Lower Fuselage

This series of photos details the initial setup to begin construction of the Velocity XL RG. The fuselage comes in two halves. The lower half is placed in a cradle, a Hangar 18 specialty jig, which allows the fuselage to be very precisely leveled fore and aft and side to side. A center line is inscribed and is thereafter used to place all bulkheads, hard points, etc. This is critically important as there may be very slight asymmetry in the fuselage but if the bulkheads, spars, engine thrust line is centered, no significant effect on the plane's performance will be noted.

A modification in the plans is detailed below. Plumbing the electrical, control and oil cooling systems in a Velocity is made less than convenient by the very tight fit in the ducts running along the sides of the fuselage. This modification creates tube-like structures (which impart significant structural reinforcement) which run along the length of the fuselage and provides ducts that are more than half again the usual size of the standard.

Click on thumbnails for larger version of pics!

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Leveling the lower fuselage in its cradle. The fueslage is aligned fore and aft, side to side. Digital level used. Center reference lin inscribed.
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It only LOOKS like a canoe! Seat hard points marked referenced off the center line. ** Wire duct grooves are cut along the outside edges of the fuselage. The inner skin only is cut and the underlying foam is removed, leaving only the outer layer of fiberglass ... A layup comprised of a layer of UNI, 2 layers of BID, then another layer of UNI installed in the groove ...
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Applying goo to the pre-molded wire duct covers. The flanges were NOT cut as called for in the plans, but were left as is. This was done to maximize strength over the enlarged ducts. Seat hard points in place. Wire ducts and canard bulkhead clecoed in place for fit. Wire ducts and firewall clecoed in place for fit. The firewall is centered and made exactly perpendicular to the fuselage, ensuring centerline thrust when the engine is mounted. A view of an enlarged wire duct at its origin just forward of the canard bulkhead. Note grey structural adhesive bonding the canard bulkhead to lower fuselage.
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Making Plane Noises!!

Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome! email: rich@rguerra.com

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