Oil Cooler Inlet Flange Part 2 and Paint Prep

The focus had been on getting the cowls ready for paint on Friday. The oil cooler inlet flange was standing in the way of finish shaping the lower cowl. Last night I worked on making the other half of the flange that stays bonded to the cowl.

The "female" part of the flange was machined using the same methods as the other half, other than I tried to use hole saws to cut the material out of the center. In the end, the drill method was quicker and easier. 

The two part were machined with a slight interference fit in the hope that I would not need to use fasteners to secure it. So far so good. 

The removable part is on the left. The part on the right will be mated to the front of the cowl. 

Both parts mated together. They still need to be cleaned up and polished. 

Working on the placement and alignment. It will be glassed into place tomorrow.

While I worked on the flange, Scott worked on the paint prep. The inlet flange took much longer than expected and without Scott's help, I don't think it would have been ready for flight before leaving for Mojave next week. Thanks Scott!!!

Scott is coming to help again for the next few days. Next up will be finishing up the flange mating and paint prep work. One the cowls are ready for paint, Scott is going to shoot them while I finish up the right side cooling baffle and a long list of little things.

This week has been grueling, but we are on pace to get it in the air on Sunday, in the trailer on Monday and on the road for Mojave on Tuesday morning!