Fuel Tank, Part 1

While I am awaiting some final Viking Aircraft Engines' fuel system plumbing components I have decided to begin the fuel tank.  Since it is still April, the hottest weather is still a few months away so playing with the ProSeal tank sealer will likely be more pleasant sooner than later.

Pictured below is the forward tank bulkhead with the reinforcing ring that will ultimately hold the fuel tank sending unit.  The ring and nutplates are cleco'd to the bulkhead awaiting the solid countersunk rivets.

All done - assembly is fully riveted into place.

Now the prep work begins.  I assembled all of the pieces of the tank together and clearance drilled all #30 holes so as to ease the insertion of "goopy" Pro-Sealed rivets into the skins.

Also deburred all holes and the skin edges.

Views of each of the sides of the tank.

Finish Kit Arrives!

After an almost 1 week late arrival, the Finish Kit finally made its appearance in the garage/hangar.

It is getting real crowded in here!  You will notice the tailcone and engine cowlings suspended from the rafters in the center of the picture.  The engine is beneath and to the right, covered in a bed sheet.

First shot inside after cracking open the lid.  No Van's cowling shipped as I have the Viking parts, as previously mentioned.

Another shot of the forward contents.

And one last look from the rear of the crate.

Inventory to commence straight away...

It is now the evening of April 23, 2013 and all inventory is completed, including the hardware.  On with the build!

Viking Engine Delivery

Saturday, March 23, 2013 (note the camera date stamp is 1 day off) saw the pick up and delivery of the Viking Honda Fit 110 HP engine.  Included with the firewall forward package is the cowling, engine mounts with hardware, Warp Drive 3-blade propeller and many other parts and pieces.

The photo below shows everything packed in the back of the mini-van and ready to head for home.

A long day, but we're back home safe and sound.

Nice picture of upper and lower cowls in their gelcoated state.