Plugging along
Progress on the Pitts has been slow the last couple of weeks because of work and family. The Texas heat hasn't been helping much either.
The smoke system details are mostly worked out. I still have to finish up the hard points for mounting the tank. I have a plan for creating the mounting points for the new battery mount, but haven't cut any steel yet. I've also got some more paint stripped off of the aluminum panels. I ordered a new ACS gascolator and have made sure it will mount correctly. It is much smaller than the old gascolator and won't stick out of the belly. It's a little lighter and will reduce drag a bit. It all adds up.
I've started working on the new instrument panel layout and design. Since the radio stack on the floor is gone, the master switches, breakers and ammeter need to move up to the panel. I'm also thinking about installing the 2.25" FlightLine FL-760 radio instead of another hand held radio. The price is about right and it can be mounted much nicer than a hand held. I've pulled all the instruments out of the panel so that it can be used as a template for the new one.
No progess to report on the ailerons. I'll get back to those this week. I have the instrument panel and new belly panels at the house so that I can work on them when I have time during the week or while waiting for epoxy to cure on the wings.
The work on the fuselage is focused on getting all the little bits of welding done, so that all the steel can be blasted and coated. Thats why I've got several different projects going at the same time. I need to know if any more tabs or tubes are going to be added before painting the steel. I'm looking forward to getting the steel protected again and start the actual re-assembly.
Finally, I've put in the order for the Catto propellor. Craig was nice enough to take the time to talk about my plane and expectations a bit. Based on the plane and type of flying I'm doing, he recommended a 70x60 three blade prop. This prop should show improvements in both the low speed performance and at the top end. This has been on my to-do list several years, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out.
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