Updates - I know they are late in coming but I've been traveling alot on business

I've been working on the plane off and on while traveling for work. I've gotten alot done and I'm almost ready to start putting skin on the fuselage frame work. I got the alodining done and also primed all the pieces. I started riveting all the pieces together and found a few problems but resolved those and now I'm at the point I'm almost ready to start putting the skin on. Big day coming soon. I made some changes on the tail wheel set at the rear bulkhead and discovered I was right the first time. So, I've ordered new parts for the F-611 and F-612 and will rebuild the rear landing gear attachment. The parts should be in next week, I'll get those built, alodined and primed ready to reinstall. Once complete I will be reviewing the plans to ensure I'm ready for skin installtion. Here are a few more pictures of the work I've done.

Ready to Alodine

Over the past month I've been getting parts fitted into the skeleton of the Fuselage and I'm now ready to begin my first attempt with the Alodine Process. This weekend I removed all the non-primed parts and I'm in the process of de-burring and dimpling as required. The parts will then be ready for the Alodine process. I have my Metal Prep 33 (an Acid Etching Liquid) and powdered Alodine. I hope to have my first batch of parts complete this weekend assuming I get all the prep work complete.

He's Back and Motivated

Herb started a new job this time last year. He travels a lot now, so the plane project got put aside while he got comfortable in his new role.

However, he told me this morning that he is ready to start posting again. He's spent the last week or so cleaning and re-organizing the garage. So check back soon.

Wings Overhead

Herb spent Saturday getting his wings unloaded and building some racks to store them. They are now tucked neatly away overhead.

Winging His Way Home

Herb returns home today from Florida, towing his wings behind him. His drawings and parts arrived by FedEx while he was gone.

In the Drawing Room

Herb is still waiting for his new plans and the taildragger kit to arrive. He is shopping for a band saw and a drill press.

Herb's mom and dad are visiting, so he has gotten to show them what he's been doing. He and Pop spent a considerable amount of time studying drawings yesterday. Pop showed Herb how he had fabricated some of the pieces. He showed him how to use the pneumatic squeezers and their dies. He showed him some drilling, riveting, and rivet removal techniques.

Late in the afternoon, UPS showed up with the new rivet squeezer that Herb had ordered. He and Pop are really proud of it.

Lying Awake at Night

By Herb Haught

I woke up at 2:30 this morning thinking about how to execute the modifications on the fuel tanks so that I can fly inverted.

This afternoon I called Van's and talked to them about a new set of plans and parts for converting to a taildragger. I practiced riveting and countersinking and bought a new, flexible air hose and installed it on the air compressor. I also bought a drill bit sharpener.

The parts and the plans will be here in a week.