Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 21: Mid Fuse Bibs & Bottom Skins (part 3)

Reference: page 21-02; 3.0 hours

This is the next installment of my ongoing step by step build of an E-LSA (experimental light sport aircraft) made by Van's Aircraft. Better known as the RV-12. Up to this point the tail kit is completed as are the wings. This section is dealing with the building of the fuselage. I've been using old school priming techniques, alodine and zinc chromate primer. This has worked well as there are many parts that are prepped and then riveted into place invery small batches. This is in stark contrast to the RV-10 that had large number of parts to prime all at once.

Step 1: Rivet the F-1206A bulkhead to the Baggage Ribs using the rivets called out in Figure one of the RV-12 plans page21-03.





Step 2: Rivet the F-1206G-L&R Baggage Ribs to the F-1206A Bulkhead and the F-1221-L&R Baggage ribs using the rivets called out in Vans Aircraft's plans.



Step 3: Dimple the holes in the top flange of the F-1206H _L&R Baggage Ribs that correspond to the dimpled holes in the F-1224-L & -R Baggage Floors.



Step 4: Rivet the F-1206H-L&R Baggage Ribs to the 1206A Bulkhead using the rivets called out in Figure 1 on page 21-03 of the RV-12 plans.



Step 5: Rivet the F-1224L&R Baggage Floors to the F-1206A Baggage Bulkhead and F-1206H-L&R Baggage Ribs using the rivets called out in Figure 2 of the RV-12 plans.



Step 6: Dimple the ten nutplates called out in Figure 2, then rivet them to the F-1206A Baggage Bulkhead, f-1206H-L&R Baggage Ribs, and F-1224-L&R Baggage Floors.





Step 7: Rivet the F-1206F Bearing Brackets to the F-1206A bulkhead using the rivets called out in the plans.



Step 8: Rivet the F-1206F Bearing Bracket Brace to the 1206G-L&R Baggage Ribs and Bearing Bracket assemblies using the rivets called out in Figure 3 of the RV-12 plans. The flush, manufactured heads of the rivets in the Bearing Brackets Assemblies are placed against the web of the baggage ribs.





Step 9: Separate the F-1250 Pulley Brackets by removing the hatched areas shown in Figure 4 of the RV-12 plans on page 21-03.



Step 10: Rivet the F1250-L&R Pulley Brackets to the F-1220A Forward Intercostal and F-1220B Aft Intercostal using the rivets called out in Figure 5.



This completes page 21-3 of the RV-12 aircraft plans.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 21: Mid Fuse Bibs & Bottom Skins (part 2)

Reference: page 21-02; 4.5 hours



Step 6: Separate the F-1206B Rear Spar Receptcale Support by removing the hatched areas shown in Figure 3 of Van's Aircraft plans for the RV-12 page21-02.



Builders note: The parts above still need to be deburred and the edges smoothed.

Step 7: File the curved recess of both F-1206C Rear Spar Receptacles to closely fit the rounded mating ends of the Rear Spar Assemblies of both wings. The small flat on both rear spar receptacles locates the top of the parts. Once filled, mark the parts so that they will be assembled on the side they were fitted to.

Builders note: The film on these parts is very thin and still need to be removed





Builders note: The picture above is WRONG! In trying to get a good clear picture I flipped the part over in my hand so the "this side up" indicating flat is on the bottom of the wing and not the top. Surprisingly it still fits well.

Step 8: Rivet the Rear Spar Receptacle Supports and the Spar Receptacles to the F-1206A Bulkhead using the rivets called out in Figure 4. Insert the rivets in all the holes before setting any of them.





Step 9: Dimple the #19, #30, and #40 holes in the top flange of the F-1206A Baggage Bulkhead that correspond to the dimpled holes in the Baggage Floors (see Page 21-3, Figure 1 for the orientation of the bulkhead on the floors.)



Builders note: This dimpling was done out of sequence prior to priming. That's why the picture before shows the same piece but it is primed.

Step 10: Dimple the nutplate attach rivet holes in the top flange of the F-1206A bulkhead for the two nutplates depicted in Figure 4 of the RV-12 plans.

Step 11: Dimple the two nutplates depicted in figure 4, then rivet them to the top flange of the F-1206A Bulkhead.



Step 12: Dimple the nutplates called out in Figure 5 of the plans and teh correspongding holes in the top flang of the F-1206G-L&R Baggage Ribs.



Step 13: Rivet the nutplates called out in Figure 5 to the F1206G L&R Baggage Ribs.



Step 14: Rivet together two Bearing Brackets Assemblies using F-1206D Bearing Brackets and the hardware called out in Figure 6 on page 21-02 of the RV-12 plans. Machine counter sink one side of both Bearing Bracket Assemblies for the flush rivets shown.

Builders note: my bracket had a slight curve to them and needed to be straightened. Pictured below is the setup I used to press the bearing into place.





This completes page 21-02. Next time we will start page 21-03.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Build, Section 21: Mid Fuse Bibs & Bottom Skins (part 1)

Reference: page 21-02; 13.5 hours

This entry starts a new section of the Van's Aircraft RV-12 project. 5 hours of the time logged on this entry was accumulated over a few days deburring prepping and priming.
It's been a busy term at school and I have fallen behind on writing posts. The goal is get caught up in the next few weeks.

Step 1: Dimple(flush on top surface) the five indicated #19 holes in the F-1224-R Baggage Floor. See Van's Aircraft RV-12 plans page 21-02 Figure 1. In both the F-1224-L & Right Baggage Floors, dimple all of the #30 and #40 holes along the edges bordered by dashed lines.





Step 2: Rivet the Baggage Floors to the center section Aft Bulkhead and the Side Bulkheads using the rivets called out. Use two thin flush sets in a hand squeezer and apply tape to the squeezer to prevent scratching the baggage floors.



Builders note: The baggage floor lip appears to pucker up in between the rivets. In reality these set flush with the bulkhead as soon as the rivet squeezer was removed.



Builder's note: I had a bear of a time with the rivet I am pointing at in the picture above. None of my rivet squeezers would fit in the corner, so I drive it using the rivet set and 3X gun pictured.

Step 3: Dimple the holes in the F-1221-L&R Baggage Ribs that correspond to the dimpled holes in the Baggage Floors.



Step 4: Rivet the Baggage floor Ribs to the Center Section Aft Bulkhead and Baggage floors using the rivets called out in Figure 2 of the RV-12 plans page 21-02. Install all the rivets so that the manufactured heads are on the bulk head.





Step 5: Dimple the nutplates depicted in Figure 2, then rivet them to the F-1221-L & R Baggage Ribs and Baggage Floors.



That's it for this entry. Next time I'll start where we left off today. Enjoy!