Next up is the installation of several sub-assemblies onto the panel base. Shown below are the instrument panel's stack angles with all of their nutplates recently riveted into place, slated for installation on the panel base.
The canopy ribs have their nutplates attached along with a doubler and the canopy strut attach angle. This is another of the sub-assemblies for the panel base.
The upper engine mounts are final drilled #30 and then blind riveted onto the panel base.
And finally, the com supports are also installed onto the base.
The underside (inside of cabin) of the panel base showing the manufactured heads of the blind rivets.
A shot of the panel base cleco'd into position.
Another shot of the panel base with the cleco'd canopy ribs shown. Note that I will be postponing final riveting of the panel base to the fuselage until I receive the Viking Aircraft Engines fuel pump module. The fuel pump module is installed on the floor of the fuselage just below the panel base. Installation of the fuel pump module along with the fuel pressure and fuel flow transducers will be simplified by easier access to that area. The panel base and the upper forward fuselage skin install will have to wait until I am further along with the fuel system.
In the meantime, I am dimpling and riveting nutplates to the panel attach strips.
