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Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey

Page 9

Weekend 28: October 8th, 9th & 10th, 2004

After finishing the ribs, we started the leading edges and added more rib compression struts. All went very well—even the new inspector was impressed with our progress over the last seven months.

The new inspector was speechless . . .	. . . well almost.
After a few hours . . .	. . . then a few more hours . . .
. . . we have one half of a wing.	Inspectors
Inspectors	Inspectors

Weekend 29: October 15th, 16th & 17th, 2004

Work continues on the wings at a good pace. We finished the leading edge and tip of the left wing and cut the slots for the strut mounts. We finally received our matching seats and side pockets. (Now . . . that didn't sound sarcastic . . . did it??)

Left wing finished. (Well . . . not quite.)	Finally! A good hole on the first try!
One of the new seats.	Which do you like ??
We should have kept both the silver seats and lived with the flaws!!!

Weekend 30: October 22nd, 23rd & 24th, 2004

We finished the wing rib compression struts. They should stay put. Then we started drilling holes—lots of holes!

Every rib got two struts	Every strut got two rivets.
Every rivet got chaffing tape.	Then every strut got a strip of the covering fabric.
After that, the first three ribs got drilled every 2 1/2".	The rest will be every 3 1/2".
That’s one hell of a lot of holes!!!

Weekend 31: October 29th, 30th & 31st, 2004

With the cooler weather, we finally started covering the tail feathers. It's not as scary as it sounds—turns out to be quite fun if not for the fumes. (As Rick James might say, "Poly-Tak is a hell of a drug!" ) Keep the doors open. The wings will be fun, but down the road. For now, we finish the tail with paint first.

Started with the elevators.	Ready to start shrinking at 250° F., 300° F., then 350° F.
First coat of poly brush.	The two inch tape.
After the three inch tape.	The elevators are ready for more poly brush.

Weekend 32: November 5th, 6th & 7th, 2004

And the covering continues. One weekend equals one vertical fin and rudder. The more covering I do the better it's starting to look. I just might be half good at it by the time we get to the wing. It is time consuming, but fun.

Near ready to shrink.	After 225°, 250°, 300°, 325° and 350° degrees.
Ready for the 2 and 3 inch tapes.	Three inch tape going on.
Tapes are near done.	We owe Coleen a new iron. This one will never smell the same again.
And there you go—one vertical fin and rudder.