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RV-7 Construction Log
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Date:  8-21-2012
Number of Hours:  3.50
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Left Fuel Tank

As seems to be the case with most tasks of tank sealing, tonight's took about twice as long as I anticipated. :O(

I fit the pickup tube, its fitting, and the B-nut retainer bracket to the cover plate. I made sure the tube was clocked properly in both the lateral and vertical axes, so the pickup would be as close as possible to both the skin and rib, while still being able to clear a cover attach nutplate on installation and removal. It took several trial and error fits to get it right where I wanted it with both nuts in their final position. I then fit and drilled the B-nut retainer bracket to the cover plate. I then scuffed and cleaned the faying surfaces of the retainer bracket, spacer washer, and cover plate in preparation for sealing.

As far as order of assembly, I first stuck the washer in place with sealant on both the plate and the washer. I then slid the retainer bracket over the B-nut, inserted the fitting into the cover plate, and installed the bulkhead nut finger tight. I then riveted the retainer bracket, followed by final tightening of the bulkhead nut. I then made sealant fillets around the fitting and bracket, as well as encapsulating the rivet heads on both sides. As a "belt and suspenders" move, I sealed the B-nut to the retainer bracket, ferrule, and tube.

Tonight I also final riveted the fuselage attach bracket to the end rib. This took WAY longer than it should have because of having to remove cured sealant from both sides of the rivet holes, where forming the fillets had covered them up. On the right tank, I'm just going to go ahead and rivet the bracket in place immediately after riveting the rib.

Rivets Today: 8
Rivets Total: 3223
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Pickup tube properly clocked in both the lateral and vertical axes.

Pickup tube properly clocked in both the lateral and vertical axes.

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Pickup tube, fitting, and retainer bracket final installed and sealed.

Pickup tube, fitting, and retainer bracket final installed and sealed.

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Fuselage attach bracket final riveted and sealed.

Fuselage attach bracket final riveted and sealed.

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