Day 72

Today we mounted the luggage compartment door. The manual gives you the measurements for the “approximate” bend of the door. We measured out the line and used tape to make a straight line. Using a rounded side or our workbench we slowly massaged the door until it’s bend matched the access hole.

After the correct bend was achieved the hinge was lined up in the door frame and the door centered in the hole. Using tape to hold the door in place we used a felt tip to mark where the holes need to be drilled on the hinge. The after removing the hinge, drilled the holes and returned the hinge clecoing it to the frame and door. Then checked that everything was still centered and that the door moved freely. Then clear drilled the remaining few holes and riveted the hinge in place.

After the hinge was riveted the latch was mounted and made sure it held the door shut tightly, making small adjustments. Lastly the strengthening angle bracket was riveted on the back of the door.

It took some patience getting the door to fit properly, (It comes flat) but when we were finished, it fit tight around the entirety of the door frame and latched snug.

We also adjusted and properly set the rudder cable bolts. When they were first installed it was misunderstood how far the retaining threads were meant to go and were set and tighten with liquid lock-tight. It was found that they needed to be backed off, though it proved difficult and tedious because they are much more difficult to get to now. It was important to us though that they be correct, and done now before it gets more difficult to do later down the road, and before we started putting in the floor skins.