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  • Writer's pictureMatt DeCraene

Tank attachment nut plates

I started on the right spar by drilling, countersinking, riveting, and then countersinking the nutplates on the top flange of the main spar. Here is the labeled spar, since Van's cautions about accidentally building a wing upside down. An easy indicator for the bottom side of the spar is the nutplates for the inspection covers.


Drilled and countersunk for the nutplates.

This next picture is riveted and countersunk for the #8 fasteners. It took a moment to realize the reason for countersinking these after attaching the nutplate and using the undersized countersink bit. The flange is thin enough that a #8 countersink breaks through, and you lose the piloting action of the bit. Using the smaller bit takes advantage of the nutplate for a pilot.

I will touch these up with primer after finishing up the other side

The spar flipped over for the other side. I ended up short some of the #6 nutplates, so they will have to wait until Spruce delivers some to finish this out. I did get the other nutplates installed in these locations though.


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