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Re: Europa-List: Let talk about Fuselage Gaps! <Flame Extinguisher>

Subject: Re: Europa-List: Let talk about Fuselage Gaps! <Flame Extinguisher>
From: N55XS <topglock@cox.net>
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 17:54:50

Well said, Brian.  Now, for your delima.  I experienced a slight gap 
problem, too, however, after checking the proper distance between the 
lower fuse flanges, where they go from vertical to horizonal, I found 
them a little close to each other.  What I did was to open it with a bit 
of wood, that I affixed with a bit of 5 minute epoxy.  This went a long 
way toward closing the gap.  The most important thing is to make sure 
that your tail fin is square and pulled down tight in the rear.  Any 
small gaps will be covered with the 4 ply of Bid that you will be 
reinforcing the seam with.  Once sanded and filled and sanded and filled 
and sanded and filled and sanded, you'll never know it was there.  The 
joint will be plenty strong...

Jeff - N55XS
64 hours...


EuropaXSA276@aol.com wrote:

>
>Lets take a deep breath and get back to building.
>
>I have a question about the way my top is fitting at the vertical seam in the

>tail area.
>
> I have an 8 to10 mm gap at the vertical line joggles on the tail section.  
>The flange on the bottom half of the fuselage will be only 13 mm wide where the

>top bonds in this area. < Probably should have cut the bottom flange wider at

>this point but did not as it was many chapters before this issue came up>
>The top is properly seated at the firewall making sure there are no bumps or 
>mold marks to keep it too far forward.
>
>I originally used ratchet straps to close this gap. It helps but the bottom 
>half of the fuselage tends to bow a bit.
>
>I have noted this same problem on one or two other airframes. Is this normal?
>
>  What is the fix?
>
>Should I fill the gap and do a lay-up on the outside of this area for 
>strength? If so how many plies and size?
>
>Brian Skelly
>Texas
>Europa # A276 TriGear
>See My build photos at:
>http://www.europaowners.org/BrianS
>
>
>  
>



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