Well, here it is. Good ol’ # 618. It’s already got 2500 miles on it (from riding in the back of my pickup, face forward, all the way from California) but you can’t tell it by looking at it. Actually to the layman (or laywoman) it may look like a boat or something. But, I assure you it is an aircraft fuselage.
It is being built using composite building construction, which means that there is more than one material being used - in this case 4 or 5
1. Fiberglass cloth.
Specially designed close woven fiberglass to give strength.
2. Special foam.
Foam that can be shaped for aerodynamics.
3. Epoxy.
Special epoxy, that hardens with the fiberglass and encases and
becomes part of the foam, a “shell” so to speak, that is
stronger and more suited to the particular use than most metals
used in commercially produced general aviation aircraft.
4. Microspheres.
Tiny microscopic glass balls that fill in the holes and gaps and
help to bind the materials together.
5. Flox.
A form of cotton that is used for many things, but when mixed
with epoxy, can become very hard and durable.
6. Wood.
For flat areas. Combines with the other materials.
7. Steel, Aluminum, Stainless steel, copper, Kevlar, plastic and
leather.
Most of the remaining materials used in the airframe, coverings,
flight controls, engine controls, antennas, windows, gear and
engine mounts and so on.
So, there is more to this thing than a boat. And just as important as what is used for the construction of the aircraft, is how it is used.
You can check on some of the other builders’ sites to see how they did it or check back in a little while and you’ll see more from me.
Here is what it should look like when it is finished
