|
|
|
|
Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
|
Date: 12-17-2009
|
Number of Hours: 0.10
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: Hauling The Fuselage To The Paint Shop - Part 01
|
|
I couldn't believe it, but it was finally time to take the fuselage to the paint shop for interior painting. A side note here. This kind of represents a milestone in the construction process, at least in the way I build. Painting is the very last thing I try to do before final assembly. I would much rather take all of the gear out completely and get a good paint job and minimize the tool scratches and other abuse that can occur by painting too soon in the building process. So this day comes with a great deal of jubilation as it marks the beginning of the final assembly process and that inevitable test flight that I've been dreaming about for a year and a half (or 20 years depending on how you count).
I hired a local tow-truck company to haul the fuselage on one of those large, 8'6" wide flatbed trucks they have now for cars. The fuselage fits perfectly on top of the bed and the tipping capability of the ramp made loading and unloading a snap even with the engine and prop installed. The tow-truck driver said this was the THIRD airplane that he'd hauled for builders. So, I guess others have had the idea before me but still I thought it was a pretty good idea that I thought of... ;-)
Tom came over to give me a hand masking the giant sheet of plastic, loading and unloading the fuselage up on the truck, and taking some "action" shots with the camera. I'm happy to report that the whole fuselage hauling process was rather uneventful and it arrived at the paint shop without incident. The guys at the paint shop were excited to see an airplane arriving at the shop and I got a few pictures of the unloading. Tom also got a few shots of me talking with Kraig Maas, the owner of the paint shop, discussing some of the masking and painting details.
I got lots of pictures of the event - probably too many - but it was pretty exciting and the step-by-step shots makes it kind of fun. Kraig said they will finish the external masking tomorrow, sand, etch , and prime as well, and then paint it on Monday. I should
|
|
Ready For The Trip To The Paint Shop
|
|
Ready For The Trip To The Paint Shop
|
|
Ready For The Trip To The Paint Shop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2008-2024 Matt Dralle. All Rights Reserved.
|
