind sometime. I wish I still had my tailwind ribs I started a few years ago but I donat...

No worries Bob-I didn't think at all that you were being critical. I was just explaining the main reason for the differences....my laziness

Bob, I know there are a few things different from the drawing and your plane. I guess it wasn't meant to be an exact copy. I did see that your spinner was red and you had the different wingtip lights. I actually just didn't feel like redrawing that part :) I'm not sure if the fuselage profile is dif...

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Hey all, I thought I would show off my latest creation. I am learning how to draw illustrations with Paint Shop Pro and this is the first complete aircraft I've made. It's far from perfect, but for me this is really fun to learn. Getting the shading right is really difficult and I am continuing to p...

I thought I would ask this question now because this process is coming up soon for me. What's everyone's opinion on the making the elevator trim tab? Do it like the manual says, or cut off the tabs and make riblets? From the builders logs I've seen, it seems like bending the tabs and making the trim...

Well I got happy fingers while dimpling E-606PP (the small rear spar for the left elevtor). I was suppose to countersink the top holes obviously because the hinge will be riveted to the bottom of the lip on the spar. So, since it's already dimpled, could I still use it and then just countersink (or ...

When do I screw in the rod ends to the tail pieces? All of my empennage kit is almost complete and I would like to connect the rudder to the VS, and the elevators to the HS. But if I screw in the rod ends now, won't I have to remove all of them later when I paint? Or would I just tape off the rod en...

One last thing....since I will be using the NAPA 7220 self etching primer, do I still need to rough up the surface of the aluminum with a Scotch bright pad to help with the mechanical bond?

Done! Will move on. Thanks all!

I called NAPA and they have the 7220. I will pick up three cans on Friday when I get home. I guess I always thought that zinc chromate was self etching. The 7220 seems to get good reviews by builders.

Brian, there's no way I'm even going to try your first suggestion! One little tweak with the seaming pliers the wrong way and I'd have a dent or crease or something :o If I revisit it later, I won't be able to put it back in the bending brake once the elevator spar is riveted on right? I'm not sure ...

Any recommendations on a self etching primer in a spray can? Where to buy?

Okay guys, I made a nice bending brake to bend the trailing edge of the elevators. In fact, I made it 6' long so I can use it for the ailerons and flaps too. I'm not sure how to get the trailing edge perfect though. In the picture below, the first picture is from the middle of the elevator. You can ...

Dave, I used an electric drill on the 'slow' setting. I was just reading about someone else's lead screw up and I saw the replies about melting the lead down to ill the holes. Maybe I'll try that. Or, since it will cost a lot of money in shipping to send the new weights back, maybe I'll just be lazy...

Hi all, I am using zinc chromate from A/C Spruce in a spray can to prime some small parts. Before spraying, I rough up the surface with a Scotch bright pad and then clean it with MEK or alcohol. I've noticed however, that the after the primer dries, it's pretty delicate. I can take my fingernail and...

I'm so mad right now. I drilled the lead weight in the right elevator while being careful to drill straight. But, I still drilled one hole so close to the rib that there is no way a nut will go on the bolt. So that rib (E-703) is ruined. Unless I just open the hole up in the lead weight, that is rui...

Thanks for the tips guys. I thought the nutplates were too thin to countersink but I see that they are not. I ended up dimpling mine. I was careful to keep the entire bottom of the nutplate straight and they came out great. They are all riveted on now and I've started dimpling the skin and getting i...

Hi all...quick update...HS, VS, and Rudder done! Now I'm working on the elevators. I spent the day cutting, trimming, sanding, drilling, de-burring, and dimpling all of the stiffeners. So...now I'm working on the electric trim reinforcement plate (E-615PP) I have seven K-1100-06 nutplates to rivet t...

Thanks Chad, good idea. I'll clean it up today and then rivet tomorrow.