Now that all major components are edge cleaned, it's time to start some matchdrilling some parts.
First I had to make the F-7109 plate out of some 0.063" stock sheet. To ensure edge distance, I clamped it behind the F-7108A fuselage rib and drew some positions through the predrilled holes in the rib.
It gives a rough idea on how things will look like.
Then made the F-7108B angle out of AA6-125 angle. Quite heavy material. This angle will transfer the loads from the sliding canopy rolling bar over to the firewall structures. The tab rests on the firewall angles.
Since the drawing on the plans is full scale, It's easy to verify your shape and bending. I used the vise to bend the angle. The arm above is so long you can easily bend the thick material. Don't overdo it and go little at a time. Not too many times as you work harden the material otherwise.
Then draw a centerline on the angle that lays flat agains the fuselage rib.?
Clamped the angle agains the fuselage center rib and against the firewall angle.
Now I'm able to verify my positioning looking at the centerline through the pre drilled holes in the rib. Good alignment on the firewall side.
And good alignment on the AN3 bolt side near the top. That means my bend in the tab is good.
Drilled the first hole near the firewall and another one near the top.
I hate drilling in this thight position so once I had these two drilled, I removed the rib and drilled the rest of the holes on the workbench. Don't forget to add the F-7109 plate on the other side.
Had some time left and drilled the F-721A-L forward canopy decks to the longeron. I prefered doing this now and not earlier as we now have the attaching structure F-7105B-L outboard sub panel in place.
