4 May 2024
Installation of wheels
A big day! She finally gets to stand on her own three feet.
Installed the main gear axles and rear spat brackets after applying some heat resistant black paint to the gear legs from the axle section up to just above where the heat shields will end. Discovered that the specified AN4-24A bolts are too short for the top two holes on the axle. Installed AN4-25A bolts on the top, which fit perfectly. The bottom -24A's are okay - I used thin AN4 washers. Installed supplied heat shields to the gear legs above the axle then tightened the bolts and applied torque seal. Applied Rinolit M2 EP lithium-soap grease as supplied by Sling to the wheel bearings. Unfortunately, insufficient was supplied for me to use my newly acquired bearing greaser, so I had to do it by hand. Fitted the main wheels (not fully torqued yet).
Installed the 45 degree AN fittings to the brake callipers after applying Loctite 577.
Inserted the TS Flightlines brake hoses through the gear legs.
Riveted the underside skin in place over the main gear after inspecting the main gear installation was good.
With some help, lowered the fuselage off the workbenches onto the floor. She's coming together nicely!
