Continuing on with Section 25, I begin to work on the aft center section bulkhead. This is mostly a repeat of the forward center section.
I begin by collecting all the parts for this assembly, then final drilling as appropriate with my reamer. Not much to comment on and very few surprises as I began the process. Once completed, I disassemble and deburr. The weather has been nice the last few days and I was able to get all the parts primed without too much trouble.
After waiting 24 hours for the primer to cure, I begin final assembly of the forward center section. Install the blots per plans. I elected to put the rivets for the seat stiffeners in with the mfg head on the spar as I really didn’t want to use my offset rivet set. For the other areas where I could get a straight rivet set in, I put the mfg head on the primed parts. Honestly do whatever makes the most sense for you.
With the fwd section done, I begin to work on the aft section. Basically another repeat of the fwd section, just make sure you don’t rivet in those areas called out in the plans. Every now and then I would put a smiley into a few of the universal head rivets. No big deal, but I would drill the rivet out and replace. When you replace the rivet twice, that is a good clue to take a break and come back in a bit.
With both the fwd and aft center sections completed, I stored them inside temporarily to give me a little more space. I’ll probably finish off this chapter then go back and look at finishing up my tanks, flaps and ailerons just so I can get those parts off my shelves and attached to the wing stand.