Step 10.0 Seat backs

The seat backs are connected to the seat pans using piano hinges.  There are three rows of hinge material on the pan to effect an adjustment in the seat back position.

Here's Carol filing a notch into the end of the seat back side rails.  The side rails are made from 3/4" x 3/4" x 1/8" aluminum angle stock.

The notch allows the seat back to lie flat against the side rails with the hinge sandwiched in between.

In addition to the side rails there are stiffeners across the back of the seat which are also made from aluminum angle.  In this case the aluminum angle is only 1/16" thick.  Along the top edge of the seat back the stiffener has to nest in to a bend in the seat back.

The corner of the angle is rounded off using the belt sander and Scotch-Brite wheel to just fit the inside radius of the seat back.

And then the fit is much tighter.

I made this little drill guide the fits into the seat back bends eliminating the layout step.  Anything to speed up the boring parts is always appreciated.

In the fullness of time and after much measuring and cutting and filing and drilling and such, one gets to the point where all of the parts are collected and ready to assemble.

The sides to the back.

And eventually all of the pieces are riveted together.

And here they are.  The seat backs are connected to the seat pans using the hinges shown in the first photo. The backs are also resting on the top of the F-705 bulkhead. Nothing left to do but jump in and try out the seats for the first time.

Carol and Trina try out a bit of garage flying.

Step 9.9, Baggage compartment

The baggage compartment sits in between bulkhead F-705 and F-706, which is right behind the seats. There are 9 panels that finish the interior of this area.  The build manual has one use blind rivets to secure most of these, but I have elected to install nut plates all around so that the sides and floor of the compartment will be accessible.   As I have previously mentioned, this was primarily motivated by the possibility that I may have to repair or replace the steps someday since they seem to have a history of cracking.

Here are two of the four panels that make up the lower baggage compartment sides.  I'm in the process of adding the necessary nut plates.

Then I moved on to preparing the baggage floors for priming.

baggage compartment hanging in the paint booth.

Once all of the panels are primed it's just a simple matter to install with AN8R8 screws.  I used counter sunk types for the floors for a smooth surface, but stayed with the standard pan head type for the sides.

This is the right side baggage compartment side and floor.  At the center, the entrance for the step is visible. The white plastic do-dad is where the step mounting terminates.

Seat panels are set with pull rivets.

Rosie the riveter.

Baggage floor and side panels in place.

First test fitting of lower rear panel.

This is the center tunnel cover.  The elevator push tube and electrical wiring will eventually inhabit the center tunnel.  

The upper rear baggage panel is laid out.  Basically it's just cutting big round corners at the top and cutting in  some slots for the seat belts attachment cables to go through.

Beyond this point, there are just some plastic wear blocks to install that protect the rear panels from the seat belt cables, but that's pretty much all there is to the baggage compartment.  The seat pans and forward seat skins shown below are just a bonus for the loyal reader.  You're welcome.