Panel attachment with 721-C/D's
I need to get this panel area finished up so I can start on the canopy stuff soon. One thing I didn't do earlier (and should have) was to drill the 721-C/D angles that attach the panel to the 721A fwd canopy deck. Sunday I modified one the F-745-L rib by removing the forward portion of it so I could offset it. This made it a bit more difficult to attach the panel since it had no support on the left side. So if you plan on modifying the 745 ribs, do it after you get the 721-C/D angles attached.

The other thing I'm not so sure about was how high the panel should sit off of the 721 canopy decks. The 721C angle has a reference on the plans for the screw hole but it says to use hole in panel to locate the hole. If I put the hole where the plans call, the panel would sit quite a bit above the deck. So I just put a .020 shim under it, just enough so the panel won't rub on the deck. Hopefully this won't be an issue later on. Also, make sure you center the panel from side-to-side. There is enough flex in the ribs to allow movement. (TIP: Rivet angle to deck before riveting on the nutplate.)

F-721C Attach angle riveted in place.

Next I need to figure out how to drill the 721D angles. It's pretty tight in there and they are bent to 72 degrees.

(Time: 2 hrs)
- posted by Matthew @ 7:20 AM