May 2, 2001
Whoa, an update! Yes folks, your intrepid builder has run into a snag, and this one required a new part. I do have myself to blame, I admit. It appears that the right side tip rib was mounted a mere 2 mm too far forward. It doesn't sound like much, but when you consider that the entire leading edge of the stabilizer is shaped and measured from these two end ribs, the skin was grossly off by the time it got across the whole thing. I had about 6mm of space between the end of the skin and the rear end of the bottom flange. Stupid stupid stupid, and a $35 mistake.
On an up side, I still have the elevator to work on, so I'll get to work on that while waiting for the end rib. ZAC indicated that it will ship tomorrow UPS, so I'll see it next week sometime.
At least I've now made a mistake. On the surface, it sounds like a bad thing, but at least I now know how to avoid this, and it didn't happen on a main wing!
Oh, and my camera is fixed. For now.
More later!