Rear Fuselage time...

The first step in Section 10 is to separate and prepare the stiffeners.

Below - all the F-1486's....

plus some F-1037's and a couple of F-1473A's...

On page 10-04 there's a little work involved in getting the right angles on

the F-1411D Horizontal Stabiliser Attach Bar Support Angle

I got it to here, and then had cut some weird angles to remove the excess and then file the flat edge between the angles.

Below is F-14113-L & R prior to separation. After cutting this once, I would do it differently next time by separating the two halves first and cut the angles later.

What I actually did was measured the centre point as per below and then cut the angles as you see them. I decided to draw the lines inside the angle as this is the orientation it's going to sit on the band saw bench and I need to be able to see the lines.

However, for those two lines to intersect at the back edge of the angle, those two lines needed to be offset by at least another 1.5mm. It was much more fidgety, but I got there in the end. I also ordered another piece as I have a feeling it's not going to be exactly as I want it when the two rudder stops are fitted to the fuselage. Watch this space.

This part was a little scary as I was drilling into a perfectly good Vertical Stabiliser Spar to match drill the systems hole.

As I couldn't get it near the drill press, I hope I got holes as perpendicular as I needed to.

Empennage - HS skeleton primed and ready

The tedious part's done. Time to EkoPrime.

I think it was when priming these parts, I began to have issues with my spluttering gravity fed Ozito Spray Gun. This continued for a while until I decided to cease wasting time trying to fix it and just go and buy a better one.

Here I was match drilling the Rear Spar Doubler

...and a semi close-up...

Very important to mark the holes that you shouldn't touch. Learnt that earlier.

I know this is a Horizontal Stabiliser post, but primed my new right rudder skin at the same time, so it get's a mention here.

...and dimpling the right rudder skin......again...

Empennage - Vertical Stabilizer Riveting

Today was the first time I get to rivet an external skin.

Although he looks a little crazy sometimes (even more so with a rivet gun in his mitts), I'm lucky enough to have a mate who loves working with tools and is most enthusiastic to give me a hand. Meet Rocket...

I didn't take a photo of the completed left side of the Vert Stab, but at this stage, this is as far as I can go as it now needs an inspection prior to closing up.

On to the Rudder!!

Empennage - Vertical Stabilizer Assembly

Finally getting to a position where the Vert Stab is coming together.

The second Main Spar and Doubler were prepared again and primed. This time, all the rivets were installed on the correct side...

While squeezing the AN426AD4 rivets where the VS-702 Front Spar joins VS-704 & VS-705 ribs, the squeezer scratched the front spar. This was partly due to the <90 degree angle between VS-704 and the rib 

These scratches will need to be sanded smooth and re-primed. Awkward spot.

When riveting the VS-705 rib to the front spar with AD4 rivets, the flange bent away slightly. It's not much but I'll make sure this is inspected prior to assembly.

The Vertical Stabilizer skeleton partly riveted, partly clecoed...

Vertical Stabilizer - Main Spar (take 2)

Try again shall we?

Since screwing the construction of the first Vert Stab main spar, I've added the following to the tool collection. I highly recommend doing the same.
1) adjustable set holder for the Pneumatic Dimpler/Squeezer
2) 3" Longeron Yolk for the Pneumatic Dimpler/Squeezer

As part of the match drilling process, the Vert Stab has to be clecoed together again with the new parts. I love it when it looks like part of a plane is coming together...

And these are the new parts prepped for priming:

VS-803PP Main Spar etched and dimpled

VS-808PP Main Spar Doubler etched and dimpled

Vert Stab Main Spar & Doubler ready for priming