Now time to get this positioned and in place for riveting.

The prep work is relatively easy as the rear end only needs a small amount of filing to let it sit mid longeron. There is a cross bar to be fitted in front cockpit between the diagonals and just checking with TLAC exactly what profile this is ie same as existing longerons ?

This makes up the rear support bracket of the front instrument panel.

The whole thing is cleco’d to start as I have some interesting elongated holes to cut to let the top cabane sit squarely.

Following discussions I have elected to fit a Thermostatic Oil Cooler Adaptor (TOCA). This is a really neat unit that fits against the engine block and then, with an extended centre threaded spigot, allows the oil filter to be then mounted on the top face of the TOCA.

The advantage is that instead of cold oil being pushed around the whole system and out through the oil cooler matrix well before it reaches anything like warm temperature, a valve in the TOCA keeps the oil within the engine block until it reaches temp the opens the valve to let it flow through cooling matrix.

Slight problem with normal sized filter being tight to get in but working on that.

(Update 28 Jan 2019 – Saw someone looked at this old post so re-read it and wanted to add an update … getting the TOCA on with the oil filter can be a challenge .. don’t worry .. it DOES go on … i think it’s eassier to part screw the inner threaded sleeve into the new filter and then offer this up as a whole ..with the blue TOCA unit .. this helps you get the whole unit in next to the cylinder head)

I can now start to plan the pipe runs and more importantly which angle junction to use to ensure best / easiest run.

Also got to plan how and where I site the cooler itself. This will have to now wait the completion of the top deck and subsequent cowl fitting.

Started this the the other evening and made a small template of ply to make sure the 99 degree angle was maintained as the cables were made up.

The initial install showed that the cable fouled on the inner rib hole which was enlarged to ensure a good clear run.

The upper wing is supported by interplane struts, one on each side. These are made up ONLY when you have the top wings in place and correctly set for dihedral and sweep and incidence (so no pressure here then !!!)

First thing – ahead of time – is to treat the pipework internally (as I have with all pipework) with Waxoyl to prevent rust etc

What a messy job this is – hey – but like those pretty gloves ! This will all dry off before I get close to in situ build and assembly.

Managed to lose some doubler plates though, must have taken them home to file, emery and etch prime and then bring back .. cant locate them anywhere so I have asked Ivor if he can send me some more in the next box.

March will bring a bit of focus on the sharp end ! Now I have moved the body at an angle I can actually get at it !

The first thing to look at was the cooling cuts supplied in the big box that had the engine in. The large fins on this particular Jabiru 2200 model mean that the cooling should be much better – but if you read all the articles about overheated Jabs you really need to pay attention to the planing.

The ducts are pre-formed and fit quite snugly with the plug lead access surrounded by rubber to prevent chafing (havent pushed the plug leads fully home in the picture below – but lined up to see how tight it will be). Also, prat factor, have labelled all the plug leads so I dont end up with cross overs !

The front view of the shroud shows the small dam that deflects the air down over the back of the rear cylinders rather than just simply hitting the firewall and dissipating I presume (a sort of ram effect as per the front end). The engine also came with rubber strips that will be glued around the front of these shrouds and so seal the joint between shround and top cowling intake holes (yet to be cut !)

With so many bits going on all around the aircraft at the moment its proving tricky to place her in the best position so that I can work on it easily

• Cabane is being worked on off the body – so much easier – final ply plates needed to make up landing planes
• Ailerons still going in – both lower sets in, wind webbed and hinged – still need to cut out ingress to cater for pushrod free play
• Top wings being webbed for aileron (1 to go !) and then hinged up
• 4th and last aileron top ply glued and awaiting aerolite to curve and fit
• Cowls being marked up

Moved the ‘plane at an angle in the barn so that wings still pretty much line up but I can get to engine and nose. Marked up the centre line of the top deck – need to check exactly how this fits to top longerons.

Paul has provided ‘sense check’ instructions for cowl alignment and fitting – so good re-read on ski holiday next week

The cabane gussets are a bit tricky as all the wood slopes around this area. Got them aerolited in place and securely clamped. The sanded the leading and trailing edges to ensure the final material covering doesn’t bump up

Remembered (just !) to etch prime the aileron hinges before fitting into wing recesses