The mid-fuselage assembly continues with the final assembly of the two control column mount assemblies. Cleco'd together and then rivet.
Next is a shot of the F-1203A bulkhead and the F-1203C and D wing spar stub receptacle components. The front wing spar stubs slip into the pocket created by these parts. This bulkhead resides at the forward end of the seat ribs.
The "flip side" of the same bulkhead with its interior color coat and doubler, which also ties into the previously mentioned spar stub receptacle. It has a combination of solid and blind rivets which secure the assembly to the bulkhead. The entire doubler/spar stub receptacle assembly jigged together with clecos
With the first solid rivets of the assembly set, it is time to move on to some of the blind rivets.
All of the solid and blind rivets set. Remaining clecos are there to remind me to NOT rivet in those holes until later.
Back on the primer side of the bulkhead, it is time to rivet the control column mounts and another rectangular doubler.
Just to the right of the control column mount is the other rectangular doubler previously mentioned.
The finished bulkhead now awaits its turn to be attached to the mid-fuselage assembly.
The left-hand seat assembly is now attached to the mid-fuselage assembly.
The seat assemblies attach to the center section via the floor skins and the ribs.
Picture time!
Next step is to attach the bulkhead caps and rollers (not pictured) to the side assemblies. The caps are cleco'd and then riveted to the side assemblies.
It is now time to attach the forward bulkhead to the front of the seat ribs. As usual, jig in place with clecos and follow with rivets.
Next comes the corner fuselage skins as they are cleco'd into place prior to riveting.
The fuselage bottom skin has had its edges formed or "broken" with a slight bend as well as the 20 nutplates attached to the perimeter of the inspection holes.
The inverted mid-fuselage section is supported in two places in preparation of the bottom skin being attached.
In light of service bulletin, SB 12-09-26, I am considering making the F-1275G landing gear cover plates removable via nutplates. This would facilitate easier access to the landing gear attach fittings where improperly torqued bolts have caused structural issues with the center section. It appears that at least part of the issue of improperly torqued bolts has been due to the use of bolts that were too long. As a result, builders were not aware that nuts had bottomed out and not been fully tightened or torqued to specification.
It will be several more days before I can finish assessing the practicality of installing nutplates on the cover plates as I had to pre-order those parts from the Finish kit, which I do not currently have. I have also ordered a mixture of miniature nutplates and Riv-nuts to further explore this option. Stay tuned!
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