Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 21: Mid Fuse Bibs & Bottom Skins (part 9)

Reference: page 21-15; 4.5 hours The new of my demise has been greatly exaggerated! Work ofn the RV-12 has been spotty at best, however with summer just around the corner I will have more time to work on the airplane.I know the date on this post is January 6th (when this work was done), but it is May and I'm just getting around to posting this entry.

Step 1: Separate the F-1275A, B, C, D, E, and F fuselage Coner Skins along the center perforations. The notches in different tabs,shown in Figure 1 on page 21-15 of Van's Aircraft plans, can be used to differentiate the parts.





Step 2: Turn the fuselage upside-down on a pair of saw horses. As shown in the plans cleco F-1275F-R Fuselage Corner Skin to the Seat Floor Support, the Seat Rib and the Skin Attach Flange. Then, one after the other, cleco in place the F-1275E-R, D-R, C-R, B-R, & A-R Fuselage Corner Skins.



Step3: Using the rivets called out, rivet the Fuselage Corner to each other. Rivet the F-1275A-R to the Bulkhead Flange and rivet the F-1275F-R to the Skin Attach Flange (except for the four holes called out in the airplane plans). DO NOT rivet the fuselage corner skins to teh F-1253-R Seat Floor Support or the Seat Rib.





Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the left side of the fuselage.







Step 5: Cleco the Fuselage Corner Skin to the F-1202F Bulkhead, the F-1212-R Step Rib and the F-1275A-R Fuselage Corner Skin.



Step 6: Except for the two holes indicated in figure 3 of the RV-12 plans, rivet the F-1274-R Fuselage Corner Skin to the F-1275A-R Fuselage Corner Skin. DO NOTrivet to the F-1212-R Step Rib or to the F-1202F Bulkhead.



Step 7: Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for the left side of the fuselage.





Step 8: Seperate the F-1204Z Bottom Stiffenrs by removing the hatched areas as shown in the plans.



Step 9: Mark each part, then separate the F-1268A, B, C, D, & E Doublers.


That is it for this entry. Next we will get into attaching the fuselage bottom skin.