What a great day yesterday.
The Tangerine Dream took one step closer to becoming The Tangarine Reality.
All went well - the molds released really easily. The PVA really does a good job.
I only had to separate the parting planes on both sides and then the bottom part (top half of the cowl mold) fell off onto the floor all by itself. The other half required a bit more effort but released easily once it was started from the edges.
After a bit of sanding of the sharp edges and a little Dremel work to get rid of the gelcoat that had spilled out here and there it was time to give them a clean. I just used a hose with low pressure and then a sponge with warm water. Lucky it was a nice day yesterday and I was able to leave them in the sun to dry out.
They just need waxing and PVA release and they will be good to make a part from.
Then came the messy job of getting the plug off the engine. I was very pleased to see that there were no leaks at all of the expanding foam onto the engine area.
A little job I have been meaning to do for some time came to fruition yesterday too. Making up an ID plate out of stainless steel. This is another UK CAA requirement (for identification purposes in the event of a crash and fire). It will be bonded in the cockpit area somewhere - I haven't decided where yet.
Hopefully this weekend I can start to make a cowling...
 |
| Molds all done - but will they release? |
 |
| Bottom (top) half comes off easily. |
 |
| PVA release peels off like a skin. |
 |
| After a wash - drying in the sun |
 |
| Tangarine - yeah baby! |
 |
| Now to get the plug off the engine. |
 |
| The red lines show the 'Natural nozzle' created by the tapering fuse and my straight edge cowl design. This should accelerate the hot air out the back a little and regain some of the lost energy of the cooling drag. |
 |
| After removing the plug - no foam leaks which was good to see. |
 |
| Stainless Steel ID plate - a UK CAA requirement. |
No comments:
Post a Comment