Riveting of the right wing's bottom skins was done
using the same technique as on the left wing … starting at the center of the
wing's leading edge, each row of rivets was riveted moving alternately from the center
towards the inboard and outboard edges of the wing. The removed Clecos were then moved further aft to fill in the gaps. Van’s
plans require some but not all of the leading edge rivets to be left out at
this time. The rivet holes on the innermost portion of the wing's leading edge where the stub
spar is located are riveted now (with the exception of rivets in the wing walk area because the doubler plate is installed later), and the rest of the leading edge rivets are to be installed
later when the wing skeleton is flipped over. The outboard edge of the W-1203R skin is also left unriveted at this time, as are the holes associated with the flaperon hinge bracket assemblies.
Setting the first of the bottom skin rivets into
the right wing’s stub spar.
Main spar forward completed … setting the first of
the many rivets into the main spar.
Bottom skin riveting nearing completion … the
end is in sight just a few more rivets to set into the rear spar.
Relaxing and taking a moment to take it all in …
riveting of the bottom skins onto the right wing's skeleton is completed!
After finishing the riveting of the bottom skins
onto the right wing skeleton, with a little help from Mike (thanks for coming by on
such short notice), the right wing assembly was flipped over so progress can
continue tomorrow starting with installation of the flaperon hinge bracket
assemblies.
