One of my recent posts outlined the installation of a new backing plate. Works perfectly!
I'll start with the right skin. Riveting the R-915A-R-1 stiffener...
R-915B-R-1 mostly done. When you don't have the benefit of having a backing plate the same size as panel you're back-riveting, the one thing to be very careful of is not riveting off the edge of the backing plate.
R-915C-R-1 done...
Remember what I said up the page a little? Well, pay attention knuckle-head (that was directed at myself). Below is what happens when you don't pay attention and attempt to rivet something just off the edge of the backing plate.
Well, it's not normally this bad as this is what I did trying to fix it, but knowing deep down that the aluminium sheet had been stretched and there's really no way back from there. I had nothing to lose as it was already screwed.
Yep - the other side looks pretty good too.
I neglected to take photos at the time as I was a little frustrated and decided it was best to turn the light out at this stage and revisit the depressing scene tomorrow.
Unfortunately, the rivet I screwed up just happened to be the third last rivet on the R-915G-R-1 stiffener. Why couldn't it have been one of the first?! I obviously decided to make this skin scrap and order another. The skin didn't really cost that much..........but the shipping price surely hurt.
Luckily, when removing the 100ish rivets from the undamaged stiffeners (so avoiding having to purchase and re-prepare all the stiffeners for the right skin again), I was able to do so without scratching them.
Let this be an important lesson in aiming to be slow and methodical....and being absolutely certain the backing plate is on the other side.
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