Fitting the fin (aka, Just gimme the damn chainsaw!)

After painting I was in a mental block about going back to the wiring, so I decided to hang the stabs and take a look. While I was at it, I decided to fit the fin fairing, which turned into a more involved project than I anticipated, especially when I realized that the lineup would influence the handling of Osp. If the fairing was misaligned, she'd tend to yaw one way or another. Sure, I can fix it via the rudder trim tab, but, y'know.

Snap a chalk line from the pylon to the fin leading edge, then rivet the fairing mounting bracket.

I had been guessing where the fairing should go, finally I realized there was no exact measurements, let the parts tell me, and roughly outlined how much to be trimmed with blue tape.

 

 

 

I kept trying to sand the inside of the fairing by hand but it was so rough and there was so much to remove there was no way I was going to do it by hand. Great idea from the internet, a drum sander from Harbor Freight Aircraft Supply and an extender wand made quick work. Had to be VERY careful though, I nearly went through the side a couple times. 

I kept trying to make a perfect fit, but after examining other builders and thinking about it, I realized a perfect fit meant having a gap for flexibility. Once I realized that I put the ultra-fine Dremel sanding disc away, got the ultra-fine chainsaw out, and carefully made her fit.

 

Fairing fitted, I was able to mount and trim the stab brackets. They've since been powder coated white and look beautiful.

Take a look at me now...

I was at the Holiday fly-in at Lakeland Airport last December, there was a stunning homebuilt biplane on the showline that made me weep at the quality of the fabric work, the kind of work that just made me want to completely strip and redo Osp. Walked all around the wings admiring the smooth, straight lines, and absolutely perfect, dust free finish. Came up to the cockpit and looked at the rear coaming and...

I can only imagine how that builder felt. On the other hand, maybe I do know.

What's that old saying, A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?

A nice day gave me the opportunity to run everything outside and put it in perspective.

I was finally able to put these on her tail. I don't know why the gentleman made OspRey a member of the Ferret Rescue Service long before she was even hatched, but they're something we cherish.

and for a while, everything gets put away again.